Abstract- Special attention had been recently paid to pinpoint the aspects that most affect human satisfaction within the built-environment. Experimental findings demonstrate that compositions that connect people to natural elements and configurations help to increase their sense of wellbeing, with definite and therapeutic consequences on physiology, productivity, and even on stress/pain- reduction. Hence, a set of methodical approaches emerged from diverse domains, initiating a new space of research, i.e. environmental psychology; one of the most tenable theories in this direction is “Biophilia”. This paper accentuates the underpinnings of this theory in the field of architecture, overviewing and comparing the most prominent models in this field, thus the main goal is to conclude a Methodology/Checklist that encompasses all possible criteria for full-biophilic built-environment. In so doing, the research proposes/suggests a methodology/checklist for evaluating this environment, based on an analytical study through building and site visit. This checklist is then used to examine and evaluate the design of “the Basilica of Sagrada Família” as a suggested model for this environment as a case-study, which represents one of the most iconic international architectural building, with more than (3.5 Millions) visitors a year from all over the world. The proposed model has also further settings and possible characteristics that might help architects and urban designers creating similar "healthy built-environments" to improve users' physical and psychological wellbeing with a positive experience, as found in this building, thus also justified in this study through scientific reasoning, which can be developed as a design guide lines/framework by further adaptation for new (culture/religious/recreational/…) public buildings designs. |
