The Blog

By Mercedes Quintanilla.

The Mystery pattern comes from research on visual preferences and perception of danger, as well as responses to the pleasure of anticipating situations. The Mystery generates a strongly pleasurable response in the brain that is very similar to the anticipation mechanism, this is one of the reasons why listening to music is hypothesized to be so pleasurable since you can guess what’s next.

The benefits of the Mystery condition are suggested to include a preference for space, heightened curiosity, an increased interest in more information, and a greater likelihood of encountering other biophilic conditions.

Some of the common characteristics of this pattern are:

1. Light and shadow

2. Sound or vibration

3. Scent

4. Activity or movement

5. Artwork

6. Form and flow

7. Translucent material

The goal is to provide an environment that encourages exploration while helping to reduce stress and improve cognitive restoration (Browning, 2014).

Some of the considerations that allow you to create mystery conditions are:

• Curved edges.

• The dramatic shadows.

• Natural changes with time.

• Depth.

An example of this pattern could be the Japanese gardens, which is use to entice visitors to wander through the space and marvel at the sights.

References.

✓ Interface. (2020, January 15). Identifying the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design: Mystery. interface.com. https://blog.interface.com/mystery-biophilic-design/

✓ Browning, W.D., Ryan, C.O., Clancy, J.O. (2017). 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design (Liana Penabad-Camacho, trans.) New York: Terrapin Bright Green, LLC. (Original work published in 2014).