Supporting Human Well-Being in Student Residence Design. The Importance of Net Zero and Biophilic Design Principles

This study investigated the relationship that a college residence has on student well-being in Toronto, Canada. Throughout the years there have been many different types of residences and this study aimed to determine the success and shortcomings of each. The research aimed to determine: How can net zero and biophilic design principals applied to the interior design of a new student residence, support student well-being and advance the goal for sustainably designed buildings in academic settings? This study used a triangulation of data to determine the viability of the hypothesis being true. The literature review assisted with the understanding of historic and current design trends in college residences, net-zero principles and biophilic design principles. There were two interviews conducted with administrators who work in a college residence atmosphere who helped to explain the unique needs of college students. There was one interior designer who was interviewed who also has experience as an administrator who provided valuable information on the design process through the lens of an interior design and administrative perspective. Finally, 11 surveys were conducted that allowed students to provide their unique perspectives on their current experience of living in a dorm. The results of the data allowed design decisions to be made including the positive correlation between the use of biophilic and net-zero design principles. These results were used to create preliminary design concepts and space planning in the conclusion of the study to provide the readers with an understanding of direction for the design of this thesis project. Key Words: Anthropogenic emissions, biophilia, dopamine, dormitory, food insecurity, heritable, homelessness, inadvertent, limbic system, macro, micro, net-zero, PAH, residence, thermal mass, well-being