What Is Biophilic Design And Why Does It Matter?
What do we lose when we lose touch with nature?
Does a disconnect from nature influence how much we care about climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental issues? A recent study helped to shed more light on the effect of living further and further away from natural environments.
Today the global population lives increasingly in urban environments, further away from undeveloped land.
Cities are losing ever more tree canopy.
We see fewer cultural depictions of natural environments (looking at you, Disney).
Studies indicate our interaction with nature is related to how much we value it.
How can we mitigate this? By prioritizing biophilic design, we can make nature a part of our urban environments.
What is Biophilic Design?
The science of biophilic design is based on the principle of biophilia, a term popularized in the 1960’s by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm. The word stems from combining bio-, meaning "life," and -philia, meaning "friendly feeling toward". Quite simply, the term biophilia describes our innate love of nature. The term was originally created by naturalist Dr. Edward O. Wilson to describe our "innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes."
Today, biophilia is more commonly applied to spatial design principles, as “biophilic design,” which the Biophilic Design Initiative describes as “the practice of connecting people and nature within our built environments and communities.”
The elements that characterize biophilic design:
Integrated plants
Natural light
Natural ventilation
Natural materials & textures
Images of nature
Access to views of nature
Mindful spaces for restoration
“Biophilic design is the expression of the inherent human need to affiliate with nature in the design of the built environment.”
Why Does Biophilic Design Matter?
Part of the objective of biophilic design is to reinforce our connection to nature. This benefits us as individuals, and ideally humanity in general. The personal benefits are myriad - from stress reduction to acuity to mood elevation. More broadly, feeling more connected to nature makes us consider nature more. One of the aims of modern biophilic design is to promote an awareness of the need for the preservation of our natural environment.
What Are The Benefits Of Biophilic Design?
Experiencing nature has many benefits. Biophilic design has been shown to improve cognitive function and psychological well-being, as well as physical wellness. It’s easy to see why this design principle has been embraced by innovative corporations in their workplaces. The benefits extend to organizations and the individuals who work and live in the environments that embrace biophilic design values:
Improved sense of well-being
Stress reduction
Improved cognition
Improved creativity
Better air quality
Sound absorption
What Is The Future Of Biophilic Design?
By nature, biophilic design is future-oriented, always looking forward. Through innovation, designers continually seek ways not only to connect with our environment, but also how to do so in ways that don’t negatively affect the environment. Biophilic design has historically been most influential in large-scale public and corporate projects. However, improved access to better and more cost-effective construction materials - as well broader awareness - have made biophilic design more accessible for homeowners and small to mid-size businesses.
Biophilic Design Gallery
SOURCES
https://gatherit.co/biophilic-design-and-its-effects-on-human-health-and-wellbeing/
https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/7-ways-to-enhance-indoor-environments-with-biophilic-design_o
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/maria-mccain/bringing-outdoors-benefits-biophilia
Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life 1st Edition, by Stephen R. Kellert, Judith Heerwagen , Martin Mador
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