Effects of Biophilic Design interventions on university students' cognitive performance: An audio-visual experimental study in an Immersive Virtual office Environment

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 250, P. 111196 - 111196

Published: Jan. 11, 2024

The human-nature connection should be a key component in the design of supportive and comfortable indoor environments. An interest introducing Nature Based Solutions via Biophilic Design (BD) intervention recently emerged. Related benefits for work efficiency have been identified lab-studies without possibility to perform preliminary assessments. Recently, VR has adopted thanks its advantages data collection highly realistic To date, most research on BD focused visual with nature even if people experience multiple senses simultaneously. In this paper, new approach assessment is presented. A 3x3 between-subjects study presented, comparing three office layouts (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green Non-Biophilic) acoustic scenarios (Office, Office + Traffic Nature). 198 participants performed one test session completing cognitive tasks each condition, survey. results sense presence immersivity (visual), sensory congruency (acoustic) cybersickness disorders suggested that an effective tool evaluate potential interventions (ecological validity). findings tests revealed audio-visual can positively influence working memory, inhibition task-switching performance. factor exhibited higher improvement effect compared factor, between 23 % 71 against 12 %–39 %. Moreover, Natural sound Indoor condition was visual*acoustic while Non-Biophilic environment disruptive one.

Language: Английский

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Indoor soundscape assessment: A principal components model of acoustic perception in residential buildings

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 182, P. 107152 - 107152

Published: July 27, 2020

Models of perceived affective quality soundscapes have been recently included into standards to guide the measurement and improvement urban soundscapes. Such models developed in outdoor contexts their validity indoor built environments is unclear. A laboratory listening test was performed a mock-up living room with window sight, order develop an soundscape model for residential buildings. During test, 35 participants were asked rate 20 different scenarios each. Scenarios defined by combining four sound sources five environments, filtered through ajar, on 97 attribute scales. By applying principal component analysis, Comfort, Content, Familiarity, extracted as main perceptual dimensions explaining respectively 58%, 25% 7% total variance. Relationships between scores, acoustic parameters categories investigated. Familiarity found be better predicted loudness N10, level variability LA10-LA90 sharpness S. The magnitude linear-mixed-effect predictions sensibly improved accounting categories, thus pointing at importance semantic meaning sounds assessment. system proposed, based 2-D space two orthogonal axes, Comfort additional Engagement Privacy – Control, rotated 45° same plane. indicates constructs measured (e.g. post-occupancy evaluations), scales employed actions improve quality, providing reference both research practice.

Language: Английский

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Indoor soundscapes at home during the COVID-19 lockdown in London – Part I: Associations between the perception of the acoustic environment, occupantś activity and well-being

Applied Acoustics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 183, P. 108305 - 108305

Published: July 20, 2021

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, as a result adoption worldwide lockdown measures, home environment has become place where all daily activities are taking for many people. In these changed social and acoustical contexts, we wanted to evaluate perception indoor acoustic in relation traditional new performed at home, i.e., relaxation, working from (WFH). Taking London case study, present paper presents results an online survey administered 464 workers January 2021. The utilized previously developed model assessment soundscapes describe affective responses environments perceptual space defined by

Language: Английский

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Indoor soundscapes at home during the COVID-19 lockdown in London – Part II: A structural equation model for comfort, content, and well-being

Applied Acoustics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 185, P. 108379 - 108379

Published: Sept. 8, 2021

The present work constitutes the sequel to analysis of data from an online survey administered 464 home workers in London January 2021 during COVID-19 lockdown. Perceived affective quality indoor soundscapes has been assessed through a previously developed model, as combination two perceptual dimensions, one related

Language: Английский

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Indoor soundscape, speech perception, and cognition in classrooms: A systematic review on the effects of ventilation-related sounds on students

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 236, P. 110194 - 110194

Published: March 8, 2023

Good air quality in classrooms, achieved through natural or mechanical ventilation, is necessary for students' health and cognition, but might simultaneously expose them to challenging sound environments, affecting learning well-being. In this work we focused on the interaction between acoustics ventilation modality systematically reviewed effects of stimuli related speech perception, acoustic comfort. Adopting PRISMA guidelines, selected 37 studies published after 1990, including students from primary school university assessing impacts either fan noise sounds intruding into classroom when windows are opened (i.e. traffic noise, aircraft railway human sirens construction sounds). By comparison with a quiet baseline condition (no low level), were categorized as positive, null negative. Our systematic review showed negative effect noise. However, future research should better frame result by an integrated approach acoustical requirements. Concerning anthropogenic entering conditions, no generally observed, depending specific task characteristics. On contrary, open found consistently yield positive Therefore, can sometimes improve indoor soundscape context. The limitations currently available knowledge under-investigated areas outlined review, which be addressed studies.

