Dissertation Abstract

Approximately 57 per cent of full-time workers reported psychological distress. Stress affects the productivity, health, and well-being of individuals. A new study suggests that exposure to nature, components of design, and biophilic architecture can provide a way to relieve work stress. This dissertation draws together a broad range of information from neuroscience and environmental psychology, including Attention Recovery Theory (ART), psycho-evolutionary theory, Kellert's biophilic design elements, and four case studies, to propose important nature-based indoor architecture solutions to occupational stress reduction. It suggests that direct and indirect access to nature has the greatest impact on stress reduction. The importance of the Integrated Design Process (IDP), Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) and implementation issues for biophilic-centred design processes are design strategies are suggested accordingly.