A soundscape perspective for biophilia hypothesis: Theoretical considerations and conceptual approach

This study proposes a conceptual framework to consider the integration of the soundscape perception into the Biophilia Hypothesis paradigm and to further investigate the positive psychological outcomes such as affection or cognition indicators, and physiological outcomes or neurophysiological outcome indicators based on brain signal analysis on building occupants. The biophilia hypothesis claims that a natural content environment has positive psychological and physiological outcomes identified as restorative. The established soundscape framework, which is still under exploration in indoor environments, will help frame the rationale of this study to understand the soundscape perception and consider how to integrate it into the biophilic theoretical claims. In this line of thought, the conceptual framework emphasizes the significance of not just the visual realm, as suggested by the Biophilia hypothesis paradigm through empirical, experimental, and theoretical claims. Additionally, incorporating sound can contribute to a more holistic approach. To do so, based on an literature review and also on our very preliminary study this conceptual framework is an extension of the soundscape theoretical framework. It proposes the integration of complementary theories such as Attention Restoration, Stress-Recovery Theory, Biophilia hypothesis, and the soundscape framework to be further implemented for healthy designed environments.