Designing With Nature: Culturally Informed Biophilic Design for Community Wellbeing in New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis examines how biophilic design and design approaches drawing on Māori concepts can inform the design of a holistic healthcare centre in New Zealand. The research explores how architecture can support human wellbeing and ecological regeneration by creating connections between people, culture and the environment. Grounded in the theoretical foundations of biophilia, environmental psychology and Indigenous Māori worldviews, the study investigates how design can respond to Māori health inequities and broader societal disconnection from nature.

Employing a design-led methodology in which concepts are iteratively developed, tested and reflected upon, the study applies Terrapin Bright Green’s 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, Te Whare Tapa Whā and Te Aranga Māori design principles to a holistic community-focused architectural intervention. The research proposes a framework for integrating biophilic and culturally responsive design approaches through iterative design exploration and critical reflection.

The thesis suggests that integrating natural elements and culturally responsive strategies may support occupant health, contribute to ecological resilience, and enable meaningful engagement with place and culture. These outcomes are presented as evidence-informed design propositions rather than empirically measured results. The thesis offers a framework for biophilic and culturally informed design, providing insights for architects, educators and policymakers seeking to integrate human-centred and place-responsive approaches.