The Impact of Biophilic Design on Cognitive Map Performance: A Case Study on Girls Primary Public Schools in Bahrain

Previous studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between biophilic design strategies and cognitive function. However, similar effects on primary schools, the main space influencing children’s spatial perception, have yet to be explored. The study adopts qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate the impact of biophilic design attributes on children’s cognitive performance, aiming to improve wayfinding strategies in primary schools in Bahrain. While the interviews with boys and girls from different schools assisted in defining the study area and children’s gender, an expert in school design shed light on wayfinding parameters used in Bahrain. The cognitive map drawings collected from 67 girls between 9 and 11 allowed the study to determine the characteristics that influence girls’ spatial perception. The study findings demonstrate the potential of each biophilic design attribute as an opportunity to design future primary schools in Bahrain that provide healthy and sustainable spaces for children to thrive and develop.