Language: Английский

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Virtual reality application to explore indoor soundscape and physiological responses to audio-visual biophilic design interventions: An experimental study in an office environment

Journal of Building Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 87, P. 108947 - 108947

Published: March 11, 2024

Among the major sources of disturbance in offices, noise and poor acoustics consistently rank at top. Moreover, positive impact which connecting with nature has on individuals is well-documented, yet still not investigated in-depth terms office soundscapes. In present study, a methodology using Virtual Reality (VR) technology employed to analyse benefits Biophilic Design interventions spaces. Notably, study investigates independent interaction effects audio-visual connection 1) soundscape, 2) physiological parameters, 3) explores potential correlations between soundscape response. Three different visual scenarios (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green Non-Biophilic) three sound environments (Office − O, Office + Traffic O T Nature N) for virtual environment were combined between-subjects design experiment. During their exposure each acoustical scenario, 198 participants' responses perceived affective quality soundscapes (ISO/TS 12913-2) reactions (Electro-Dermal Activity - EDA, Pulse Rate PR, Skin Temperature -ST) collected. The results show effect factor assessment, N scenario resulting increased pleasantness eventfulness compared i.e. more vibrant soundscape. an stimuli was detected, IG being effective N, while OG beneficial scenario. Significant elicited presence than one: pleasant associated lowered EDA PR additional improvement indoor greenery. (O tended decrease skin temperature greenery, unpleasant eventful T) gave largest increase absence nature-related elements indoors. This research provides first insights biophilic spaces through stimuli.

Language: Английский

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Impact of classroom environment on student wellbeing in higher education: Review and future directions

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 265, P. 111958 - 111958

Published: Aug. 13, 2024

Given the emerging concern for student wellbeing in public health discourse, a question arises: What role do campus buildings play shaping overall of students? Following PRISMA guideline, this study reviews current building science literature that explores relationship between higher education learning environments, specifically classroom spaces, and students. Our investigation reveals existing primarily frames terms individual comfort health. While acknowledging importance these aspects, we emphasize desirability embracing wider social collective dimensions from an interdisciplinary perspective. We also advocate departure traditional approach focuses on mitigating adverse environmental effects to one focused net positive human benefits. Encompassing two perspectives, paper presents holistic better understand both individuals communities within educational settings. This comprehensive perspective aims highlight diverse influencing wellbeing, contributing regenerative pathway toward achieving net-positive design sustainability terms.

Language: Английский

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The actual and ideal indoor soundscape for work, relaxation, physical and sexual activity at home: A case study during the COVID-19 lockdown in London

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Dec. 29, 2022

The period of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic made importance a high-quality surrounding environment even more evident than before. Several studies have been carried out to assess (negative) impacts noise on annoyance, particularly whilst working from (WFH). present study takes step further by (1) investigating positive and negative "actual" acoustic range activities, i.e., WFH, relaxation, physical, sexual (2) identifying characteristics an "ideal" indoor soundscape. is based qualitative analysis verbal descriptions collected open-ended questions included in survey administered January 2021 464 respondents living London, lockdown. actual scenario varied no effect task execution, disruption, distraction, concern disturbing others or being heard. Positive support concentration, motivation, freedom sound expression, feeling connected surroundings comforted presence others, according mechanisms described study. Negative appraisal could trigger coping strategies (e.g., controlling windows, playing music, wearing headphones) behavioural changes lowering volume voice muting oneself call, changing workout type) that turn limit enhance behaviour, affect foster wellbeing. were most frequently reported WFH (by 55% participants), followed relaxation activities (40.6%), (30.1%), (20.1%). ideal soundscape was as quiet, well-sound insulated environment, which guarantees access sounds (i.e., natural sounds, urban background), thus resulting privacy, intimacy, place where express themselves without noise-related constraints. complements literature findings housing design directions light pandemic, providing evidence poor insulation at home, potential benefits nature-based solutions for soundscapes, opportunities activity-based domestic environments, inclusive broader set uses household compositions.

Language: Английский

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Indoor soundscape in primary school classrooms

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154(3), P. 1813 - 1826

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Soundscape research on indoor environments is emerging as a topic to be addressed for the design of supportive, healthier, and more comfortable spaces. Only few studies so far context educational buildings, mainly focusing high schools universities. This pilot study uses questionnaires based pictorial scales investigate soundscape classrooms primary school children (n = 130; 8-10 years old). Perceived loudness affective dimensions pleasantness arousal were explored. Besides actual soundscape, children's ideal was investigated well. The results indicate that most frequent sounds in are generated by students themselves (voices, movements) followed traffic. urban modulates perception when windows open ensure natural ventilation. Pleasantness associated with students' age, perceived loudness, frequency voices nearby classrooms. hearing (children's voices) sirens affects arousal. Our at mostly exposed unpleasant sounds, whereas their preferred ones music nature-related ones. findings have implications positive inclusive learning environments.

Language: Английский

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A survey on the soundscape perception before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

Noise Mapping, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8(1), P. 65 - 88

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

Abstract At the time of COVID-19 pandemic, impact lockdown measures highlights changes in terms sounds and noises present everyday life. The paper deals with this peculiar unexpected scenario as studied by means an online survey consisting 18 questions distributed to residents Italian territory. For studying unprecedented effect participants were asked fill questionnaire, providing personal data, describing context characteristics house which they live making a comparison soundscape pre-lockdown one. About four hundred questionnaires have been collected analysed order define correlations between perception variables. Using logistic regression models, during two abovementioned periods. It has observed that traffic noise increased for people over 35 years old produced neighbourhood more statistically significant employed respondents. Future outlook might provide spread questionnaire other countries global evaluation be also acquired reference after-lockdown period.

Language: Английский

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