AN EXPLORATION OF BIOPHILIA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF DRUG DE-ADDICTION CENTRE

(A CASE STUDY OF ZARIA, KADUNA STATE)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
The unquestionable human reliance on the natural world throughout history has reinforced the intuition of the human affinity for nature and the notion that human physical, psychological and even moral well-being is largely dependent on experiencing a diverse and healthy natural environment. This connection has ultimately influenced the decisions we have made thus far to endure as a species and has resulted in tremendous changes to both our natural and physical framework.This thesis focuses on creating an interconnection between life, nature and the built environment to create architecture that enriches our daily lives through the use of Biophilic Design. Different models have been proposed to explain human reactions to environments. In general, such reactions are framed as „liking? or „disliking? responses. Hence, research has shown that human mind has affinity with more coherent or ordered information found in nature, and that humans have a specific set of inborn or „hardwired? natural preferences for typical forms and spatial organizations. Biophilic design is that design approach that deliberately translates these attributes into the design of built environment hence, a drug de addiction and rehabilitation centre. The research work is built on the subject of exploring the use of biophilic design principles in the design of drug de addiction and rehabilitation centre, the problem definition being that biophilic design, among other architectural design approach, offers a better methodology towards providing an expressive and enhance living environment. The argument draws its background to the study of relevant literature and case studies. The site and its suitability for the project were also studied. By adopting these principles, a design proposal, through a well-defined concept, was developed for the drug de addiction and rehabilitation centre in Zaria. In conclusion, the research highlights two importantfacts: That biophilic design is a preferred approach to the enhancement of human psychology experience, visual effect and human comfort within drug de addiction and rehabilitation centre. Secondly, that the attribute of nature can be adopedt in solving problem of psychological recovery, spatial cognition and circulation inherent in drug de addiction and rehabilitation centres.