Study provides guidance for the biophilic design of childcare facilities Biophilic design aims “to integrate and use the characteristics of various natural elements in the architectural environment to expose people to nature” in order to bring the positive effects of nature to urban or built environments. This study examines biophilic design principles applied in childcare settings, as well as children’s guardians’ preferences for biophilic design elements, to provide insight on how to create optimal environments for children’s development.
A review of the existing literature was conducted to identify established patterns of biophilic design. Additionally, twenty childcare facilities in Japan utilizing biophilic design were selected as case studies. Biophilic design patterns identified in the case studies were compared with those identified in the literature to classify the characteristics of biophilic design patterns utilized in childcare facilities. A survey consisting of 40 items, organized into nine main biophilic design patterns, was developed based on the case study findings. The surveys utilized photographs of biophilic design elements and asked children’s guardians to rank the level of importance for each element on a five-point scale. The survey was administered to 214 guardians of children who ranged in age from three to seven years. The far majority of respondents were female (89%) and most were 30–39 years old (66%) and had one child (53%). The surveys were scored to determine which design elements are of greatest importance to children’s guardians.
Overall, the biophilic design pattern characteristics found to be of greatest importance to children’s guardians focused on creating open spaces for observation and monitoring of children as well as providing for the observation and view of natural ecosystems by opening each space. Children’s guardians also indicated the importance of creating friendly and engaging environments through the incorporation of nature-oriented play areas and dynamic and diffuse lighting that enable children to receive a variety of rich sensory information.
The findings of the study provide guidance for the design and planning of childcare facilities based on biophilic design. The main conclusions of the study indicate that design of childcare facilities should incorporate: 1) a view of the natural outside ecosystem which may support children’s concentration and reduce stress; 2) open space that enables observation and monitoring of children; 3) various sensory experiences related to nature, including visual, tactile, auditory, and olfactory experiences; 4) interesting and familiar design using natural elements to stimulate children’s curiosity (e.g. sculptures imitating forms of nature such as trees); and 5) hiding places that provide a refuge. Further research is needed to examine children’s perspectives of biophilic design in childcare facilities.
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