A NEURO-SCIENTIFIC APPROACH FOR MENTALLY RESTORATIVE ACADEMIC CAMPUSES

Abstract

The mental health challenges faced by university students have become a global concern, driven by academic pressures, social transitions, and financial uncertainties. The built environment plays a critical yet underexplored role in influencing these challenges, offering the potential to mitigate stress and promote cognitive and emotional well-being. This thesis addresses the need for restorative academic campus designs by adopting a neuro-scientific approach that integrates environmental psychology, neuro-architecture, and advanced tools like EEG and Virtual Reality (VR). Through three interconnected studies, this research explores the dynamic interplay between built environment variables (BEVs), ultimately developing a framework for mentally restorative academic campuses. Study 1 focuses on indoor environments, examining the psychological effects of dormitory (student hostels) settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. With university dormitories transformed into containment zones, students faced prolonged isolation, creating a unique context for investigating the mental health impacts of BEVs. Employing validated tools such as the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), this study quantified how BEVs, including indoor greenery, window views, and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), influenced depression and anxiety. A composite BEV score was developed to capture the cumulative impact of these variables. Results demonstrated that higher BEV scores significantly reduced the likelihood of depression and anxiety while enhancing productivity. These findings underscore the potential of targeted design interventions in dormitories to mitigate mental health challenges, especially during crises. Study 2 expands the scope to outdoor campus environments, employing EEG and behavioural measures to identify and evaluate restorative hotspots. Using a "combinatory restorative theoretical framework" that integrates Attention Restoration Theory (ART), Stress Reduction Theory (SRT), Prospect-Refuge Theory (PRT) and Arousal Theory, this study examined how natural elements like greenery, water features, and open vistas interact with architectural forms to foster mental restoration. Participants' neurophysiological responses were measured using Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA) and normalized alpha brainwave activity, which are indicative of relaxation and cognitive recovery. Key findings revealed that environments rich The practical implications of this research are manifold. For indoor spaces, the findings advocate for design strategies that incorporate greenery, natural light, and high indoor environmental quality. Simple interventions, such as adding plants, optimizing window placements, and improving ventilation, can significantly reduce stress and enhance productivity. For outdoor environments, the research highlights the importance of creating restorative hotspots featuring a balance of greenery, water features, and architectural layouts that provide both prospect (open vistas) and refuge (secure, enclosed spaces). Such designs cater to diverse psychological needs, offering spaces for both social interaction and solitary reflection.