KEY TAKEAWAYS
Biophilic Design Benefits Three fundamental design concepts can provide health, environmental and economic benefits.
Improved Health Designs inspired by nature can significantly benefit human health, comfort, and overall well-being.
Balanced Design Biophilic spaces create a sense of balance by embracing the elements of nature that surround us.
Bringing Nature Inside
Biophilia is increasing in importance to our health and well-being in the built environment. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans seek connections with nature and that we are biologically triggered to connect with the exterior environment around us.1
The challenge is to balance this inclination with the reality of our daily lives – we spend an average of 90% of our time indoors. Biophilic design elements can lessen the distinction between indoors and outdoors and bring both settings together into one harmonious and lively space.
Nature in the Space
One way to introduce biophilic design is to bring living elements indoors. Living greenery, such as “green” walls, interior planters, water features, and rooftop gardens are refreshing and soothing for building users. They provide a sense of lively interaction and a pop of natural color that evoke a sense of the outdoors. Interior plantings improve indoor air quality and contribute to sustainable design.
Natural Analogues
A more subtle way of achieving biophilia is to introduce elements of design that evoke nature – or “Natural Analogues.” Earthy colors, natural wood tones, leafy or floral motifs, and organic shapes are all ways to emphasize nature analogies. Although this approach features no living elements, a nature-inspired palette has still been proven to have a calming effect due to its connotations of the outdoors. Many architectural finish and material manufacturers offer products that are tailored to common natural analogues. For example, interior designers can specify carpet tiles that resemble a grassy cobblestone walkway, or acrylic panels with actual pressed leaves.
Nature of the Space
The last pillar of biophilia involves spatial organization and the visible connection to the exterior environment – the “Nature of the Space.” Large amounts of glazing that provide expansive views within the building architecture are critical. Providing direct access to patios, balconies and courtyards is a way to connect interior activities with the outdoors. When expansive views and glazing are limited, the illusion of an outdoor connection can be created with artwork or murals that depict outdoor scenery.
Benefits of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is more than aesthetically beautiful and calming, it provides health and physiological benefits by helping people feel relaxed and comfortable. Being immersed in natural elements has been proven to reduce stress, increase motivation, and decrease absenteeism among building users. This is particularly important for office environments where high productivity is a goal. Having access to large amounts of natural light helps the body maintain a consistent and healthy circadian rhythm. Studies have shown that connection to the outdoors can increase recovery rates for patients in healthcare.
Summary
Humans have an inherent need to connect to nature. We travel to national parks and nature preserves, relax on beaches, hike mountains, and explore jungles. Many of our favorite sports revolve around nature such as skiing, mountain biking, and surfing. We are more likely to spend more on houses that have views of nature, excellent landscaping or have a waterfront view. Creating biophilic spaces creates a sense of balance for all. The next time you’re in a space that makes you feel great, take notice if there are elements of nature that surround you and appreciate the biophilic design.
1 Wilson, Edward, Biophilia, Harvard University Press, 1994