Browsing by Author "Rosenborg, Emilia"

The aim of the study was to deepen the understanding of the interaction between housing materials, the surrounding nature, and human psychophysiological reactions. The study compared wooden and concrete buildings in a rural environment surrounded by nature. Ten healthy young adults and ten participants in the control group participated in the experiment. The study members lived alternately in wooden and concrete residential environments for a total of six weeks. The study utilized Oura smart rings to measure physiological responses such as heart rate and sleep parameters. Additionally, weekly surveys were used to collect information on the participant’s well-being and experiences. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the biophilia hypothesis and the Human-nature connectedness framework (HNC). Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS software, and qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis using the ATLAS.ti software. The study employed a mixed methods approach to gain a deeper understanding of the data. The results revealed that living in a wooden residential environment improved sleep quality, reduced stress, and increased overall well-being compared to a concrete environment. T-tests and ANOVA analyses showed significant differences between the groups (p < 0,01), which supports the statistical significance of the findings. Participants living in a wooden building reported on average better sleep quality and higher overall well-being. The study had some limitations, including small sample size and short study duration, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Repeated study designs conducted every summer could allow for a larger sample size over time and provide more comprehensive information on long-term effects. The study offers meaningful insights into how wooden residential environments can positively impact health, reinforcing the biophilia hypothesis. By incorporating natural materials such as wood into building designs, it is possible to create environments that not only meet aesthetic and sustainability goals but also enhance residents’ well-being.