As the world continues to transform into a “concrete jungle,” biophilic design is a trend that is gaining prominence. While urbanization has its advantages, it frequently leaves the soul yearning for the solace of nature. This is the objective of biophilic design. It may be obvious and oversimplified to say that humans need nature, but it is also something that we may not connect to design. We have been instructed to design for aesthetics and functionality, and have learned the significance of sustainability along the way. How many of us, however, have considered designing for our intrinsic relationship with nature? A recent push toward biophilic design seeks to emphasize the significance of nature in interior design. Let’s examine what biophilic design is and how it affects human biology in this article. What constitutes Biophilic Design? Biophilia is a theory that was initially proposed by psychologist Erich Fromm in 1964 and subsequently reintroduced by biologist Edward O. Wilson. It is the human instinct and urge to connect with nature and other life forms.
Regarding interior design, biophilic design incorporates as many natural elements as possible, such as indoor plants, water features, and framing the view of nature. Indoor reflection pools, fountains, fish ponds, and water walls are examples of this. Skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and even large photographs of nature are also examples of biophilic design elements. Biophilic design exploits the contrast between light and darkness. It employs wood, stone, plants, and other elements of nature. It shies away from straight lines and favors organic forms. Biophilic design attempts to eliminate the barrier between humans and nature through inventive and sustainable means. What Advantages Does Biophilic Design Offer? One of the many lessons we learned from the pandemic is the significance of nature. Consider those days in quarantine.
You felt trapped within the sterile walls of your home and yearned for a simple walk in nature. Your inability to leave the house and connect with nature may have exacerbated your feelings of isolation and restlessness. This is merely one example. Here’s another illustration: Have you ever worked in a windowless office with no coworkers nearby? Regardless of how large or well-furnished the space was, it likely felt more like a prison than a cozy retreat. According to the biophilic theory, humans cannot feel without a connection to other life. Being “alive” can refer to a variety of characteristics, such as being creative, productive, and centered. Even adding plants to your office has been shown by psychologists to increase well-being by 47%, creativity by 45%, and workplace productivity by 38%. By incorporating biophilic design principles, you can have a positive impact on the inhabitants of your spaces. Humans’ natural habitat is the great outdoors. The majority of human history has been spent in close proximity to nature. Humans are meant to be in nature. Studies show that humans that spend more time outside and playing sports are generally much happier. So go out and spend time in nature, and maybe play a sport. We suggest football. To read more about UK Football check out LordPing.co.uk.
Due in large part to the industrial and technological revolutions, humans have only recently shifted to spending the majority of their time indoors. In fact, we do almost everything indoors, including work, shopping, and entertainment. Even when being transported from one location to another, we are inside. This has increased the feeling of disconnection felt by many humans. The incorporation of biophilic design principles promises to satisfy the human yearning for nature. Researchers discovered in the seminal report 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design by Terrapin Bright Green that the 14 patterns of biophilic design can reduce stress, improve cognitive performance, and boost emotion, mood, and preference. Here are a few of the most notable mentions: Visual contact with nature can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, enhance mental engagement and attentiveness, and have a positive effect on disposition and overall happiness. This is associated with lower rates of depression, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Optimized thermal and airflow variability (i.e., the subtle shift in air temperature and humidity, such as a cool breeze) can have a positive effect on one’s ability to focus in a space. This is associated with increased productivity. The presence of water can enhance feelings of serenity, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, it aids in memory recovery, enhanced perception, and psychological receptivity. Additionally, scientists have discovered that materials have a direct effect on stress levels. Particularly, wood with visible grain is known to calm the autonomic nervous system. Dima Stouhi writes in Bringing the Outdoors Inside: The Benefits of Biophilia in Architecture and Interior Spaces, “When it comes to functionality, wood can be used in all types of interior spaces (offices, hotels, restaurants, and homes) and still provide the same visual and emotional connection with nature. Architects frequently combine wood, vegetation, and an abundance of natural light to create a biophilic design palette that promotes health. Also recognizing the psychological and emotional benefits of biophilic design are health organizations. According to Jocelyn Stroupe’s report on biophilic design for Cannon Design, “research has demonstrated for a long time that connections to nature can promote the healing process. The most well-known proponent of this theory is Roger Ulrich, whose research more than three decades ago demonstrated that patients recovering from gallbladder surgery healed faster when they had a view of nature.
Other researchers have discovered that hospital patients who have a view of nature tend to recover faster than those who do not. Stress is one of the greatest challenges faced by healthcare personnel, according to Stroupe. Numerous factors contribute to this difficulty, but its root cause is the reason healthcare exists in the first place: to care for people. Every day, staff members face emotionally charged, high-stress, and frequently traumatic patient situations. Frequently, they cannot escape these situations, so they must deal with the stress in the moment and at work. The application of biophilic design could make a significant impact in this regard.” An Important Word of Caution The incorporation of vegetation, whether in the form of plants or green walls, is a wonderful place to begin. However, keep in mind the words of caution that Katharine Schwab shared in her article titled “What Is Biophilic Design and Can It Really Make You Happier and Healthier?” She explains that merely adding plants to an interior space is not sufficient to satisfy the human need for connection and meet the criteria for authentic biophilic design.
This is because biophilic design is based on the idea that humans thrive best when they feel connected to one another. According to what Schwab has to say about the subject, “It’s an ethos that positions interior design not only as an aesthetic or functional discipline, but also as a means to enhance people’s mental and physical health.” “What Exactly Constitutes Biophilic Design, and What Does Not?” A further argument made by Stephen R. Kellert is as follows: “In contrast, habitats composed of disconnected and unrelated elements offer few benefits to its constituents and may even be detrimental to individual members.” Therefore, simply introducing a natural object into an environment that was built by humans does not necessarily have a positive impact on the occupants’ health or performance, particularly if the natural object is unrelated to or in conflict with other, more dominant aspects of the setting. This does not rule out the possibility of incorporating elements such as water features, plants, and other smaller components into your spaces. However, this does imply that you should think about how to implement biophilic design principles from the very beginning of your design process, rather than as an afterthought.
