The Perceived Restorativeness of Outdoor Spatial Characteristics for High School Adolescents: A Case Study from China

Heavy schoolwork and overpopulated classrooms have made high schools overstressed environments. Previous investigations have identified a wide body of naturally restorative elements. However, evidence regarding the relationship between spatial typology and its perceived restorativeness (PR) for adolescents is limited. This paper explores the connection between spatial characteristics and PR by linking their restorative quality to how they are actually used. A high school with multiple types of outdoor spaces is used as a case study and typical spatial characteristics (area, distance, and openness) are quantified. A revised perceived restorativeness scale (RPRS) is exploited to assess the restorative quality of different spaces, and a self-reported questionnaire is used to map the actual usage. The obtained results reveal that: (1) the restorativeness of the selected spaces varied considerably, with a natural garden being more restorative than a built environment; (2) the area and openness were positively correlated to the PR, but the distance was negatively correlated; (3) the theoretical dimensions of “getting away” at high school are primarily psychological, not physical; (4) the actual use of outdoor spaces during breaks does not match the students’ favorite places or their PR. These findings expand our understanding of the role of spatial characteristics in PR in high schools and indicate direct links between campus design and restorative quality.