Nature connection is vital to society’s wellbeing and the wellbeing of society

10 JULY 2020 BY LUCY BRITTAIN

A large body of empirical research has shown that a connection to nature measurably improves wellbeing and concentration, and reduces stress levels, aggression and heart rates. It is vital to integrate nature into our daily routines, such as on the journey to work, or in a lunch break, as research shows that even a short exposure to nature can measurably improve wellbeing. And conversely, research into low grade urban environments found a link between poverty, anxiety and depression.

‘Wellbeing is a positive, physical, social and mental state; it is not just the absence of pain, discomfort and incapacity’ (DEFRA)

In recent years ‘wellbeing’ has become a popular topic but a deeper understanding is important to avoid ‘biophilic greenwashing’. Architects and designers can learn from the academic research by environmental psychology, neuroscience amongst others, and can implement the principles in design and planning. The empirical evidence can help to ‘sell’ these important design principles to clients, and demonstrate the social, economic and wellbeing benefits of considered design.

Aside from purely creating a connection to nature, it is important to understand the characteristics of nature that actually improve wellbeing. In this understanding, we are able to both enhance the green spaces we design and use these features in the built environment itself. Cullinan Studio has been doing this for several decades, both in relation to landscape and in buildings, as the following examples show.

Wellbeing principles:

There are a range of cognitive and evolutionary principles from nature that contribute to wellbeing. These can be categorised as follows:

Cognitive principles:

• Connection to nature

• Viewing nature

• Multisensory access to nature

• Connection to nature

Scale of space

• Space to be alone

• Space for social interaction

• Space for exercise

Evolutionary principles:

• Coherence

• Complexity

• Legibility

• Mystery

Viewing nature:

In 1984, Roger Ulrich investigated how a patient’s view from their hospital bed influenced recovery time. His study found that patients who overlooked a natural setting were regularly discharged from hospital sooner than patients who looked onto a brick wall. This prompted many further studies which demonstrated similar findings of stress reduction, and reduced depression. Researchers found that symptoms of ADD in children were relieved through contact with nature – improved concentration and ability to follow directions improved dramatically.

The earliest Cullinan projects have had a deep connection with nature. At the Lambeth Community Care Centre the first floor wards opened onto balconies overlooking a verdant garden, big enough to wheel a bed out onto. This allowed a direct connection with nature, with views, sunlight and the feeling of the breeze.

Multisensory access to nature:

One of the key features of a natural setting is that it is stimulating in multiple ways. An array of changing colours, textures, light, sounds and aromas are present even in simple settings. The Kaplans’ Attention Restoration Theory found that daily life requires ‘directed attention’ with continuous mental demands which can lead to fatigue, resulting in stress and irritability. To allow the mind to recuperate, a form of effortless attention is required. The Kaplans suggest nature provides ‘effortless fascination’ which requires no effort and is therefore restorative. They identified the setting needs to have four features: fascination, extent, being away (from the normal setting), and compatibility, to be successful.

Research has shown that nature provides greater recovery than watching television, reading or walking in an urban environment.

Push-Pull House breaks open to let light flood deep into the plan, bedrooms look into tree canopies, and the living spaces have large sliding doors to open onto mature gardens. The exposed timber structure provides a natural warmth to the interior. Glimpses of changing weather and sky follow the family as they go about their day.

Connection to nature:

Humans have a fundamental emotional or spiritual connection to nature, which may relate to some of the ideas of evolutionary landscape preference discussed later. Psychotherapist and landscape architect Marni Barnes asserts: “In the garden, healing occurs as a result of a direct connection between the patients and the physical/natural environment”. She suggests the seasonality of plants “reinforce people’s awareness of life’s natural rhythms and cycles”.

The mental health carity, Mind, studied the therapeutic influence of green exercise on people suffering from mild depression. Researchers found that activities like nature stroll and gardening project benefited several aspects of well-being.

Conceived as a ribbon floating through the treetops, the Conkers Aerial Walkway takes visitors on a sinuous route high up to create a unique connection to nature. There are resting points along the way and two eyries on the route, which links between two parts of the visitor attraction.

