Major research project

Why is it important to consider environmental features in architecture?

This project is split into two parts

Part: 1

Thesis statement
Introduction
Methodology
What is primary and secondary research?
What is qualitive and quantitative data?
Interview
Survey questions
Primary research
What is biophilic architecture?
Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction
Sustainability and Resource Conservation
Comfort and Well-being
Aesthetic and Cultural Value
Negatives of environmental features within architecture
Semester 2 proposed plan
Literature review
Conclusion

Thesis statement

In this project I will learn to understand the uses and effects of environmental features in order to apply this knowledge to an architectural project based on both primary and secondary research.

Introduction

For this project I have been asked to compose a major research project for my third year spanning across both semesters, this project is centred around one specific question of choice, that requires both primary and secondary research in order to come to an adequate conclusion, with this conclusion of research it will allow me to produce a project in my second semester. For this project I composed the question “Why is it important to consider environmental features in architecture?” as I believe it is very important and beneficial to include nature into architecture. However, with this research I will be able to understand the opinion of the general public on this matter and with the result of this project produce an adequate project within semester 2. In order to gain both my primary and secondary research I will be using a variety of research methods including survey questions for my primary research to acquire accurate responses to my proposed question.

Methodology

In my research I will be analysing the question “Why is it important to consider environmental features in architecture?” I aim to understand how people feel about environmental features in architecture and design leading to the decision should or shouldn’t there be environmental features in future design developments. In order to find out this understanding I will be producing both primary and secondary research within the assignment. For my primary research I plan to use surveys as this method is considered an effective way in order to get responses to a set of specific questions, with these questions I will give the contributor freedom to use as little or as much detail as they choose, with this I can ask large groups of people to all give their opinion on the chosen questions selected therefore, leading to an outcome of both qualitative and quantitative data to benefit my research. I have led to the choice to produce my survey on google docs as it allows me to produce my survey digitally to the public through publications on my personal and business social media platforms providing greater coverage. On top of this I have produced comparison images to give to the public in order to understand the point I am trying to make and covey how they feel about my research. Also I have taken into consideration some methods I wish to use in order to increase my chances at receiving responses, one of these being the pub I work at part time possesses a lot of elderly individuals therefore some of these might not be as digitally advanced as some of the younger generation as a result of this I aim to additionally produce my survey in a physical form which allows them to fill out in person and give back to me as a believed this may be easier than doing it digitally.

What is primary and secondary research?

With the knowledge of how I am going to collect my primary research, what is it? Primary research is data that is collected by yourself, this can be done through a variety of different research methods. These including, surveys, interviews and questionnaires, these are especially useful as that allow you to purpose your own questions and ideas to those you are trying to reach and collect data from. This primary data is useful because it allows the researcher to find more accurate data which will be directly based on their research. Although there can be issues when it comes to primary research this can include researcher bias on data as researchers can push specific outcomes through specific wording and targeting certain audiences. In addition to this there can be difficulty gaining specific data if the data is too niece therefore making the research difficult and time consuming to collect.

Leading on from this I will also be conducting secondary research in order to understand how environmental features are used in the building industry and the effects they have on people and the environment around them. This secondary data is collected from an alternate researchers work that they have done previously, this data is useful because it saves a large amount of time accessing data and can provide related data towards your research, however this data must be referenced back to the researcher in order to gain credit for their work, although secondary data lacks in accuracy and relevance as it’s not all directly linked to your own personal research.

What is qualitive and quantitative data?

With my research I will gain a variety of both qualitative and quantitative data which I will need to analyse in different ways. (Bilardi, E, 2023) mentions that qualitative data is non-statistical responses, which means that each response can be analysed individually to then be compared against one another. However quantitative data is numerical data that can be analysed differently often being plotted into graphs and making comparisons and assumptions based on the graphs findings.

Interview

In order to validate my survey I decided to do an interview in order to gain an alternate perspective and receive their feedback from the questions proposed.

To do this we sat down and I gave them the draught survey questions (See Appendix 1) for them to read through, once completed they stated they had some issues with the proposed questions as they seemed to find them too difficult to answer without understanding the topic of question in more detail. This information was useful because I wanted to propose the survey to as many people as possible to get a wide range of views and increased chances of the survey being completed as the more responses given provides me with more data to analyse. The questions that posed the most issues for being too complicated were, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 .

As a result of these comments I made appropriate changes adding short sentences below briefly explaining what I am trying to ask in order to help the reader understand, additionally I decided to remove question 3 as I did not believe it to be necessary with the new written questions (See Appendix 2).

