Evaluation of the Impact of Wooden Living Environments on Humans

Abstract

Wooden living environments are widely held to be human-friendly, warm, and relaxing. However, the scientific evidence supporting this social image is still sparse. Recently, there has been a growing desire among industry representatives, policy-makers, and consumers for scientific research that elucidates the positive influences of wood and wooden interiors in structures intended for human occupation. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of relatively recent research that examines human responses to wood in various living environments, with a focus on the methods used in such studies. We also review the methodologies used in several studies that have been conducted in related fields, such as architecture and public health, in terms of their applicability to the evaluation of wooden environments. Based on our review of the current state of research, we further consider future challenges that lie ahead in this field. These include accumulating data on vulnerable groups and individuals for a short-term exposure to wooden environments and exploring approaches to elucidate intermediate and longer-term impacts of wooden environments on health and well-being.