Winding Down and Looking Up: Weaving Activity Through Nature as a Method of Biophilic Design

Abstract

Biophilia, the human-nature connection, stems from the evolution of humans and our affiliation with natural environments. This need for nature has been proven essential to our health and wellness. Younger generations, especially, have distanced themselves from the natural environment, as they are subjected to conventional forms of architecture. Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada provides the opportunity to inhabit nature through a 2.7 hectare lawn and forest. By working with the environment and weaving activity through nature, this thesis strives to facilitate interaction in a positive way, through principles of Restorative Environmental Design. As a gateway to the forest, this thesis proposes a learning centre, connected by a network of study pods within the forest canopy. These insertions of activity wind themselves through the forest, creating a series of events to experience nature.