Document Type

Honors Paper

Advisor

Anna Vallye

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between architecture, human perception, and well-being through the lens of human-centered and biophilic design. Drawing from philosophical traditions, phenomenology, and contemporary neuroscience, this thesis argues that the built environment is an active agent in shaping cognition, emotion, and lived experience. Architecture is understood as multisensory, embodied, and temporally experienced, influencing individuals in both conscious and nonconscious ways. Through a comparative analysis of three case studies, Paimio Sanatorium, AEA House, and the Amazon Spheres, this research examines how biophilic design principles are incorporated into different contexts such as healthcare, residential, and workplace. Each project demonstrates a distinct relationship between humans, architecture, and nature: as a therapeutic tool, a condition of daily life, or as an instrument for productivity. These variations reveal that biophilic design is not fixed, rather it is shaped by program, context, and broader socio-economic systems. The thesis further highlights how nature within architecture is consistently mediated, controlled, and curated to produce a specific outcome. This raises critical questions about accessibility and intent. While biophilic design offers benefits to human well-being, its application is unevenly distributed and may be misused to align with institutional and economic priorities. Ultimately, this thesis argues that architecture can meaningfully shape the conditions of human experience, but cannot fully determine it. By acknowledging both the potential benefits and limitations of design, and considering issues of equity and access, architecture can move beyond functionality toward a more holistic approach that supports human well-being and flourishing.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.