The Effect of Biophilic Design on User Evaluations in Bookstores and Cafes

Öz

This study aimed to determine the effects of biophilic design elements applied in bookstores and cafes on user evaluations. The research examined the impact of biophilic design elements on user experience, spatial preference, and the overall quality of life of individuals. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 204 participants using bookstores and cafes, and the data obtained were analyzed and evaluated. The evaluation results show that participants generally perceive the environmental factors of bookstores and cafes designed with biophilic elements more positively. These results indicate that biophilic spaces containing natural elements contribute to individuals feeling happier, more peaceful, and more enjoyable. Furthermore, individuals can work more comfortably and efficiently in biophilic environments, read more books, and increase their social interactions. Another result shows that evaluations of biophilic design elements differ according to participants' gender, age, and education level, and that this can influence user preferences. The results clearly demonstrate that biophilic design, which includes natural elements such as plants, water, wood, and stone, can positively influence individuals' spatial preferences and satisfaction.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Biophilic Design
• Bookstore
• Cafe
• Interior
• Perception.

Teşekkür

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the valuable participants who contributed by completing the research survey.

Kitabevi ve Kafelerde Biyofilik Tasarımın Kullanıcı Değerlendirmeleri Üzerindeki Etkisi

Öz

Bu çalışmada, kitabevi ve kafe mekânlarında uygulanan biyofilik tasarım unsurlarının kullanıcı değerlendirmeleri üzerindeki etkilerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında, biyofilik tasarım unsurlarının kullanıcı deneyimi, mekân tercihi ve bireylerin genel yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir. Bu doğrultuda geliştirilen anket formu, kitabevi ve kafe mekânlarını kullanan toplam 204 katılımcıya uygulanmış ve elde edilen veriler analiz edilerek değerlendirilmiştir. Değerlendirme sonuçlarına bakıldığında, katılımcıların biyofilik unsurlarla tasarlanan kitabevi ve kafelerin çevresel faktörlerini genel olarak daha olumlu yönde algılandığını göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlar, doğal unsurlar içeren biyofilik mekânların bireylerin kendilerini daha mutlu, huzurlu ve keyifli hissetmelerine katkı sağladığını, ayrıca bireylerin biyofilik ortamlarda daha rahat ve verimli şekilde çalışabileceklerini, daha fazla kitap okuyabileceklerini ve sosyal etkileşimlerini artırabileceklerini göstermektedir. Diğer bir sonuçta, biyofilik tasarım unsurlarına yönelik yapılan değerlendirmelerin katılımcıların cinsiyet, yaş ve eğitim düzeyine göre farklılaştığını ve kullanıcı tercihleri üzerinde etkili olabileceğini göstermektedir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, bitki, su, ahşap, taş gibi doğal unsurlar bulunan biyofilik tasarımın bireylerin mekân tercihlerini ve memnuniyetini olumlu yönde etkileyebileceğini açıkça ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Biyofilik Tasarım
• Kitapevi
• Kafe
• Iç Mekân
• Algı.

Teşekkür

Araştırma anketini doldurarak katkı sağlayan değerli katılımcılara çok teşekkür ederiz.

Kaynakça

1. [1] TUİK (2022). 2021 yılı adrese dayalı nüfus kayıt sistemi sonuçları, Haber Bülteni, Sayı: 45500. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=45500
2. [2] Cengiz, B., Karaelmas, D., Karakoç, M. (2019). İç mekân bitkilerinin insan sağlığına etkileri. International Black Sea Coastline Countries Symposium. July 20-22, Samsun-Türkiye, s:561-568
3. [3] Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420–421.
4. [4] Kaplan, R., Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.
5. [5] Heerwagen, J. H. (2009). Biophilia and healing environments: healthy life styles. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(3), 227-233.
6. [6] Mehrabian, A., Russell, J. A. (1974). An aapproach to environmental psychology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
7. [7] Nasar, J. L. (1998). The evaluative image of the city. Sage Publications.
8. [8] Kellert, S. R. (2018). Nature by design: The practice of biophilic design. Yale University Press.

