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2017 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

Designing Access to Nature for Residential Buildings

Author : Nick V. Baker

Published in: Smart City Networks

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

The popular aphorism that ‘nature is good for you’ is explored by reviewing a number of studies measuring the impact of nature, and its deprivation, on subjects. These range from well-being in dementia patients to the development of cognitive and motor skills in preschool children. With sufficient evidence that access to nature is indeed good for you, and providing a pragmatic (if not rigorously scientific) definition of nature, the paper moves on to identify the key design parameters that have impact on our access to nature.
The work proposes a spatial model that consists of zones, links and qualities. Zones can be inside, edge, near or far, these corresponding to the building interior, the building envelope, the immediate surroundings and the distant landscape. Between these zones are links that are either access or sensory. All the above zones and links can be ascribed qualities. Whilst there is too little data at present to propose a quantitative calibration, the model may be useful to a designer for ordering and balancing various conflicting design decisions. Finally, other issues relating to nature are discussed. These include attracting wildlife into the near zone and facilitating gardening and pet-keeping.

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Footnotes
1
Wilson’s (1984) biophilia hypothesis is based on the premise that our attachment to and interest in animals stems from the strong possibility that human survival was partly dependent on signals from animals in the environment indicating safety or threat. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that now, if we see animals at rest or in a peaceful state, this may signal to us safety, security and feelings of well-being which in turn may trigger a state where personal change and healing are possible (https://​en.​wikipedia.​org/​wiki/​Animal-assisted_​therapy#cite_​note-4).
 
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Metadata
Title
Designing Access to Nature for Residential Buildings
Author
Nick V. Baker
Copyright Year
2017
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61313-0_1