The Impact of Biophilic Design on Cognitive Map Performance: A Case Study on Girls Primary Public Schools in Bahrain

Previous studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between biophilic design strategies and cognitivefunction. However, similar effects on primary schools, the main space influencing children's spatial perception,have yet to be explored. The study adopts qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate the impact ofbiophilic design attributes on children's cognitive performance, aiming to improve wayfinding strategies in primaryschools in Bahrain. While the interviews with boys and girls from different schools assisted in defining the studyarea and children's gender, an expert in school design shed light on wayfinding parameters used in Bahrain. Thecognitive map drawings collected from 67 girls between 9 and 11 allowed the study to determine thecharacteristics that influence girls' spatial perception. The study findings demonstrate the potential of eachbiophilic design attribute as an opportunity to design future primary schools in Bahrain that provide healthy andsustainable spaces for children to thrive and develop.