Assessment of Importance and Characteristics of Biophilic Design Patterns in a Children’s Library

This paper stresses the results of a consciousness survey on the characteristics of biophilic design elements and patterns applied within a children’s library. Biophilic design is a sustainable design strategy that intends to bring about positive change in users by integrating and linking people and nature. The aim of this study is to suggest a space design method for children’s libraries, applying several natural elements based on biophilic design patterns. To investigate space design characteristics based on the biophilic design of children’s libraries, we summarized the elements that have been included in patterns of biophilic design in previous studies, and analyzed the characteristics of biophilic design patterns in children’s libraries through case studies. Also, we conducted a questionnaire survey from 261 caregivers of children’s libraries. The conclusions are as follows. First, children’s libraries need to offer an experience of nature, considering a natural ecosystem. Second, children’s libraries need natural shelter space designs and open space designs based on natural elements. Third, children’s libraries need multi-functional space designs that enable reading, rest, gathering, play, performance, and facilitate children of various ages interacting with each other. Fourth, children’s libraries need space designs that can induce interest and experiences by various forms of sensory information created by natural elements. This research intends to find out the priority application method of biophilic design patterns and elements of a children‘s library through a survey of caregivers’ consciousness, and contribute greatly to the potential possibilities of the application of biophilic designs to indoor spaces.