Analyzing the Role of Biophilic Design in Enhancing Employees’ Psychological Well-Being and Improving the Quality of Office Environments

Authors

  • Mostafa Najafian * Department of Architecture, Tawhid Higher Education Institute, Behshahr, Mazandaran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.48314/adb.v3i3.69

Abstract

Contemporary office environments extend beyond being settings for work-related activities and play an important role in shaping employees’ spatial experiences, comfort, satisfaction, and psychological well-being. In this context, Biophilic design, with its emphasis on establishing a meaningful connection between humans and nature, has emerged as a human-centered approach in architecture and environmental design with considerable potential for improving the quality of workplaces. This study aims to analyze the role of Biophilic design in enhancing employees’ psychological well-being and improving the quality of office environments through an integrative literature review and critical analysis of relevant scientific sources. The study examines various Biophilic components, including natural daylight, vegetation, natural materials, water features, natural views, ventilation and environmental comfort, biomorphic patterns, and spatial characteristics associated with the concepts of prospect, refuge, and psychological restoration. The findings indicate that the purposeful integration of Biophilic elements into office environments can contribute to reducing stress and psychological tension, improving mood, enhancing attention restoration, increasing workplace satisfaction, and strengthening employees’ concentration and performance. However, the effectiveness of these strategies depends on several factors, including design quality, climatic conditions, users’ cultural and perceptual characteristics, and the management and maintenance of natural elements. Furthermore, the literature review indicates that, within the Iranian context, traditional architectural features such as central courtyards, Persian gardens, water features, shading, and the use of indigenous materials can provide valuable local potentials for developing Biophilic approaches in office environments. Accordingly, Biophilic design can be regarded as an effective approach to creating health-oriented, human-centered, and sustainable office environments, in which strengthening the human–nature relationship contributes to improving employees’ psychological well-being and the overall quality of their workplace experience.

Keywords:

Biophilic design, Psychological well-being, Employees, Office environments, Human-centered architecture, Environmental psychology

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Published

2026-09-25

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): Architectural Dimensions and Beyond

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Najafian, M. . (2026). Analyzing the Role of Biophilic Design in Enhancing Employees’ Psychological Well-Being and Improving the Quality of Office Environments. Architectural Dimensions and Beyond, 3(3), 243-260. https://doi.org/10.48314/adb.v3i3.69

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