An Exploration of Biophilia and Its Implications in Design of the Built Environment Exemplification in a Site Specific Design for a Corporate Retreat

• Other Authors: Taylor, Laurie K. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Interior architecture
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1648

For thousands of years our ancestors lived the majority of their lives outside of walls and solely depended on the natural environment to sustain life. Today, Americans spend 87% of their lives indoors within the confines of steel, wood and drywall, blocking out the natural world (Klepeis et. al, 2001). This thesis will explore the theory of biophilia, the idea that human beings have an innate and evolutionarily based affinity for the natural environment. This thesis will examine the effects the natural and built environment have on human health and well-being. The emphasis of the thesis is to understand and utilize, in a design, how the built environment can connect people with the natural world. The culminations of research lead to the development and design of a corporate retreat facility for corporate groups. The goal for the design will be to create a connection between the natural environment and the users as well as to unify the built environment with the natural environment. The retreat facility will also be designed to encourage socializing, creativity and collaboration. The design will accommodate corporate groups of up to fifty persons and will provide sleeping accommodations, food service and meeting spaces. === A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts. === Fall Semester, 2007. === October 26, 2007. === Biophilic Design, Human-Nature Connection, Biophilia, Restorative Environments, Corporate Retreat, Sustainable Design === Includes bibliographical references. === Peter Munton, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Eric Wiedegreen, Committee Member.