Biophilic as a Design Approach for Therapy & Rehabilitation Center: A Literature Review

Abstract

The human connection with nature has been proven to positively impact mental health, emotional stability, and the healing process. Design approaches that integrate natural elements can enhance users’ psychological well-being and accelerate recovery within rehabilitation centers. Therefore, applying a biophilic design approach is increasingly urgent in creating environments that holistically support the rehabilitation process. This study aims to explore the potential of biophilic design in shaping restorative rehabilitation environments that prioritize user well-being. The method employed is a literature review with a qualitative approach, examining sources related to biophilic concepts, healing environment theories, and case studies of therapeutic facilities that have implemented biophilic principles. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively through content analysis techniques to identify patterns, themes, and elements of biophilic and restorative environments that contribute to restorative effects in the context of rehabilitation. The results revealed that the biophilic approach can be captured through the user's experience of the sensory dimension, spatial dimension, and emotional and symbolic dimensions. These findings are expected to be used as a reference in the development of a more human-focused rehabilitation facility design concept, especially in the psychosocial recovery of users.