Assessing the Impact of Biophilic Design on Office Workers' Well-being

Thesis Abstract

The contemporary workplace environment is increasingly recognizing the importance of design strategies that enhance employee well-being, with biophilic design emerging as a promising approach rooted in the natural affinity humans have towards nature. However, empirical evidence quantifying the impact of biophilic elements on office workers' psychological and physiological well-being remains limited and fragmented. This study aims to systematically assess the influence of biophilic design features on the well-being of office workers in urban corporate settings, providing empirical insights into its efficacy and informing best practices for sustainable office design. The specific objectives include identifying key biophilic design elements that affect well-being, measuring the psychological and physiological responses of office workers to these elements, and developing a model to predict well-being outcomes based on design features. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative surveys and physiological measurements with qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The quantitative component involves a sample of 300 office workers from three corporate offices in the city center that have recently incorporated biophilic elements, such as indoor plants, natural light, water features, and natural materials. Stratified random sampling ensures representativeness across age, gender, and job roles. Data collection instruments include standardized questionnaires such as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), perceived stress scales, and environmental satisfaction surveys, complemented by physiological measures like heart rate variability and cortisol levels to assess stress responses. Qualitative data are gathered through semi-structured interviews with 30 participants to capture nuanced perceptions of the work environment. Data analysis employs statistical techniques such as multiple regression analysis to examine relationships between biophilic features and well-being variables, while physiological data are analyzed through ANOVA to detect significant differences pre- and post-intervention. Thematic analysis is used to interpret qualitative interview data, uncovering contextual factors influencing perceptions and responses. The theoretical frameworks guiding the study include Attention Restoration Theory (ART), which explains cognitive benefits derived from natural environments, and the Biophilia Hypothesis, supporting the intrinsic human tendency towards nature. Expected findings suggest that biophilic design substantially improves psychological well-being indicators, such as reduced perceived stress and enhanced mood, and normalizes physiological stress markers among office workers. The study anticipates identifying specific design features—such as increased daylight exposure and natural vegetation—that exert the strongest positive effects. These results are expected to contribute novel empirical evidence demonstrating the quantifiable benefits of biophilic design in workplace settings. This research advances current knowledge by integrating empirical physiological data with subjective well-being measures, offering a robust and multi-dimensional perspective on biophilic design's impact. It provides a validated predictive model linking design features with employee outcomes, which can serve as a strategic guide for architects and facilities managers in creating healthier work environments. The study concludes that incorporating biophilic elements is a cost-effective, sustainable intervention for improving employee well-being and productivity, recommending policymakers and organization leaders adopt evidence-based biophilic strategies in office design. Furthermore, the findings highlight areas for future research, such as longitudinal studies to assess long-term benefits and the integration of biophilic principles in remote and hybrid work models.