Survey questions

After much consideration and using the feedback provided from my interview I was able to conclude the question choice for my purposed survey in order to gain the majority of my primary research. I wanted to try make the survey short but still providing the choice to the participant to input detail into their answers as I believe if the survey was too long then participants would be less inclined to answer the survey in full. In addition to this I wanted to make it easy and open to access for anyone therefore I made the survey digitally using google forms as this allows anyone to access the survey through their phone.

Although I have taken considerations when collecting this data, as one method I aim to receive responses will be through the pub regular visitors to answer my survey questions, however these individuals are elderly and not as technologically aware as the younger generations, therefore I have provided these individuals with print out copies as it will be easier for them to fill in and allows me to collect data from them and their age group.

Primary research

In order to understand the publics opinion and knowledge of biophilic design I have produced a survey below. With this survey it will help me understand a general understanding of how the public feels about the uses and appearance of environmental features within architecture, therefore showcasing to me whether or not my project has the correct goal of producing biophilic architecture. Therefore leading to the outcome of should environmental features within architecture be considered.

See Appendix 2&3 : for the questions relevance and expected result.

Survey Questions:

As a result of my distribution efforts I was able to revieve 58 individual reviews which can be seen individually within appendix: 3 . However I will be showcasing some responses and graphs for analysis.

This graph above shows a clear trend, this being that the majority of individuals who took part in the survey noticed environmental features within buildings rather than not. This graph depicts that 19.6% of individuals voted 6 on the scale between 1 and 10 therefore they felt as if 60% of the time they noticed environmental features within architecture as a result of this I believe that its an important feature to be considered visually when designing an architectural project.

This chart depicts that there is a large belief towards the idea of environmental features causing both physical and mental benefits, this is evident by the drastic divide between the noted responses of this survey. As seen above 96.5% of individuals believe in these benefits, comparatively 1.8% of the survey did not believe in these claims and 1.8% were unsure about the benefits.

Question 7 is a visual question asking indidviduals for their preferances from the 4 images above, this chart breaks down their prefereance between the 4 choices, as you can see here this chart depicts there is a clear preferance to the implication of environmental features in comparion to their not being any features as 100% of indivudals voted for either image showcxased with environmental features however we can use this data to compare the level in which inidivduals prefer the amount of environemental features usedd as one contains more than the other. Although 21.1% of individuals liked the implication of environmental featured showcased in image 1. The peak of this data is towards image 4 in which 78.9% of individuals prefered this amount of envionmental features used this being 3.7 times the amount as image 3. As a result of this a clear conclusion can be made through my survey there is a preference and knowledge of environmental features/biophilic desing with a preference to these ideal therefore I will take this into consideration within my second semester project.

What is biophilic architecture?

In terms of architecture, biophilia refers to the integration of nature in order to enhance and improve well-being. As mentioned by the University College of Estate Management some methods of incorporating biophilic design into architecture include, indoor plants, the use of natural materials, incorporation of water elements, mimicking natural environments, Utilising natural lighting and adding green spaces making nature accessible (University College of Estate Management, 2024).

As mentioned previously biophilic architecture provides a range of benefits, these include, support to individuals mental and physical health, sharpens senses, improves productivity, increases retention, reduction of energy requirements, it encourages advancements in technology and helps to protect nature as stated by Forest homes (Foresthomesstore, N.D).

Below are some real life examples of architecture with biophilic design present:

(Rosselli, 2014)

(Freedomz, 2019)

(Divodira, 2023)

Considering environmental features in building design is crucial for several reasons, as it impacts sustainability, energy efficiency, and overall well-being. Here are some key factors:

Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Incorporating environmental features such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and passive solar heating reduces the need for artificial lighting, heating, and cooling. This leads to lower energy consumption and long-term cost savings.

One reason to consider environmental features in architecture is the energy efficiency benefits it can provide. For example, as mentioned by Osman (Osman, K. 2024), by incorporating natural ventilation it reduces the need for mechanical cooling in properties. Meanwhile also making the most out of natural sunlight reduces the need for artificial lighting, therefore reducing the amount of energy consumed in a household.

An additional method of improving energy usage is through the use of solar panels, as they provide buildings with an alternate energy source to the traditional options. The installation of solar panels provides home owners numerous benefits such as reduced bill costs and lower carbon footprints (Reiff, N. 2024). However this does in turn come with large set up costs and variable effectivity. By using solar panels it is claimed to reduce taxes by 30%, and overall bills costs, increase the value of the property and users with solar panels are able to sell their surplus producing an alternate income.

