The Basics of Biophilic Design
Living Wall designed by Urban Blooms, located at MadTree Brewing Co. in Cincinnati, OH.
Biophilic design has been used in architecture and interior design for centuries. Elements of it can be found in houses, restaurants, community centers, government buildings, and religious structures all around the world. While biophilic design is not a new concept, it has become a hot topic in recent years due to the growing awareness that the design of the structures we spend the majority of our time in has a strong effect on us. The question remains as to what is biophilic design, and how does it benefit people and our environment?
Defining It:
Biophilic design is based on the concept of biophilia. This term, while it may seem intimidating simply means “The inherent attraction between humans and the natural environment.” While we may live in a very different world than our ancestors did thousands and millions of years ago, we still have the instinctual urge to feel connected to nature. Biophilic design deliberately attempts to design for the inherent human affinity for nature in the built environment. It does this by taking into account not only how design can bring in the natural environment to benefit us as humans, but also how it can minimize the adverse effects that our built environments have on nature and human health.
The Elements of Biophilic Design:
There are three main elements that biophilic designs emphasize:
Direct Experience of Nature
Indirect Experience of Nature
Experience of Space and Place
Let's break it down!
First, we have the direct experience of nature. Attributes that are placed in this element include Light, air, water, plants, animals, fire, landscapes, weather, and views. While we won’t go into the specifics of each attribute in this post, it is important to recognize that incorporating direct experiences of nature is the first element because it most directly satisfies people’s innate biophilia. Intentionally incorporating these elements into buildings, interior design, and other structures provide ample mental and physical health benefits to the occupants of the area. Some benefits include a reduction in stress, provocation of safety, increase in productivity, increase in attention, and increase of creativity…. just to name a few. One example of how these attributes are incorporated is the use of living walls and green roofs. These solutions are an effective and creative way to incorporate direct elements of nature in interior and architectural design. While the direct incorporation of natural elements seems to be the most intuitive choice, it is not the end all be all. The other two elements of biophilic design act as support and structure for the fist, making them equally important.
The element of incorporating indirect experiences of nature is another pillar in the fundamentals of biophilic design. This is accomplished through attributions such as images, materials, texture, color, shapes and forms, informational richness, organic aging, natural geometries, simulated natural light and air, and biomimicry. These attributions attempt to imply or simulate natural, organic features found in the environment. While many modern designs are streamlined and simplistic, the overemphasis of these design elements in our environment can leave people to interpret their surroundings as sterile and uninspiring. Nature’s detail and diversity have been linked to the development of human capacities for rational thinking, problem-solving, curiosity, and creativity. The ability to incorporate indirect experiences of nature into modern design provides a sense of focal interest and insight to inhabitants of the space. The message conveyed by the second element is, nature must be the muse not only for organic design elements but also for inorganic elements in order to maximize the benefits of biophilic design.
The Canal District in Amsterdam “Image by Daryl DeHart via Flickr”
The third element, experience of space and place, has the attributions of prospect and refuge, organized complexity, mobility, transitional spaces, place, and integrated parts that create a whole. While the other two elements of design had attributes that focused more on the physical aspects of biophilic design, the third element is less concrete. The experience of space and place focus on how the flow, balance, and cohesiveness of the design is perceived by others. If you step into nature, you’ll find exactly that. These elements encourage people to interact and create an attachment to the spaces they inhabit while minimizing frustration that can occur with less intuitive design.
The Gloucester Cathedral located in Gloucester, England.
Why It’s Important:
Yes, it is hard to deny some of the mental and physical benefits that biophilic design can provide, but it should not just be seen as a tool to utilize human function. The successful implementation of biophilic design depends on the conscious decision to prioritize human relationships with our environment. By doing so, we can create a more unified and symbiotic relationship with nature and each other.