Analyzing the Impact of Material, Formal, and Aesthetic Features on Stress Reactions Using Biophilic Patterns

Stress, by the definition set forth by Cohen et al., is inherently environmental, yet, somehow, in a world where we control many major aspects of our environment, stress is becoming an increasingly prevalent and severe concern. The modern environment, unnaturally textureless, dull, and lifeless is not only unstimulating, but lacks the biophilic connection to nature that has been shown to relieve psychological and physiological stress. 

In this study, we examine the relationship between biophilic environments and stress through deliberate stress induction and stress reduction exercises with a focus on alternative biophilic materials (bamboo, textured concrete). In this study, biophilic environments were found to significantly decrease physiological stress responses while mindfulness meditation was found to significantly increase mood and decrease somatic distress. The results of this study demonstrate that further consideration should be invested into not only how, and out of what, our environments are formed but also into the anticipated experience of occupants.