At the RHS Garden Hyde Hall Hilltop Complex, the buildings are orientated around a courtyard in which school children can dig in the soil, plant vegetables and learn about food growing.

Space to be alone:

It is important for people to find spaces to be alone, a refuge from busy lives. However, quiet spaces in developments such as offices can often be overlooked when floor area ratios are considered paramount. Research has shown that people need the opportunity to be in their own space in order to maintain good social interaction and function most effectively. A quiet refuge allows the user to relax, away from stressful situations. It also allows people to view the surrounding area from a safe vantage point. Geographer Jay Appleton describes this as ‘Prospect and Refuge’.

In our new library for St John’s College, Cambridge, small reading alcoves provide places for private study. These elevated study spaces are detached from the open plan library but allow a connection by overlooking the main space.

Space for social interaction:

Studies have shown the link between a good social network and positive mental well-being. Kuo’s studies of public spaces within inner city neighbourhoods found that “green space in a housing complex encourages more social activity and more visitors compared to barren areas. The residents also knew more neighbours and said that their neighbours were more concerned with helping and supporting each other”. Medium scale spaces with clusters of seating allow informal interactions and provide a neutral setting where groups can meet.

We use these ideas in schemes such as the Singapore Management University, where a circulation stair becomes a place for gathering and meeting. In the Uplands Conference Centre the thoughtful design of a handrail allows a moment to rest and the generous corridor promotes social interaction.

Space for exercise:

There has been extensive research on the links between exercise and mental health, particularly with regard to alleviating depression. A research project further looked at how exercising in a green environment can further enhance mental well-being – key findings included significant reductions in levels of anger, depression, confusion and tenseness after engaging in green exercise. Levels of self-esteem were also found to increase significantly.

The International Digital Laboratory at the University of Warwick has a central ‘street’ with working platforms at each side and staircases down to the open plan workshop space below. This encourages movement and visual connections through the building.

Evolutionary Principles:

Evolutionary principles of landscape preference suggest there are universal traits of landscape preference, that remain consistent over time and location. The theories seek to explain landscape preference in terms of evolutionary survival. In 1984 biologist Edward O Wilson proposed the ‘Biophilia hypothesis’ that describes the innate human affinity and need for contact with the natural environment. The ‘savannah hypothesis’ contends that humans should instinctively prefer open grassland with scattered trees and bodies of water, a big sky and good views.

The Kaplans developed an Environmental Preference Model which found humans prefer scenes that provide rapid, comprehensible information, that are engaging and involving. Preference is dependent on the satisfaction of two separate needs, understanding and exploration. They identified the following characteristics:

By taking the evolutionary ideas of complexity, legibility, mystery and coherence into built spaces, we provide moments of exploration, surprise and delight.

Coherence: The degree to which a scene ‘hangs together’ and allows for human comprehension.

The Downland Gridshell is a good example of this.

Complexity: Related to the number and variety of elements in a scene to enhance interest. This related to the Kaplan’s idea of fascination and extent in their Attention Restoration Theory.

The National Automotive Innovation Centre interior provides layers of balcony spaces, with an overriding roof grid to tie the space together.

Legibility: The level of distinctiveness that enables the viewer to understand or categorise the content of, and find their way in a scene.

The layout of Maggie’s Newcastle ensures good legibility from the moment a visitor enters the building – with views through the central library to the busy kitchen table, or right to the meeting rooms, with all rooms viewing to nature. The building creates a hierarchy of spaces to allow visitors to participate at their own pace and allows discrete supervision by the staff.

Mystery: The extent to which a scene contains hidden information so that one is drawn into the scene to explore, with further promise of comprehensible information.

Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre is rich with mystery, creating framed views across to the heritage site from the approach road and through the centre towards the tower.

It is clear that not all therapeutic principles can necessarily be incorporated into each setting. Using these ideas in built environments can be achieved to varying extents. Some ideas are specific to a connection with nature, whilst others are more abstract and can more easily be integrated into manmade setting, such as space to be alone. By integrating these principles into both landscape and architectural settings, a holistic therapeutic environment could be achieved.

MORE PERSPECTIVES >