Integrating Biophilic Design Principles and Human-Centered Strategies for Enhancing Psychophysiological Wellbeing in Higher Education Environments MSA University Case Study
Abstract
Considering contemporary transformations in trends related to interior and environmental design, increasing attention has been directed toward the development of educational interior environments that support users’ psychophysiological well-being, while fulfilling sustainability requirements and performance-based environmental design. Within this context, both Human-Centered Design (HCD) and biophilic interior design emerge as two complementary approaches that reorient the design process toward users’ needs, enhance environmental responsiveness, and integrate natural elements and systems within interior spaces.
This research aims to study the integration of the methodologies and fundamentals of Human-Centered Design with the principles of biophilic design to enhance psychophysiological well-being within educational interior environments. The Faculty of Arts and Design at MSA University is adopted as an applied case study, through which the research explores mechanisms for employing user-centered methodologies in terms of objectives and criteria, and linking them with environmental biophilic standards.
The research adopts a mixed-methods research methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data are collected through questionnaires directed to several user groups, including students of the Faculty of Arts and Design, alongside conducting qualitative interviews with faculty members. The research also includes an evaluation of the existing interior design of educational spaces, covering spatial designs, lighting conditions, selection of interior finishing materials, and the furniture used in design studios, lecture halls, and computer labs.
This evaluation aims to support the integration of biophilic design principles with a comprehensive response to user requirements by presenting design proposals for the spaces, in line with contemporary trends in sustainable environmental design within educational institutions.
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Article Details
Accepted 2026-07-02
Published 2026-07-31