Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 12(2), pp. 1091 - 1103
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120231
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Arguing Faux Biophilia Concepts in F&B Interior Design: A Case Study Applied in Duhok City

Ahmad Afara ^*, Mustafa Aziz Amen , Maysan El Ayoubi , Dana Ramadhan , Jalal Alani
Department of Design, The American University of Kurdistan, Iraq

ABSTRACT

Applying interior planting became a challenge yet a visual trend, which is often employed to promote the Biophilia concept as a style in interior design. However, the field's continuous expansion, driven by the aspiration to enhance the quality of life in interior spaces, underscores a persistent knowledge gap. This study investigates the impact of using actual/natural versus faux/artificial interior plants on individuals' psychological comfort and well-being, surveying 120 seated customers across six restaurants and coffee shops in Duhok City in Iraq as an example on regular weekdays. Three establishments feature natural interior planting, while the others use only artificial planting. The study employs a developed measuring tool from the MIND features of the WELL Building Standard, incorporating two key features, Beauty and Design I and II, and Biophilia I and II. The results indicate that participants exposed to natural interior plants report significantly higher levels of psychological comfort and well-being compared to those exposed to artificial planting. These findings underscore the significance of integrating natural elements in interior design, discouraging the use of artificial interior plants. This contribution enriches scholarly discourse, emphasizing the pivotal role of natural biophilic elements in advancing individuals' well-being within interior environments.

KEYWORDS
Biophilic Design, Interior Planting, Psychological Comfort, Well-being, Design Psychology

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Ahmad Afara , Mustafa Aziz Amen , Maysan El Ayoubi , Dana Ramadhan , Jalal Alani , "Arguing Faux Biophilia Concepts in F&B Interior Design: A Case Study Applied in Duhok City," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 1091 - 1103, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120231.

(b). APA Format:
Ahmad Afara , Mustafa Aziz Amen , Maysan El Ayoubi , Dana Ramadhan , Jalal Alani (2024). Arguing Faux Biophilia Concepts in F&B Interior Design: A Case Study Applied in Duhok City. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 12(2), 1091 - 1103. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120231.