Nature-based materials and their role in improving human experience
November 20th, 2024
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Design that incorporates natural materials have a greater likelihood of producing a neuroaesthetic (N.A.) experience? Could the incorporation of nature-based materials in products and spaces positively impact human physiology & psycho physiology?
Left umbrella with bamboo handle. Right: umbrella with plastic nylon handle.Natural materials, such as wood, cotton, and hemp, have shown promise in calming the body and mind. This is the foundation of many biophilic design practices, that emphasize the inherent human connection to natural elements. Studies in Environmental Psychology have shown that materials derived from nature can reduce stress levels, enhance mood, and promote a sense of well-being (Bringslimark et al., 2009). These effects are amplified in high stress environments like workplaces, healthcare spaces, and educational contexts.
Humanise by Thomas Heatherwich 2023Wood, in particular, has been extensively studied for its stress-reducing properties. Nyrud et al. (2014) demonstrated that exposure to wooden surfaces in interior environments can lower cortisol levels—a key biomarker of stress. Participants in their study reported feeling more relaxed and comfortable in rooms with visible wood compared to spaces dominated by synthetic materials like plastic or metal. The tactile warmth and organic patterns of wood, including its natural grain and texture, may trigger positive psychological responses akin to spending time in natural outdoor settings.
Same garment pattern, fit, and size. Left predominantly cotton blend, right is a polyester polymer. Textiles like cotton and hemp also play a critical role in reducing stress, particularly through their tactile properties. Soft, breathable fabrics provide a sensory experience that reduces skin irritation and improves comfort. Research has shown that individuals wearing natural fibers, such as cotton, report greater emotional satisfaction and physical comfort compared to those wearing synthetic alternatives (Patel et al., 2020). Hemp textiles, with their antimicrobial properties and temperature-regulating abilities, further enhance this calming effect by reducing environmental stressors, such as excessive heat or skin irritants (Mukherjee & Dutta, 2019).
Left: a stool produced in my ‘Product by Process’ studio Fall 2023 using compression molded bananna leaf fibers and startch based bioplastic composite. Right: an injection molded plastic stool.
The visual and olfactory attributes of natural materials may also contribute to their ability to calm ones nervous system. For example, the subtle scent of untreated wood or the earthy aroma of hemp can evoke a connection to the natural world, which has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce mental fatigue (Jo et al., 2013). This sensory stimulation taps into deep-seated evolutionary preferences for natural elements, fostering a sense of safety and tranquility. There is significant promis in natural materials ability to possibly act as passive interventions for stress management.
Diagram:
The theory was developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in the 1980s in their book The experience of nature: A psychological perspective,[2][3][4] and has since been found by others to hold true in medical outcomes as well as intellectual task attention, as described below. (Berman et al. discuss the foundation of the attention restoration theory (ART). https://www.iccpp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Attention-Restoration-therapy-ART.pdf)
“ART is based on past research showing the separation of attention into two components: involuntary attention, where attention is captured by inherently intriguing or important stimuli, and voluntary or directed attention, where attention is directed by cognitive-control processes.” Rachel Kaplan 1989
The psychological benefits of natural materials extend to cognitive function. Exposure to biophilic elements, including natural materials, has been associated with improved focus and creativity. Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory (ART) posits that natural elements can replenish depleted cognitive resources by providing a calming, restorative environment (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). This theory has been further supported by studies, which found that environments incorporating natural wood or fabrics helped users perform better in tasks requiring sustained attention and reduced the likelihood of burnout (Lee et al., 2018).
Basic Elements of Biophilic Design adapted from Duzenli et al., 2015.
When looking at design created in the aim of produceing an neuroaesthetic experience what role does cultural bias play? Does the incorporation of natural materials and biophilic design priniciples create more universally impactful outcomes?
Can the use of nature-based materials mititgate the impact of cultural reference and bias when it comes to aesthetic experiences?
Left: Eames plywood stool 1946 compression molded plywood and veneer set with a heat resin. Right: Panton “Panton chair” 1959 phosphorescent pigments on polyurethane shell sealed with highgloss resin. Phosphorescent based pigments are what give this chair a cool hue. Both of the above chairs are largely accepted as ‘good design’ by western and western influenced populations. I hypothesize that the wooden Eames stool maybe more universally appricated then the Panton chair due to its incorporation of natural materials.
Milan Design week 2019 project led by Googles Design Lead Ivy Ross
During Milan Design Week Google and Johns Hopkins International Arts + Mind Lab created a multiroom immersive experience for visitors. They collected biologic data (heart rate and skin conductivity) of visitors as they explored 3 different interiors (above) and found that all three interiors had a positive impact on most visitors.
What was interesting though was in interviews and in biometric data visitors with non-western or lower socioeconomic histories showed positive biometric markers for the first interior (left) and less promising biometric data for the more ‘modern’ interior on the right.
The extent to which design can impact our wellbeing may vary based on cultural, geographical, and individual factors.
Skyspace Ta Khut by James Turrell
From a psycho-physiological perspective, nature also holds a restorative power that appears to be universal. Kaplan and Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART) posits that natural environments provide "soft fascination," a type of sensory engagement that effortlessly holds attention while allowing the cognitive system to recover from fatigue (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). Unlike urban environments, which often demand intense directed attention, natural settings promote a form of mental restfulness that can rejuvenate depleted psychological resources. This restorative effect has been observed across diverse demographic groups, suggesting a shared human tendency to derive emotional and cognitive relief from nature.
While biophilia appears to be a widespread phenomenon, the specific natural elements that evoke emotional responses can differ. For example, individuals from coastal regions may find greater emotional value in oceanic environments, while those from forested areas may resonate more with wooded landscapes (Ulrich, 1991). Despite these variations, the overarching emotional connection to nature remains a common thread, supporting the idea that natural environments hold a primal and universal significance for human well-being.
References:
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(4), pp. 422–433.
Jo, H., Rodiek, S., Jin, M., & Kim, D. (2013). The impact of green walls on physiological and psychological health. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 12(3), pp. 433–443.
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Lee, J., Park, B. J., & Miyazaki, Y. (2018). Biophilic environments and attention restoration: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), pp. 523–533.
Mukherjee, S., & Dutta, A. (2019). Antimicrobial properties of hemp: A review. Journal of Natural Fibers, 16(1), pp. 1–15.
Nyrud, A. Q., Bringslimark, T., & Bysheim, K. (2014). Benefits from wood interior in a hospital room: A preference study. Architectural Science Review, 57(2), pp. 125–131.
Ulrich, R. S. (1991). Effects of healthcare interior design on wellness: Theory and recent scientific research. Journal of Healthcare Interior Design, 3(1), pp. 97–109.
Update coming soon:
After challenging this hypothesis further via informal interviews and monitoring ->natural materials and biophilic strategies can not be universally relied on to elicit NA response. However, they may be helpful in restoring attention and triggering sensory perception (the first step in NAE).