Biophilic Approach to Design for Children

Purpose In recent years, design approaches that offer sustainable solutions have been preferred widely. Although these sustainable design approaches provide solutions for physical context, they are not able to solve the problems on psychological side of this situation. These psychological problems...

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Main Authors: Nihan Ünal, Esin Sarıman Özen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Konya Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Design 2021-12-01
Series:Iconarp International Journal of Architecture and Planning
Subjects:
Online Access:https://iconarp.ktun.edu.tr/index.php/iconarp/article/view/665
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author Nihan Ünal
Esin Sarıman Özen
author_facet Nihan Ünal
Esin Sarıman Özen
author_sort Nihan Ünal
collection DOAJ
description Purpose In recent years, design approaches that offer sustainable solutions have been preferred widely. Although these sustainable design approaches provide solutions for physical context, they are not able to solve the problems on psychological side of this situation. These psychological problems have been observed both on adults and children. This research aims to examine the benefits of enabling children who spend their time in built environments to experience nature through Biophilic Design. Methodology 140 children between the ages of 3 and 5 from two different pre-school institutions participated in the study. Participation criteria were to be volunteer, a pre-school student, and accessible. The pictures drawn by the children in reply to the question ‘What is nature like?’ were analysed by using content analysis and cognitive mapping method. The data obtained from the study were analysed and the results were presented as median, mean values ​​± standard deviations (SD), numbers, and percentages. The compliance of the total score to normal distribution according to age and gender independent variables was examined by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Non-parametric tests were used in the analysis, p<0.050 was considered statistically significant. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teachers of the participants. Findings According to the age groups, the scores of the older age group were found to be significantly higher than the younger age group (p=0.000). When the relationship between total score and gender was examined, no statistically significant difference was found (p=0.074). Research Limitations/Implications In the study, even though the necessary permissions were obtained to carry out planned studies with preschool students, due to the prejudices of teachers and administrators, the work that was wanted to be carried out with children was made difficult in some cases. Originality Study originality; in the context of Biophilic Design, is owed to the age range of the chosen focus group, and with the help of this study, the emphasis on what biophilic design can add to the lives of children.
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spelling doaj.art-c461991973de438a958c072d80a544212023-02-15T16:21:13ZengKonya Technical University Faculty of Architecture and DesignIconarp International Journal of Architecture and Planning2147-93802021-12-019210.15320/ICONARP.2021.187Biophilic Approach to Design for ChildrenNihan Ünal0Esin Sarıman Özen1Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar ÜniversitesiMimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar ÜniversitesiPurpose In recent years, design approaches that offer sustainable solutions have been preferred widely. Although these sustainable design approaches provide solutions for physical context, they are not able to solve the problems on psychological side of this situation. These psychological problems have been observed both on adults and children. This research aims to examine the benefits of enabling children who spend their time in built environments to experience nature through Biophilic Design. Methodology 140 children between the ages of 3 and 5 from two different pre-school institutions participated in the study. Participation criteria were to be volunteer, a pre-school student, and accessible. The pictures drawn by the children in reply to the question ‘What is nature like?’ were analysed by using content analysis and cognitive mapping method. The data obtained from the study were analysed and the results were presented as median, mean values ​​± standard deviations (SD), numbers, and percentages. The compliance of the total score to normal distribution according to age and gender independent variables was examined by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Non-parametric tests were used in the analysis, p<0.050 was considered statistically significant. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teachers of the participants. Findings According to the age groups, the scores of the older age group were found to be significantly higher than the younger age group (p=0.000). When the relationship between total score and gender was examined, no statistically significant difference was found (p=0.074). Research Limitations/Implications In the study, even though the necessary permissions were obtained to carry out planned studies with preschool students, due to the prejudices of teachers and administrators, the work that was wanted to be carried out with children was made difficult in some cases. Originality Study originality; in the context of Biophilic Design, is owed to the age range of the chosen focus group, and with the help of this study, the emphasis on what biophilic design can add to the lives of children.https://iconarp.ktun.edu.tr/index.php/iconarp/article/view/665biophilic designdesign for childrennature
spellingShingle Nihan Ünal
Esin Sarıman Özen
Biophilic Approach to Design for Children
Iconarp International Journal of Architecture and Planning
biophilic design
design for children
nature
title Biophilic Approach to Design for Children
title_full Biophilic Approach to Design for Children
title_fullStr Biophilic Approach to Design for Children
title_full_unstemmed Biophilic Approach to Design for Children
title_short Biophilic Approach to Design for Children
title_sort biophilic approach to design for children
topic biophilic design
design for children
nature
url https://iconarp.ktun.edu.tr/index.php/iconarp/article/view/665
work_keys_str_mv AT nihanunal biophilicapproachtodesignforchildren
AT esinsarımanozen biophilicapproachtodesignforchildren