Using VR to Enrich Architectural Biophilic Education

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Architecture Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Minya University, Minya, Egypt, Correspondence:

2 Architecture Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt,

3 Architecture Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt, ebrashy0072000@yahoo.com.

Abstract

Exposure to the natural patterns of living forms has been shown to hasten recovery after surgery, making biophilic design a powerful tool in clinical settings. The calculated effect is perceptible and can potentially improve modern building design. This study aims to develop a high-quality, modern architectural design by employing biophilic architecture to address a gap in current architectural products: a lack of attention to detail in creating spaces that foster a meaningful connection with nature. Humans have always had a special connection to nature, and this affinity has only deepened as human civilizations have spread across the globe. This connection is the basis for the “biophilic design” concept, a novel approach that can improve the design experience by incorporating natural elements. Case examples illustrate biophilic design, showing the potential and possibilities of making the best use of the space to realize biophilic architectural designs. For modern Egyptian architecture to develop a specialized vocabulary in line with the biophilic design concept, many parameters defined as healing aspects are used in this research. The methodology follows a combined strategy between experimental and case study methods. The empirical section describes a virtual reality experience examined by a group of senior architecture students who visited the cases of the study virtually to inspire them with high-quality architectural design ideas. To extract the most important design considerations from this experiment, they collected data through a questionnaire; the outcome is a framework of biophilic design considerations in architectural education.

Keywords

References

  1. Wilson, E.O. Biophilia; Harvard University Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 1984.
  2. Almusaed, A. Biophilic and Bioclimatic Architecture: Analytical Therapy for the Next Generation of Passive Sustainable Architecture; Springer: London, UK, 2010.
  3. Ardiani, Y.; Prawata, A. Application of biophilic architecture in apartment design. In IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Eco Engineering Development, Solo, Indonesia, 13–14 November 2019; IOP Publishing Ltd.: Bristol, UK, 2020.
  4. Yen, T. From Biophilic Architecture to Biophilic Cities. In Springer Briefs in Architectural Design and Technology; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2019.
  5. Kellert, S.R.; Heerwagen, J.H.; Mador, M.L. (Eds.) Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life; John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2008.
  6. Ramzy, N. Biophilic qualities of historical architecture: In quest of the timeless terminologies of ‘life’ in architectural expression. In Sustainable Cities and Society; Elsevier Ltd.: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2014.
  7. Joye, Y. Architectural Lessons from Environmental Psychology: The Case of Biophilic Architecture. Rev. Gen. Psychol. 2007, 11, 305–328.
  8. Gullone, E. The biophilia hypothesis and life in the 21st century: Increasing mental health or increasing pathology? J. Happiness Stud. 2000, 1, 293–322. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010043827986.
  9. Browning, W.; Ryan, C. 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design Improving Health & Well-Being in the Built Environment; Terrapin Bright Green LLC.: New York, NY, USA, 2014.
  10. Wilson, E.O. Biophilia and the conservation ethic. In The Biophilic Hypothesis; Kellert, S.R., Osborne, W.E., Eds.; Island Press: Washington, DC, USA, 1993.
  11. Terrapin Bright Green. Kickstarter Commercial Headquarters; Terrapin Bright Green: New York, NY, USA, 2016. Available online: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/ (accessed on February 2023).
  12. Terrapin Bright Green. Cookfox Architecture Studio; Terrapin Bright Green: New York, NY, USA, 2015. Available online: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com (accessed on February 2023).
  13. Ojamaa, H. Enhancing The Human-Nature Connection Through Biophilic Design In the Built Environment: A Branch Library on the Banks of Lake Union; ProQuest LLC (University of Washington): Seattle, WA, USA, url; http://hdl.handle.net/1773/35091,  2015.
    1. Bashabsheh, A.K.; Alzoubi, H.H.; Ali, M.Z. The application of virtual reality technology in architectural pedagogy for building constructions. Alex. Eng. J. 2019, 58, 713–723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2019.06.002.
  14. Cadaviecoa, J.F.; Goulao, M.d.F.; Costalesc, A.F. Using Augmented Reality and m-learning to optimize students performance in Higher Education. Procedia-Soc. Behav. Sci. 2012, 46, 2970–2977.
  15. Pujol, L. Archaeology, museums and virtual reality. Digithum 2004.
  16. Anna, L.; Gall, K. What Do We Know about On-line Museums? A Study about Current Situation of Virtual Art Museums. In Proceedings of the International Conference Transforming Culture in the Digital Age, Tartu, Estonia, 14–16 April 2010; pp. 208–219.
  17. Corcoran, F.; Demaine, J.; Picard, M.; Dicaire, L.; Taylor, J. Inuit 3D: An Interactive Virtual 3D Web Exhibition. In Proceedings of the Museums and the Web 2002, Boston, MA, USA, 17–20 April 2002.
  18. Available online: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/ar/monuments/prince-taz-palace (accessed on).
  19. Available online: https://www.elwatannews.com/news/details/5892646 (accessed on).
  20. Available online: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kickstarter-Spring-16F.pdf (accessed on).
  21. Sarpal, S.; Nangia, A. Trends in Use of Virtual Reality (VR) Technology in Science Education: A Systematic Review. Indian journal of educational technology, ISSN 2581-8325, Volume 4, Issue 2, July 2022, pages 225–242.
  22. Available online: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/blog/category/project-profiles/ (accessed on February 2023).
International Design Journal
Volume 14, Issue 1 - Serial Number 59
January and February 2024
Pages 147-162

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics