References
Note: Some links below go to abstracts (publisher pages) while others link directly to full-text PDFs or archived copies, depending on availability.
We are very excited to share with you some compelling research focusing on the benefits of having a connection with nature and the value of nature in our lives. The links provided with each reference will take you to an abstract or allow you to view or download the entire paper.
Some of these documents are scientific studies and others are compilations. Browse through and if you have any questions please contact us and we will happily discuss any of the topics.
And thank you for your interest in biophilia and Keeler Gardens.
The details of an emerging flower can also be quite captivating.
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212.
What is this study about:
– Tests whether brief interactions with nature improve cognitive performance (e.g., attention and working memory).
– Finds participants performed better on attention-demanding tasks after a walk in a natural environment than after an urban walk.
– Supports the idea that exposure to nature helps restore directed attention and enhances cognitive functioning.
Browning, W. D., Ryan, C. O., & Clancy, J. O. (2014). 14 patterns of biophilic design: Improving health and well-being in the built environment. Terrapin Bright Green.
What is this study about:
– Provides a practical framework of 14 biophilic design patterns to enhance health, cognition, mood, and well-being.
– Explains patterns under Nature in the Space, Natural Analogues, and Nature of the Space with evidence, metrics, and application strategies.
– Argues biophilic design reduces stress, improves cognitive performance and creativity, and supports healing, translating research into design guidance for interiors, buildings, and urban settings.
Clay, R. A. (2001, April). Green is good for you. Monitor on Psychology, 32(4), 40.
What is this study about:
– Summarizes research showing that contact with nature supports mental restoration and improves mood and functioning (e.g., views of trees, brief walks).
– Highlights foundational work on restorative environments and Attention Restoration Theory, noting benefits for attention, job satisfaction, and stress reduction.
– Describes practical implications for design and planning (nature views, green spaces, nature-informed interiors) to enhance well-being.
Franklin, D. (2012, March 1). How hospital gardens help patients heal. Scientific American.
What is this study about:
– Explains evidence that well-designed hospital gardens and access to nature can reduce stress, pain, and anxiety, and may shorten recovery times—benefiting patients and staff.
– Summarizes landmark research (e.g., Ulrich, 1984) showing patients with nature views recover faster and use less pain medication, and describes design features that make gardens restorative.
– Outlines practical implications for healthcare design: create accessible outdoor spaces, provide nature views, and incorporate biophilic elements to support coping and well-being.
Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas, S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95(4), 307–312.
What is this study about:
– Examines whether pet ownership is associated with one-year survival after discharge from a coronary care unit, controlling for clinical and psychosocial factors.
– Finds that patients with animal companions had higher one-year survival rates than those without, suggesting a potential protective effect of pet ownership on post–myocardial infarction mortality.
– Discusses mechanisms such as social support, stress reduction, and physiological benefits that may underlie the association.
Hidalgo, A. K. (Ed.). (2014, October). Biophilic design, restorative environments and well-being.
Click here for the article/report
What is this study about:
– An edited collection focused on biophilic design and restorative environments, summarizing how contact with nature and nature-informed design support psychological well-being, stress reduction, and cognitive functioning.
– Synthesizes evidence and applications across settings (interiors, buildings, and public spaces) to guide practitioners in implementing biophilic principles.
– Highlights mechanisms such as attention restoration and affective benefits that link environmental features to health outcomes.
Kellert, S. R. (2005). Building for life: Designing and understanding the human–nature connection. Island Press.
Click here for the publisher page
What is this study about:
– Foundational book on integrating human–nature relationships into design, arguing that connections to nature support health, productivity, and well-being.
– Outlines principles and case studies for applying biophilic concepts in buildings and landscapes.
– Emphasizes evidence-informed design strategies to reconnect people with nature across settings.
Kellert, S. R., & Calabrese, E. F. (2015). The practice of biophilic design.
What is this study about:
– A practical guide translating biophilic theory into design applications for buildings and communities.
– Defines biophilic design attributes and patterns, linking them to health, cognitive, and emotional benefits.
– Provides implementation guidance and examples for practitioners across project types.
Marcus, C. C., & Barnes, M. (1995). Gardens in healthcare facilities: Uses, therapeutic benefits, and design recommendations. The Center for Health Design.
What is this study about:
– Reviews evidence on therapeutic gardens in healthcare, describing how access to nature supports stress reduction and recovery.
– Offers design recommendations for creating effective healing gardens for patients, families, and staff.
– Addresses usage patterns, safety, accessibility, and programmatic considerations.
Strife, S., & Downey, L. (2009). Childhood development and access to nature. Organization & Environment, 22(1), 99–122.
Click here for the article (PubMed Central page)
What is this study about:
– Examines links between children’s access to nature and developmental outcomes, including attention, behavior, and well-being.
– Discusses disparities in access and implications for environmental justice and education.
– Synthesizes research and policy considerations for expanding nature access in childhood.
Taylor, A. F., & Kuo, F. E. (2006). Is contact with nature important for healthy child development? State of the evidence. In C. Spencer & M. Blades (Eds.), Children and their environments (pp. 124–140). Cambridge University Press.
Click here for the chapter (PDF mirror)
What is this study about:
– Reviews evidence that nature contact supports children’s attention, self-discipline, stress regulation, and social functioning.
– Highlights Attention Restoration Theory and mechanisms relevant to learning and behavior.
– Discusses practical implications for schools, families, and community planning.
Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420–421.
What is this study about:
– Landmark study showing post-surgery patients with tree views had shorter hospital stays, fewer negative notes, and less pain medication use than those with wall views.
– Provides early causal evidence linking nature exposure to health outcomes in clinical settings.
– Informs biophilic and healthcare design emphasizing restorative views.
Ulrich, R., Quan, X., Zimring, C., Joseph, A., & Choudhary, R. (2004). The role of the physical environment in the hospital of the 21st century: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Center for Health Design.
What is this study about:
– Comprehensive evidence-based review on how hospital environments affect safety, stress, outcomes, and staff performance.
– Summarizes research on nature exposure, noise, lighting, room design, and workflow, with design recommendations.
– Provides an agenda for implementing evidence-based design to improve healthcare outcomes.