Title page for ETD etd-11132007-122305

Type of Document

Thesis

Author

Taylor, Laurie Kathleen

URN

etd-11132007-122305

Title

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

Degree

Master of Fine Arts

Department

Interior Design, Department of

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Peter Munton	Committee Chair
Eric Wiedegreen	Committee Member
Lisa Waxman	Committee Member

Keywords

Biophilic Design
Human-Nature Connection
Biophilia
Restorative Environments
Corporate Retreat
Sustainable Design

Date of Defense

2007-10-26

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

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.

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