Designing Cognitive Restorative Spaces in the Metaverse: The Impact of Virtual Biophilic Architecture on Mental Fatigue Reduction and Attention Restoration (ART) in Hybrid Work Environments
Keywords:
Metaverse, Virtual Biophilic Architecture, Attention Restoration Theory (ART), Mental Fatigue, Hybrid WorkAbstract
With the expansion of hybrid work models and the increasing reliance on digital interactions, mental fatigue and diminished attentional capacity have emerged as major challenges to workforce mental health. Attention Restoration Theory (ART) proposes that natural environments can facilitate the recovery of depleted cognitive resources. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of biophilic architectural design in metaverse environments in reducing mental fatigue and restoring directed attention among employees in hybrid work settings. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with the participation of 60 remote employees assigned to three groups: a standard virtual work environment, a virtual environment with limited biophilic elements, and a fully immersive biophilic environment. Following the completion of a cognitively fatiguing task, participants were exposed to the designed metaverse environments for 15 minutes. Data were collected using the Attention Network Test (ANT) and the Mental Fatigue Scale questionnaire and were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that participants exposed to the fully immersive biophilic environment reported a statistically significant reduction in mental fatigue levels (p < .05). Furthermore, attention restoration scores in this group were significantly higher compared to both the control group and the limited-biophilic-elements group. Design component analysis demonstrated that the presence of dynamic elements, such as virtual water movement and simulated natural lighting, exerted the strongest influence on cognitive indicators. The integration of biophilic architectural principles into the design of metaverse workspaces can serve as an effective strategy for managing digital fatigue and enhancing cognitive health in hybrid work environments.
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Copyright (c) 1404 Ali Eghbalinia
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