Interior Design student Naila Hasan recently presented her research at the 2023 Interior Design Educators Council Southwest Regional Conference, where she received the award for Best Poster Presenter. She was selected to attend the conference and represent OU as a Gibbs College of Architecture Research Dissemination Travel Award recipient.
Hasan presented the results from her recent study, The Relationship Between Natural Lighting and Biophilic Elements and Children’s Behaviors, co-authored by Yeji Yi, assistant professor of Interior Design. This study investigated the impact of natural lighting and biophilic elements on children’s psychological well-being. Hasan wanted to determine the specific behavior changes caused by a lack of natural light and explore how natural light can change an indoor environment to positively influence children.
Yi and Hasan at the IDEC Conference.
Students and teachers spend 5-7 hours in the classroom on the average school day, so it is important to apply sufficient lighting practices in educational settings. According to Hasan, learning spaces with natural light encourage social interactions and make children happier and more active, as compared to spaces with less or no natural lighting. To test this hypothesis, she conducted a study of two libraries with different layouts and natural lighting conditions.
Hasan presenting her poster at the IDEC conference.
Library A had an abundance of light and biophilic design elements, featuring big glass panels and an open concept layout; Library B had a conventional, old structure with traditional windows and lacked natural light. The observational study was conducted between 2-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. on two separate days. Throughout the duration of the observation, Hasan documented the children’s activity, including the location and duration of time spent on the activity.
She found that children in Library A were more active, sociable and stayed longer than children in Library B. By comparing these contrasting spaces, she determined that natural lighting is very important for any learning space. As explained by Hasan, “We need to consider it as a primary element while designing. It enhances the space quality for the users, thus having an impact on psychological well-being.”
Hasan would like to thank Professor Suchismita Bhattacharjee for her support.
Robert L. Wesley, a pioneering architect and beloved mentor, has died at age 88. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Wesley joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1964 and became the firm's first Black partner in 1984. Throughout his career, he contributed to significant architectural projects while maintaining a strong commitment to civic engagement and professional mentorship.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to celebrate a series of recent accomplishments by Dr. Jim Collard, Professor of Practice in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design, whose work continues to shape conversations around Indigenous economic development nationally and internationally.
University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans E. [PA1.1]Butzer returned to one of his most significant works on December 15, joining survivors and past and present board members for the groundbreaking of a $15.8 million expansion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
