Effect of Indoor Wall Wood Coverage on the Elderly Group—A Case Study of Activity Rooms in Old-Age Buildings

Abstract

Wood finds extensive utilization in the design of indoor environments due to its natural and visual weighty characteristics. However, the visual perception of the elderly group towards their surroundings differs from that of other age groups, resulting in distinct requirements for the visual environment. Taking the activity room of an old-age building as a case study, this research employs a focus group to identify the factors and levels that influence the acceptance of wood among older individuals, subsequently designing various simulation scenarios. The semantic differential method and physiological monitoring enable the collection of psychological and physiological evaluations. The findings reveal that the increases in wood coverage significantly impact the psychological and physiological perceptions of older individuals, with acceptance of the environment increasing initially and then decreasing. In terms of physiology, the incorporation of wooden wall designs in indoor spaces assists in regulating essential physiological indicators such as heart rate and blood pressure. In conclusion, the implementation of indoor wood design positively influences the psychological and physiological perceptions of older individuals, thereby providing valuable guidance for the design of healthy indoor environments.