Does sustainability address perceived restoration? An exploratory study on Biosphera 2.0, a net zero energy house.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13135/2384-8677/4181Abstract
Individuals are not passively affected by the physical characteristics of the environment, on the contrary they react to it and try to modify it; their efforts are towards environments more restorative and sustainable from a cognitive point of view, i.e. environments where daily life is less stressful and more satisfying. The aim of this exploratory research study is to verify how energy zero house answers to these requirements. To this aim 29 volunteers (M age = 33.68; 14 males and 15 females) accepted to spend a couple of days/nights in Biosphera 2.0, a passive house award winning prototype. Participants were administered the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, the semiotic and sensorial aesthetic attributes and a Post Occupancy Evaluation questionnaire. Results showed that Biosphera 2.0 is not restorative per se, participants - in particular women - appreciate the experience of being-away from daily routine for a couple of days. However, participants are satisfied on a few specific characteristics of the prototype usually lacking in our daily environments: the absence of environmental stressors. Biosphera 2.0 covers the basics to be a restorative environment. Though exploratory and with limitations this research study shows that sustainable doesn’t mean restorative.
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