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

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 250, С. 111196 - 111196

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

---

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, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 87, С. 108947 - 108947

Опубликована: Март 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.

Язык: Английский

---

EEG alpha wave responses to sounds from neighbours in high-rise wood residential buildings

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 242, С. 110560 - 110560

Опубликована: Июнь 28, 2023

This study explored electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha waves (α-EEG) in response to neighbours' sounds wood residential buildings. Experiments were carried out a laboratory collect α-EEG data distinct acoustics scenarios. A series of impact and airborne generated using loudspeakers subwoofers, while the participants sat comfortably simulated living room wearing EEG headsets. Impact those footsteps adults walking on floors equipped with different timber floor configurations, whereas speech music digitally filtered resemble good poor sound insulation performances lightweight vertical partitions. The sources presented both individually combination (e.g. combined or speech). Noise sensitivity attitudes towards neighbours introduced as non-acoustic factors. highlighted significantly higher heard through characterised by low pressure levels (SPL) partition walls reduction indices. effective duration autocorrelation function, τe, was computed investigate subjective preference, significant differences between at various SPLs identified for music. Footsteps an source elicited when compared single sounds. Participants self-reported noise-sensitivity positive attitude showed larger responses exposed from than who had high noise-sensiviity negative neighbours.

Язык: Английский

---

Indoor soundscape in primary school classrooms

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 154(3), С. 1813 - 1826

Опубликована: Сен. 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.

Язык: Английский

---

A state-of-the-art, systematic review of indoor environmental quality studies in work-from-home settings

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 259, С. 111652 - 111652

Опубликована: Май 15, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in working from home worldwide, making the work-from-home (WFH) setting crucial context for studying influence of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on workers' well-being and productivity. A narrative visual synthesis 41 research articles IEQ WFH settings was conducted identify factors being measured their correlations with perceived productivity well-being. This review shows that conditions at were mainly within recommended international standards. However, some high maxima recorded, particularly metrics related air partly due wider availability evidence, which raised concerns regarding suitability while home. Despite presence these maxima, workers generally rated all highly. could possibly reflect lack awareness changes conditions, suggesting monitoring might be necessary when Compared traditional offices, seemed more satisfied although found deficient sound insulation, ergonomic technological support, leading multiple health complaints. Several studies have also demonstrated between assessments those productivity, physical mental Future should consider using longitudinal study design including representative samples, different seasons, multi-domain analyses, multicountry multicultural settings.

Язык: Английский

---

Evaluation of healthy indoor acoustic environments in residential buildings by the occupants: A mixed-method approach

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 246, С. 110950 - 110950

Опубликована: Окт. 18, 2023

Язык: Английский

---

Measuring, representing and analysing indoor soundscapes: A data collection campaign in residential buildings with natural and mechanical ventilation in England

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 243, С. 110726 - 110726

Опубликована: Авг. 12, 2023

A model for the assessment of perceived affective quality indoor residential soundscapes is first applied in a field survey carried out 61 dwellings England. Objectives are i) to investigate measurement and soundscape data representation, ii) characterize appropriateness home working relaxation, iii) test differences based on ventilation strategy, iv) identify factors predicting soundscapes. In with natural (N = 34) was windows open, while those mechanical 27) closed system operation. Parallel administration questionnaire, monaural binaural measurements acoustic environments were performed. The study provides examples representation circumplex space defined by comfort content dimensions. Soundscapes which appropriate work relaxation characterized high low content, i.e., as private under control. Indoor strongly related perception traffic noise, window opening, sound pressure level, especially energy interference speech through Speech Interference Level parameter (SIL), that lead reduced increased saturation environment. Moreover, aspects psychoacoustics (sharpness), contextual building-related (ownership status floor level) cross-modal effects from other sensory modalities (perceived air temperature) have an impact. threshold value 32.7 dB SIL identified at neutral attained.

Язык: Английский

---

Effects of sound-source characteristics and personal factors on the perceived controllability of indoor acoustic environments in high-rise multi-unit residences

Building and Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 264, С. 111935 - 111935

Опубликована: Авг. 8, 2024

Язык: Английский

---

Neighbour noise in multi-storey housing: Public experiences, attitudes and the need for acoustic labelling to ensure consumer protection

Building Acoustics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 16, 2025

Neighbour noise affects health, emotions, behaviours, privacy and social relations. This paper aims to present residents’ perspective on neighbour initiate a discussion consumer rights protection based the results of media analysis. In 2021, two newspaper articles about acoustic labelling were published, receiving over 700 comments in media. A thematic analysis revealed experiences multi-storey housing, attitudes toward sources, responsibilities solutions. Considering heterogeneity apartment users needs, economic burden real estate transactions, difficulty redressing issues, we argue that performance disclosure, for example, through labelling, is an urgent necessity providing informed choices house-buyers tenants. The further indicate need address vulnerabilities certain groups, not only from exposure but also being overheard.

Язык: Английский

---

Enhancing museum experiences: Using immersive environments to evaluate soundscape preferences

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 157(2), С. 1097 - 1108

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Research on indoor soundscapes is an emerging topic that aims to create more comfortable and supportive environments based occupant perceptions preferences. However, this remains under-explored in museum environments. This research addresses gap by investigating soundscape preferences their impact the experience. The hypothesis composed of sounds congruent with exhibitions' context are effective reducing distractions, enhancing engagement, creating a immersive Audiovisual experiments were conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute using panoramic screen system. 360° screen, combined 8-channel loudspeaker array, featured photos different from 16 exhibitions 5 museums, including Massachusetts Museum Contemporary Art New York State Museum. Participants experienced four scenarios: one on-site recorded soundscape, two combining recording either conventional or sound masker, featuring “no added sound.” While immersed these scenarios, 23 participants completed questionnaire developed controller interact directly experiment through wireless device. statistically significant results supported showed 58% cases, preferred exhibition-congruent over other three tested scenarios.

Язык: Английский

---