9. [9] Kellert, S. R., Calabrese, E. (2015). Biophilic design: the theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. Wiley.
10. [10] Güçlü, K., (1999). İç mekân bitkileri. Atatürk Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Ders Notları No:148. Erzurum: Atatürk Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Ofset Tesisi.
11. [11] Ulrich, R.S., Simons, R.F., Losito, B.D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M.A., Zelson, M, (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11, 201-30
12. [12] Shibata, S., Suzuki, N., (2001). Effects of indoor foliage plants on subjects’ recovery from mental fatigue. North American Journal of Psychology, 3 (2), 385-396.
13. [13] Chang, C.Y, Chen P.K. (2005). Human response to window views and indoor plants in workspace. Hortscience, 40 (5): 1354-1359.
14. [14] Yoo, M.H, Kwon, Y.J, Son, K.C, Kays, S.J. (2006). Efficacy of indoor plants for the removal of single and mixed volatile organic pollutants and physiological effects of the volatiles on the plants. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 131, 452-458.
15. [15] Bringslimark, T., Hartig, T., Patil, G. (2007). Psychological benefits of indoor plants in workplaces: Putting experimental results into context. Hortscience, 42 (3), 581-587.
16. [16] Ulrich, R.S. (1981). Natural versus scenes: Some psychophysiological effects. Environ. Behavior, 13, 523-556
17. [17] Ulrich, R.S. (1991). Psychophysiological indicators of leisue, pp. 73-89. In: B.L. Driver, P.J. Brown, and G. L. Peterson (eds.). Benefits of leisure. State College, Pa.: Venture Publishing Inc.
18. [18] Ulrich, R.S, Simons, R.F. (1986). Recovery from stress during exposure to everyday outdoor environments, pp. 115-122. Proc. 17th Annu. Conf. Environ. Design. Res. Assn.
19. [19] Ulrich, R.S., Parsons, R. (1992). Influences of passive experiences with plants on individual well-being and health, pp. 93-105. In: D. Relf (ed.). The role of horticulture in human well-being and social development. Portland, Ore: Timber Press.
20. [20] Hartig T., Mang, M., Evans, G.W. (1991). Restorative effects of natural environment experiences. Environ. Behavior, 28, 44-72.
21. [21] Giese, M., Bauer-Doranth, U., Langebartels, C., Sandermann, H., Jr. (1994). Detoxification of formaldehyde by the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum L.) and by soybean (Glycine max L.) cell suspension cultures. Plant Physiology, 104(4), 1301-1309.
22. [22] Wolverton, B.C, Wolverton, J.D. (1996). Interior Plants: Their Influence on Airborne Microbes Inside Energy-Efficient Buildings. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. 41(2): 99-105.
23. [23] Dijkstra, K., Pieterse, M. E., Pruyn, A. (2008). Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants in the built healthcare environment: The mediating role of perceived attractiveness. Preventive medicine, 47 (3), 279-283.
24. [24] Bringslimark, T., Hartig, T., Patil, G.G. (2009). The psychological benefits of indoor plants: a critical review of the experimental literature, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29, 422–433.
25. [25] Ranaas, R.K., Horgen Evensen, K., Rich, D. Sjøstrøm, G., Patil, G. (2011). Benefits of indoor plants on attention capacity in an office setting. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31, 99-105.
26. [26] Korpela, K., De Bloom, J., Sianoja, M., Pasanen, T., Kinnunen, U. (2017). Nature at home and at work: naturally good? links between windowviews, indoor plants, outdoor activities and employee well-being overone year. Landscape and Urban Planning, 160, 38-47.
27. [27] Sezen, I., Aytatlı, B., Ağrılı, R., Patan, E. (2017). İç mekân tasarımında bitki kullanımının birey ve mekân üzerine etkileri. ATA Planlama ve Tasarım Dergisi, 1 (1), 25-34.
28. [28] Yildirim, K., Yildirim Kaya, N.N., Olmus, F. (2020a). The effects of indoor plants on customers' shopping decisions in a restaurant environment. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 48 (12), 1301-1314. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-02-2020-0053
29. [29] Yıldırım, K., Yılmaz, H., Huyugüzel, B. (2020b). Çocuk odası donatı elemanlarındaki organik kimyasalların ebeveynlerin tercihleri üzerindeki etkisi. Gazi Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi Part C: Tasarım ve Teknoloji, 8 (4), 798–809.
30. [30] Yıldırım, K., Karakaya, A. F. (2023). Effects of indoor plants on organic chemicals released from furniture and decoration elements. DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research, 2(2), 215-227. https://doi.org/10.55755/DepArch.2023.24
31. [31] Selim, C., Akgün, İ., Olgun, R. (2020). Evaluation of the effects of indoor plant preferences used in offices, maintenance opportunities and air quality: A Case of Akdeniz University. Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 8 (3): 702-713, 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v8i3.702-713.3223
32. [32] Yazici, K. (2020). İç mekân süs bitkilerinin önemi ve tüketici eğilimlerinin belirlenmesi: Tokat kenti örneği. Bartın Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 22(3), 738-747.