Considering these factors by reducing a properties energy consumption through environmental design it helps mitigate climate change and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

Sustainability and Resource Conservation

With the inclusion of environmental features it allows for a variety of sustainability solutions in terms of resources and outcomes. When producing architecture in order to be sustainable the choice of materials can be considered in order to reduce the amount of impact placed on the environment this can be done through the choice of using alternate materials such as more non-finite materials as these are materials that can be replaced such as natural timber additionally if alternate materials if not possible then using recycled material would decrease the projects carbon footprint therefore making it more sustainable. However, similarly to the previous topic on energy efficiency. By including these methods of decreasing the amount of energy used it decreases your carbon footprint therefore making the project more sustainable as its having a less effect on the environment.

Comfort and Well-being

With the incorporation of environmental features there are additional benefits they possess these include the improvement of air quality from the plants used especially when placed inside, additional benefits include having access to natural light promotes better mental health and exposure to vitamin D which is known to improve mood and wellbeing due to the endorphins it produces in the body (Dresden,D 2020). With biophilic feature being integrated into architectural design it enhances the environment around its users improving their overall well-being

Aesthetic and Cultural Value

When designing architectural models its important to consider its aesthetic and appearance in order to portray ideas and convey ones thoughts through design. One means in which this can be done is through the inclusion of environmental features and biophilic design, these features can be used to enhance a building appearance or blend it in with is surrounding environment. Additionally it can be used to preserve heritage through the use of locally sourced materials and traditional construction methods that respect the environment around it. As seen in my primary research there is a clear preference and appreciation to the appearance of biophilic design due to its aesthetic and benefit. By integrating environmental features into architectural design it creates sustainable, energy-efficient, and healthier spaces for future generations and the planet in which we and they live on.

Negatives of environmental features within architecture

With my previous research there has been a clear amount of advantages of using environmental features therefore I wanted to highlight some of the negative reasons of using environmental features in order to showcase a fair argument to conclude my research. The group Benholm showcases some of these factors, these include integration issues, budget constraints and maintenance (Benholm, 2023). One of the challenges of integration is when it comes to incorporating elements such as living walls and water features this can pose significant modifications to a building infrastructure, meanwhile an alternate challenge is budget constraints as the set up costs for biophilia can be high investing in features such as water elements, adding flora and updating the means to improve both ventilation and lighting. The final negative for the implementation of environmental features is the maintenance and upkeep it requires, to ensure the benefits from the natural environment it requires the appropriate upkeep to keep it alive, this can include, “watering, fertilisation, pruning and pest control”. Benholm suggests in order to combat this issue of maintenance, higher specialist plant care professionals as they will know how to property treat the flora. However the issue with that is it becomes an additional cost to be paid which could be difficult and inconvenient for businesses and home owners as its and extra expense (Benhold, 2023).

As mentioned in this project, it’s important to consider the planet, sustainability and health, this therefore leads me onto the united nations sustainable development goals as they have been put in place to both help the planet and society as we know it. As a result of this I believe the goals 7, 9 and 11 all have an impact when it comes to my project and working with sustainability. Goal 7 centres around affordable energy linking back to the ideas of using solar power and the ways in which using environmental features can reduce the amount of energy used in a property. Meanwhile Goal 9 looks at infrastructure and sustainable industrialisation. I believe this links to my project because my aim is to produce a architectural model possessing the ideal environmental features meeting both aesthetic preferences and environmental needs, therefore if I can produce and effective result this could be applied to the current property infrastructure as it promotes the goal of sustainable industrialisation. Finally the last SDG I believe applies to this project is SDG 11 which requires cities and homes to be safe, inclusive and sustainable. In terms of my project I focus of the area of sustainability within cities and homes as this is a key feature present in my research. By including environmental features within architecture there is a clear correlation to the positive sustainability they provide, the reduced energy requirements and alternate energy sources is one example in which environmental features improve buildings sustainability as with low energy requirement and energy from their own solar panels they can become self-sufficient therefore sustainable. Another environmental feature that promotes sustainability is through the use of nature in buildings as this allows for carbon offsetting therefore making the building more sustainable than those that currently exist without these features.

Semester 2 proposed plan

My primary research states there is a preference leading to the use of environmental factors within architecture. Additionally with support from the secondary research conducted this showcases the greater number of benefits using environmental features and biophilic design in architecture. Therefore for my second semester project I aim to produce an architectural model showcasing these proposed environmental features analysing both their visual aesthetic and proposed benefits in comparison to an architectural model without such features. In order to showcase this I will be producing two 3d architectural models both visualised through my rendering skills on the software Twinmotion, one of which will possess environmental features such as the features mentioned within my research and one without to proposed a comparison of the two models using primary research to gain adequate feedback and statistics to compare the two sides.

Below showcases a week by week Gantt chart I aim to follow in order to complete my aims within my semester 2 project.

