Study highlights biophilic library design elements that help children experience natureBiophilic design elements and patterns intend to offer sustainable strategies to link people and nature in indoor settings. The purpose of this study is to suggest methods to incorporate biophilic design patterns in children’s libraries. The recommendations are based on an exploration of case studies of libraries employing biophilic design as well as the perspectives of children’s caregivers on important design features.
The researchers first reviewed and summarized patterns of biophilic design identified by previous studies of children’s libraries. Analysis of these case studies considered the characteristics of 20 libraries, located in the United States, Canada, Australia, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Colombia. Based on the biophilic design patterns identified in these case studies, a survey tool was developed to gather insight from children’s caregivers. The survey utilized photographs of biophilic design elements and asked caregivers to rank the level of importance of each element on a five-point scale. The survey was administered to 261 parents/caregivers (over 80% female) visiting children’s libraries.
Review of the case studies identified biophilic design patterns used in children’s libraries focused on nature inside the space, the production of nature, and characteristics of space. Design patterns offering nature inside the space included providing both a visual and non-visual (e.g. tactile or olfactory) connection with nature, dynamic/natural light, and features that provide connection with ecosystems and enable visitors to feel the changes of nature, such as seasons and weather. Production of nature patterns involved design elements that symbolize natural patterns and shapes (e.g. trees, sky), natural materials, and a complex and systematic environment where visitors can receive rich sensory information from natural spaces such as landscaping, green walkways, or water. Characteristics of space design features focused on the provision of shelter as an accessible hideout that also provides views of open spaces. Further, survey results indicate that the factors ranked by children’s caregivers as most important included spaces where children could be easily viewed, visual connection with nature, connection with ecosystems, dynamic lighting, and natural materials.
The study recommends that children’s library design should incorporate learning spaces that provide for: 1) the experience of nature where natural ecosystems can be viewed and observed; 2) hideout or shelter spaces; 3) the viewing of complex natural ecosystems; 4) learning, interaction, and play; and 5) engagement with sensory information created through the incorporation of natural elements where children experience the materials and forms of nature to the greatest extent possible. These recommendations offer an approach for the incorporation of biophilic design patterns that may meet children’s needs to experience and interact with the natural environment.
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