Biophilic Design- What is Biophilic Design?
Get Start with Biophilic Design- What is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is a way of designing buildings and spaces to connect people with nature. The word “biophilia” means “love of nature.” So biophilic design is all about bringing the natural world into our human-made environments.
The main idea behind biophilic design is that humans have an innate need to be around living things like plants and animals. When we aren’t connected to nature, it can negatively affect our mood, health, and wellbeing. Biophilic design aims to meet this human need for nature.
Why is Biophilic Design Important?
Today, many people spend most of their time inside buildings like homes, offices, schools, and shopping malls. These indoor spaces often lack any real connection to the natural environment outside. This disconnect from nature has many proven downsides.
- Higher stress levels
- More anxiety and depression
- Decreased productivity
- Restlessness and inability to focus
- Physical health issues like obesity
- Less creativity and problem-solving ability
Biophilic design combats these issues. It does so by adding natural elements to our built environments. Biophilic design brings nature indoors. It makes spaces more enjoyable, inspiring, and good for wellbeing.
Key Elements of Biophilic Design
There are many ways that architects, designers, and builders use biophilic design principles. Some of the most common biophilic design elements include:
Access to Daylight
Allowing plenty of natural light exposure through skylights, windows, etc.
Views of Nature
Providing views of plants, trees, water features, and other naturalistic scenery
Natural Ventilation
Allowing fresh air flow through operable windows and vents
Natural Materials
Using wood, stone, living plant walls, exposed beams, and other raw materials
The product has natural colors and patterns. They mimic those found outdoors.
Water Features
Incorporating actual water elements like waterfalls, ponds, fountains, or aquariums
Live Plants
Bringing the living energy of plants indoors through gardens, planters, green walls, etc.
Natural Shapes & Forms
Using organic, curved, asymmetrical designs inspired by nature
Biomorphic Patterns
Including symbolic references to nature through artwork, furniture, etc.
These are just some of the many natural design strategies used in biophilic buildings and spaces. Including more sights, sounds, and textures of nature is better for promoting wellness and productivity.
Benefits of Biophilic Design
Decades of studies have shown that biophilic design has many benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety levels
- Improved mood and sense of wellbeing
- Enhanced creativity and problem-solving
- Higher levels of productivity and motivation
- Increased ability to learn and keep information
- Better sleep quality from regulated circadian rhythms
Essentially, biophilic design allows people to live and work in sync with their innate human tendencies. This deep human-nature connection helps mental, physical, and emotional health. It does so in a better way.
Examples of Biophilic Design
While a relatively new field, biophilic design is being embraced and implemented worldwide. Here are just a few notable examples:
The interlinked glass domes of the Amazon Spheres in Seattle. They serve as an alternative workspace filled with over 40,000 plants.
The Bullitt Center in Seattle is one of the world’s greenest commercial buildings. It has a composting toilet system and an interior filled with natural light.
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (Singapore) has many gardens, water features, and open-air spaces. It is a great example of therapeutic biophilic design.
Ananuri Architectural Installation (Georgia) is a surreal, nature-inspired pavilion. It blurs the line between nature and buildings.
Many top companies, such as Google, Apple, and Mercedes-Benz, also use biophilic principles. They use them in their offices and buildings. They do this to promote employee health and innovation.
Getting Started with Biophilic Design
It is most effective on a large scale during construction. But, you can also bring it into existing spaces. Simple ways to get started include:
- Adding plenty of living plants, flowers, and trees
- Using wood, natural stone, or other raw materials
- Opening blinds/curtains to let in daylight and outdoor views
- Creating water features like a small fountain or aquarium
- Using natural colors, textures, and organic shapes in decor
- Playing recordings of natural sounds like birds or waterfalls
- Using artwork or accents depicting nature scenes
Small additions of biophilic elements into a home, office, classroom, or business can give health benefits. They also provide connection to the outdoor world.
Conclusion
Our environments are increasingly human-made and technology-centered. The principles of biophilic design have never been more important. By adding nature to our buildings and spaces, we can make them healthier. They will also be more productive and psychologically nourishing.
Biophilic design has many benefits. It boosts creativity, speeds healing, and reduces stress and anxiety. Not only does it improve daily life for occupants, but it also fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural systems that sustain all life on Earth.
Builders, designers, and the public are becoming more aware of biophilic design’s great advantages. It will become the norm, not the exception. Our well-being quite simply depends on maintaining a close bond with our life-giving natural world.
FAQs
Q: Isn’t biophilic design just for luxury spaces that few can afford?
No, biophilic elements include plants, natural light, and organic materials. You can cheaply add them to any building or space.
Q: How is biophilic design different from just decorating with plants?
A: It goes far beyond just adding plants. Biophilic design uses entire systems modeled on nature. It creates cohesive, flourishing spaces for people.
Q: Does biophilic design actually improve health and productivity, or is it just a fad?
Decades of research show that biophilic design principles boost the mind, body, and performance. It’s not a passing trend.
Q: Is biophilic design only meant for indoor spaces?
No, many of its principles guide the design of outdoor spaces. These include public parks, campuses, resorts, and more. They aim to harmonize nature and buildings.
Q: Does biophilic design conflict with energy-efficient or sustainable design goals?
A: Not at all. The two fields share many principles. They use natural ventilation and living vegetation. They can absolutely complement each other.