Literature review

In this literature review it will be exploring and analysing the research taken within the assignment focusing to understand the concepts of environmental design, its application of these features and the effects they possess. Although literature covers a large variety of theories and research towards the idea of environmental architecture, I will be focusing on 4 different areas within the assignment to help me accurately understand the area I am researching and effectively apply this to my project, these being, energy efficiency, sustainability, comfort and aesthetic. Additionally to this I have researched biophilic design to apply this to my assignment, help my own understanding and hopefully help your understanding as a reader.

In order to explain what biophilic design is I have researched both the definition of the design movement and its benefits/applications. The article used to gain a definition and the first understanding of its ideas was from the University College of Estate Management in 2024 which I believed to be an effective source due to the fact of it coming from an academic background and also with this source it was published this year in 2024 therefore this means the data collected is more likely to be up to date therefore more reliable. Additionally to improve my research’s validity I used alternate sources to confirm the suggestions made by the University College of Estate Management.

As mentioned previously, additional research was made in order to understand in greater the effects of environmental design, when researching to understand the energy benefits, the source I used was Osman, K from linked in where he speaks about the sustainability provided by biophilic design, the benefits from this research is that its up to date as it is from 2024, and from a reliable individual on a professional workplace platform, this being LinkedIn. However there can be some negatives with this source due to the fact its from one individual therefore this means errors can be made within their research and not noticed or checked. Additionally although LinkedIn is a reliable platform for information from workplace professionals this does not mean its exempt from misinformation or mistakes. Leading on from Osmans work I decided to check his information around the use of solar panels to make sure they are a worthwhile investment from an alternate source, the source I used was from the website, Investopedia which is a website centred around personal finance and investment. This site speaks about both the positives and negatives of the use of solar panels showing figures to back up their claims therefore I consider this an reliable source for the reasons that, it uses figures to support its claims, it is a website based on finance therefore their financial information should be reliable and its also up to date information from 2024. However it can be argued that this information could be improved by cross examining its figures against other companies, using not digital sources and by collecting the information myself and analysing figures gained from primary research.

When researching the comfort provided by environmental designed I used the source (Dresden,D 2020) as it provided support to the claims that having access to direct sunlight provides health benefits therefore leading to increased user comfort. The reasons I would consider this a viable and valid source as the information is from a specific medial news website written by Dresden but medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, therefore this leads me to believe the information provided has been supported by appropriate health care professionals. However two causes for concern with this source are around its age and platform, as this source is from 20202 therefore this information is old and could be updated or invalid in the eyes of healthcare professionals and as stated the platform could be argued as inaccurate as it’s not documented from a more reliable medial website or journal.

In terms of the primary research I have performed I believed it to be greatly beneficial to my research. This research has shown me the knowledge on biophilic design from the perspective of the general public, additionally this has shown me the publics fondness for the visual aesthetic environmental features provide and do they know about the additional benefits it provides. With this knowledge it streamlines my progress for my second semester project as I understand the general public opinion on what I should be producing with my final product of this assignment. I believe this to be more valid data due to the number of responses I have managed to gain, however are still possibilities of bias and unaltered data as some responses are from friends and family members which may sway their opinions of what to say in their responses additionally, it is possible that individuals may interpret my survey as very one sided looking for a specific responses therefore that is the path they choose to take however, I have tried to avoid this by keeping questions more open to be discussed and explained with no infringement for having a specific view.

Conclusion

In conclusion my research has showcased both the benefits and negatives of using environmental features. After deliberation I believe a clear outcome has been met with the range of benefits outweighing the list of negatives in terms of using environmental features within architecture. With environmental benefits it reduces costs in the form of energy saving, helps people through the benefits it provides to mental health and help the planet by using flora to help rebuild and sustain the planet. Although there are cost concerns with the implementation of these features, I believe if they were to be more frequently planned into architectural project there would be less of a problem with their implementation and in terms of the initial investment the benefits gained from these features succeeds the financial difficulties because if we cannot sustain our planet and its people what is the point of finances. Therefore for my second semester project I will be producing an architectural model with and without this range of environmental features to showcase the ideal form architectural projects should take when including biophilic design which will be supported by additional primary and secondary research, to accurately find this outcome.

Major research project part 1 References Download

Major research project part 1 Appendix Download

Major research project part 1 Bibliography Download

Part: 2

In this project I was required to plan, design and produce my own physical portfolio showcasing previous projects and the software’s used. Additionally, in this project I am required to learn and apply fundamental printing techniques in order to make my portfolio attractive to the public. Within my portfolio I am also required to include final pieces of work, conceptual sketches through my degree representing my overall skillset and knowledge.