As the aging process acclerates, the number and proportion of the elderly population in China is increasing, so is the demand for the elderly nursing facilities. Under such circumstances, the social attitude toward the aging has gradually changed from...
As the aging process acclerates, the number and proportion of the elderly population in China is increasing, so is the demand for the elderly nursing facilities. Under such circumstances, the social attitude toward the aging has gradually changed from negative to positive. Biophilic design refers to drawing experience from nature and creating an artificial environment that can support and revive human biophilic nature by means of reproduction, utilization, simulation and extraction of
nature. In the elderly nursing facilities, biophilic design is introduced to create a healthy and comfortable healing environment by introducing plants, natural elements and biological activities, and promote the improvement of physical and mental health and quality of life of the elderly.
In the space design, the harmonious co-existence between man and nature can be made with the help of natural forces,which can promote a man’s physical and mental health. Based on the characteristics of the elderly, the study explored how to create a healing environment through biohilic design, and obtained biohilic design indicators for the shared space of their nursing facilities, so as to improve their health status and living environment.
The research methods in this paper are employed as follows: Firstly, through theoretical investigation, the characteristics of the elderly population were analyzed, while the positive influence of biophilic design on the elderly was proved. In this way the design elements of the elderly nursing facility space and biophilic design elements were also obtained. Secondly, using the biophilic design elements as the analysis framework, 24 cases of the elderly nursing facilities at home and abroad was carried out. In the case anaysis, the characteristics of the biophilic design of the elderly nursing facilities were summarized, and the details
of the biophile design elements were obtained . Thirdly, through a questionnaire survey, 2 out of 10 cases in China were selected to investigate the importance satisfaction. 303 elderly people were interviewed to collect their opinions on the biophilic design of hall space, corridor space and leisure space of thier nursing facilities. Furthermore, based on the analysis of IPA, the suggestions are obtained on the biophilic design of the shared space of the elderly nursing facilities in China.
Through the research, the conclusions are drawn as follows:
First, the study has confirmed that biophilic design has a healing effect on the physical and mental health of the elderly. it is of great significance in that it can provide the elderly with a safe, restorative, comfortable, private, cognitive and communicative environment, which can reduce the pressure of the elderly, improve their psychological vitality and have a significant impact on the rehabilitation of the elderly. Therefore, it is very necessary to actively explore the introduction of
natural biophilic design in the elderly nursing facilities.
Second, combined with the physical characteristics of the elderly, it is necessary to provide a safe and restorative nursing facility environment for the elderly. In the aged stage, various physiological functions of the elderly have declined, and problems such as decreased sensory perception ability, respiratory and circulatory system have appeared. In that case, ground materials with different colors or textures is used to guide the walking direction, or large plants are set at the corner of space to indicate the direction of walk. Similarly, natural materials can be used to make road signs to provide a safe environment for the elderly. Through designing skylights, slanted Windows and open Windows to feel the inflow of light, wind and air, placing green plants in indoor space, creating water space, designing atrium, outdoor terrace or balcony, etc., to provide the elderly with a stimulating environment with five senses and provide a restorative environment for the elderly. Skylights, slanted windows and open windows are designed to allow the eldly to feel the inflow of light, wind and air; placing green plants in indoor space, creating water space, designing atrium, outdoor terrace or balcony, etc., provide the elderly with five-sense stimulating environment. It is also a restorative environment for the elderly.
Third, based on the psychological characteristics of the elderly, it is necessary to provide the nursing facility environment with comfort and privacy. With the increase of age, the elderly have mental decline, memory loss, loneliness, depression and other changes. The design of large floor-to-ceiling windows, and the design of terraces and balconies help the eldly facilitate the observation of natural landscapes.In the same way, the use of wood floors, natural material decorations, natural material furniture, natural colors, etc., aims to provide a comfortable environment for the elderly. Privacy can be provided for the elderly by
creating hidden resting spaces with curtains, flowers and plants, and murals. Thus it helps to stimulate the senses of the elderly, create positive emotions for the elderly, maintain the physical and psychological comfort of the elderly, and improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Fourth, in view of the social characteristics of the elderly, it is necessary to provide a cognitive and communicative nursing facility environment for the elderly. With the increase of age, the elderly will have psychological changes such as loss, emptiness and loneliness due to cognitive decline.The landscape balconies, roof gardens or terraces can provide a cognitive and communicative environment for the elderly, through which the elderly can feel the changes of weather and seasons, increase communication between other people. The elderly can easily feel the natural sounds of the outside world: the sounds of insects and birds, feel the wind and sunlight, touch the flowers and plants, and appreciate the beauty of nature, which also increases the opportunity for communication between the elderly, ceates positive emotions and relax their minds.