Participants & Community Partners

Two questions at the heart of the study:

1. What effects can biophilia have in places of worship, where people come to perform acts of devotion, study religion, meet with friends, family, and community?
2. How can religious beliefs, aesthetic choices, and the economic and technological capacity of those who create or worship in these spaces be transformed through an incorporation of nature?

Incorporating biophilic design in places of worship will amplify the connection between nature and spirituality that these spaces seek to foster. By incorporating biophilic design, building occupants will feel more attracted to the space’s nature-inspired adaptations while also enjoying increased monthly savings in utility costs from energy efficiency adaptations.  

PIs Alfaro, Assistant Professor of Interior Design, and PI Attallah, Associate Professor of Construction Management, bring unique experiences to nature-based design that inform the creation of this pilot immersive learning course focusing on the value of nature in the built environment. Alfaro’s scholarship focuses on the design and impact of sacred spaces, and Attallah’s scholarship focuses on sustainable efficiencies through technology. Together, these two emphases will provide an innovative experience for the students and an impactful experience for two community partners.