An Overview of Biophilic Design Research with Ecological Consideration
Bekir Hüseyin Tekin1*
1Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art Design and Architecture, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkiye
* Corresponding author: bhtekin@sakarya.edu.tr
Presented at the 7th International Symposium on Innovation in Architecture, Planning and Design (SIAP2025), Gaziantep, Turkiye, Jun 27, 2025
SETSCI Conference Proceedings, 2025, 23, Page (s): 67-74 , https://doi.org/10.36287/setsci.23.28.001
Published Date: 17 July 2025
This study presents a comprehensive overview of biophilic design research that incorporates ecological considerations, specifically focusing on energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and sustainability. While biophilic design has traditionally emphasized human well-being and connection to nature, its integration with ecological performance metrics remains limited. To address this gap, a two-stage methodology was applied. First, 117 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed using Bibliometrix (R) for bibliometric mapping and trend identification. Second, the records were screened using Rayyan.ai, where titles, abstracts, and keywords were reviewed to select the 37 most relevant studies. The results show a clear dominance of sustainability-related topics, with energy efficiency moderately addressed and thermal comfort significantly underrepresented. Thematic and content analyses revealed a lack of studies combining all three ecological themes, despite the growing scholarly attention in recent years. Furthermore, the most productive countries and institutions, particularly in Australia, demonstrate leadership in this interdisciplinary area. The findings highlight the need for more integrated, performance-driven approaches that align biophilic strategies with broader environmental goals. This study contributes valuable insights to guide future research toward more holistic applications of biophilic design in sustainable architecture.
Keywords - Biophilic Design, Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, Thermal Comfort, Bibliometric Analysis
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