Restorative Environments

Places that help reduce mental fatigue

and enhance wellness

Attention Restoration Theory (ART)

• Attention can be fatigued by overuse – leads

to stress, irritability

• Some environments are better than others

for restoring our ability to pay attention

• Benefits of such environments:

– Attentional recovery

– Reflection

Types of attention

–Directed

–Involuntary

Directed Attention

• Required to complete an assigned paper

• Required to drive in heavy traffic

• Required to hold up your end of

conversation during a bad date

Prolonged focus on something required, or of little

interest. Result may be directed attention fatigue.

Involuntary Attention

• Baby exploring hanging toy in a crib

• Video game

• Conversation on a good date

Attention held without difficulty, the mind is easily

engaged. Can help reduce directed attention fatigue.

Reflection

• Personal issues, problems

• The bigger goals or questions in life

– “Soft fascination” found in more natural

environments allows for reflection

– Places that are less intense and still mentally

interesting afford this more than

places/situations that are more intense (sporting

event, video game, bar, concert)

Natural Environments

Enhance potential for involuntary attention

– Quiet fascination

– Wandering and exploring

– Separation from distraction

– Colors, textures

– Views

Quiet fascination: wildlife

Quiet fascination: wildlife

Quiet fascination: color, form,

seasons

Wandering in small spaces: extent

Extent: Feel of extended time and space

Even small spaces can seem big if feeling of

“extent” is present

Japanese garden

Separation from distraction

Separation: Design features can mask or

buffer noise (Paley Park)

Moving water can create auditory

separation

Separation: Sense of enclosure

(Greenacre Park)

Auditory: Moving water

Visual: Vegetative buffer

Degree of enclosure is

important to success of space

Tree canopy creates separation

Awnings and arbors can

create outdoor rooms

Separation may also be achieved

at larger scale (Sheep Meadow)

Materials: Wood, stone, old

Don’t want materials to detract

Wood & Stone

Natural and fabricated stone and

steel in a playground

Mixed surfaces

old/rustic

Views – chance to visually explore

Views can be grand

Framing focuses the attention

View from a window

Marriot, Hilton Head SC

A view from the front porch

Children’s Hospitaledge of Hagley Park

Goal is to enhance restorative qualities

of environments with every day nature

• Places that are quiet and offer some complexity (fascination)

• Places that offer exploration & extent

• Places that are separate from distraction

• Places that include subdued color and textures (wood, stone, and old)

• Places that provide an interesting view (from a window, balcony or porch)