Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
PhD Researcher in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In a world where environmental crises and public health challenges are increasingly prevalent, biophilic design has emerged as a strategic bridge between humans and nature, playing a pivotal role in enhancing quality of life. Despite the growing adoption of this approach in architecture, no systematic review has yet specifically focused on biophilic design in the context of housing. This study aims to identify and classify biophilic design patterns and strategies in residential environments, with a focus on interior, exterior, and Intermediate spaces, and to evaluate their impact on users. The research adopts a qualitative, applied approach, with data collected through library and documentary studies. The methodology is descriptive, based on 83 selected studies, including English-language sources from 2000 to September 21, 2025, sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, and Persian-language sources from 1390 to 30 Shahrivar 1404 (September 21, 2025) from NoorMags and SID databases. Sources were chosen that specifically address residential biophilic design and its patterns. Findings reveal that 36% of studies utilized Browning’s (2014) framework, which includes three main categories:“Nature in the Space”, “Natural Analogues” and “Nature of the Space” and 14 sub-patterns. The results indicate that the “Nature in the Space” category, with an average frequency of 60.3%, is the most prominent, with patterns such as “visual connection with nature,” “connection with natural systems,” and “dynamic and diffuse light” being the most frequently applied. Additionally, the majority of proposed strategies pertain to interior spaces, particularly the “visual connection with nature” pattern. This study underscores the importance of enhancing residents’ well-being as a central goal of biophilic housing design. Ultimately, the findings highlight biophilic design as an effective tool for addressing urbanization challenges, bridging the gap between humans and nature, and improving quality of life, while laying the groundwork for future research, the development of new standards, and related policy-making.
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