33. [33] Yıldırım, K., Ünlü, F., Yılmaz, N. (2022). İç mekân bitkilerinin kullanıcı tercihleri üzerindeki etkileri. ISPEC International Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 6(2), 326–334.
34. [34] Han, K. T., Ruan, L. W., Liao, L. S. (2022). Effects of indoor plants on human functions: A systematic review with meta-analyses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), Article 7454. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127454
35. [35] Lee, M. S., Lee, J., Park, B. J., Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: A randomized crossover study. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 34(21). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8
36. [36] de Vries, S., Hermans, T. H., Langers, F. L. (2023). Effects of indoor plants on office workers: A field study in multiple Dutch organizations. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1196106. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1196106
37. [37] Şenozan, M. I. (2018). İnsan-mekan-doğa etkileşiminin sürdürülebilir bir öğretisi olarak biyofilik tasarım (Master's thesis, Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi).
38. [38] Hähn, N., Essah, E., Blanusa, T. (2021). Biophilic design and office planting: a case study of effects on perceived health, well-being and performance metrics in the workplace. Intelligent Buildings International, 13(4), 241-260.
39. [39] İrfanoğlu, H. İ., Suri, L. (2022). Biyofilik tasarim kriterlerinin mekanlar üzerinden değerlendirilmesi. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 21(41), 95-116.
40. [40] Kahveci, H. (2023). İç mekanda bitkisel tasarım yaklaşımları üzerine bir stüdyo deneyimi. Kent Akademisi, 16(1), 318-337.
41. [41] Moslehian, A. S., Roös, P. B., Gaekwad, J. S., Van Galen, L. (2023). Potential risks and beneficial impacts of using indoor plants in the biophilic design of healthcare facilities: A scoping review. Building and Environment, 233, 110057.
42. [42] Yıldırım, K., Bitkilerin iç mekân kirleticileri üzerindeki etkileri, İçmimar Dergisi, Cilt 28, Sayfa: 107-115, Haziran/Temmuz 2013. (TMMOB İçmimarlar Odası Resmi Yayın Organıdır)
43. [43] Yıldırım, K., Ünlü, F. (2013). Determination of users’ knowledge on the impact of organic chemicals in interior equipment elements on health: Ankara/Turkey sample. Open Environmental Journal, 7, 32-40.
44. [44] Ünlü, F., Yıldırım, K., (2015). "Exploring the Knowledge Level of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Students' on Indoor Air Pollutants", MEGARON, Vol. 10 (4), 622-636.
45. [45] Ayalp, N., Yıldırım, K., Bozdayı, M., Çağatay, K. (2016). Consumers’ Evaluations of fitting rooms in retail clothing stores. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 44 (5), 524-539.
46. [46] Yıldırım, K., Akalın, A. (2009). Problems related to the dimensions of curved areas in the main living rooms of apartment housing. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 26(1), 70-87.
47. [47] Çağatay, K., Hidayetoğlu, M. L. Yıldırım, K. (2017). Lise koridor duvarlarında kullanılan renklerin öğrencilerin algısal değerlendirmeleri üzerindeki etkileri. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 32 (2), 466-479.
48. [48] Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297-334.
49. [49] Ayalp N, Yildirim K, Cagatay K (2017). Effect on users of the seating element types in cafés / restaurants. Gazi University Journal of Science, 30(4): 15-28. https://izlik.org/JA83FL99YL
50. [50] Yildirim K, Ayalp N, Aktas G G, Hidayetoglu M L (2014). Consumer perceptions and functional evaluations of cash desk types in the clothing retail context. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 42(6): 542-552. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-03-2013-0056
51. [51] Yildirim K, Cagatay K, Hidayetoglu M L (2015). The effect of age, gender and education level on customer evaluations of retail furniture store atmospheric attributes. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 43(8): 712-726. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-01-2013-0034
52. [52] Dalay, L. (2020). The impact of biophilic design elements on the atmospheric perception of the interior space. Uluslararası Peyzaj Mimarlığı Araştırmaları Dergisi (IJLAR) E-ISSN: 2602-4322, 4(2), 4-20.
53. [53] Tekin, B. H., İzmir Tunahan, G., Disci, Z. N., Özer, H. S. (2025). Biophilic design in the built environment: Trends, gaps and future directions. Buildings, 15(14), 2516. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142516
54. [54] Pathak, A. S. (2026, March). Biophilic design in interior architecture: Enhancing well-being and sustainability. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Creativity, Innovation & Design (ICCID 2025) (p. 135). Springer Nature.
55. [55] Usip, E., Essien, E., Ema, I. (2026). A review of biophilic architectural design strategies and their effects on human wellbeing in contemporary built environments. Discover Environment, 4(1), 170.