Abstract
Recently, as people have more interest in health, and some change takes place in their lifestyles, a demand for environment-friendly residential space is also increasing. Research on the introduction of natural elements is mostly conducted for humans to pursue a more pleasant and comfortable life in residential space since it has one of the closest relation with humans. Therefore, it is such an important assignment at present when environmental problems are considered significant. Based on such a necessity, this study analyzed the introduction types and characteristics of natural elements in residential space by considering essential and psychological aspects more than previous researches on residential space with practical and functional aspects. As natural elements, this study put limits on plants and water that are used a lot in the interior space, and by dividing introduction types into recomposition of courtyard space, spatial partition and decorative elements, this study carried out a case analysis of residential space structures recently completed in Japan. As a basic research on space planning that is desperately required by change in the residential life paradigm and on the basis of understanding about nature, it is expected that the results of this study will be used as design basic data useful when establishing plans of introducing natural elements for residential space in the future.