A Research on Biophilic Design Patterns: The Case of AGU as a Biophilic Campus

Abstract

Examining the biophilic elements in education campuses, which are a smaller-scale representation of urban areas, would be an example of urban-scale human–nature improvements. In this context, this article aims to analyze the biophilic elements in Abdullah Gul University (AGU) Sumer Campus and 3 education buildings for the interaction tendency between nature and humans. This examination encompasses two processes, first, taking photographs through on-site observation and applying a survey. On-site observation and photography included author-collected evidence of biophilic elements on campus. A questionnaire was conducted to analyze the awareness of biophilic elements among the occupants of the AGU education buildings and campus. It was determined how many biophilic design principles exist in buildings and how aware the occupants are of these principles. Due to this detection, the potentials and shortcomings of the AGU education buildings and campus were brought to light in terms of biophilic design. In the research, the AGU campus and 3 main education buildings, which have significance in the historical spatial memory of the city of Kayseri and are in the restoration process, were chosen as a case. Buildings under restoration within the campus were excluded. In addition, 14 biophilic patterns identified by Browning, Ryan, and Clancy constitute the scope of this study. The research can be applied to other university campuses in the city of Kayseri. This awareness in education buildings will also lay the groundwork for the spread of biophilic criteria on an urban scale.The research treats education campuses and buildings as a small representation of the urban scale. With the analysis of biophilic elements, the AGU campus has original value in defining it as an example of a biophilic campus.