Biophilic Design
What is it, and why is it important when it comes to Interior Design?
Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, space, and place conditions. Used at both the building and city-scale, it is argued that this idea has health, environmental, and economic benefits for building occupants and urban environments, with few drawbacks. Although its name was coined in recent history, indicators of biophilic design have been seen in architecture from as far back as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon - Wikipedia
The healing powers of nature
Studies show that incorporating the natural environment into buildings can have a positive influence on psychological, physical, and social well-being. A growing body of scientific research is showing that the human brain and behaviour are intricately linked to the natural world. For instance, studies by Roger Ulrich have consistently found stress reducing and health promoting outcomes associated with passive viewing of nature scenes through windows. One of his studies, for example, assessed patients’ recovery from surgery. Half the patents had rooms with views of a small cluster of trees, the other half saw a brick wall. Patients in the rooms with the nature view stayed in the hospital for fewer days, used fewer strong pain killers, and had a more positive recovery process overall than the matched group of patients who had a view of the wall.
Similar results were found in a field study of office workers by Rachel Kaplan. Workers who had window views of nature felt less frustrated, had more patience, and reported more overall life satisfaction and better health, than workers who did not have visual access to the outdoors or whose view consisted of built elements only.
Research at NASA shows that long distant views – even views depicted in photographs and posters – induce a sense of “cognitive tranquillity,” a natural calming down of the mind.
Additionally, children in low-income urban housing showed improved scores on a standardised measure of attention deficit disorder (e.g. scores showed greater ability to concentrate) when they moved to houses with more outdoor natural vegetation.
These studies on well-being and cognitive functioning show that beneficial contact with nature can be sustained in a variety of ways. Urban settings without expansive landscapes can still provide beneficial contact with nature through indoor plantings, small-scale outdoor sitting areas with trees, and décor with nature themes.
From an economic perspective, people are likely to spend more on houses that have views of nature; buyers are willing to spend 7% more on homes with excellent landscaping, 58% more on properties that look at water, and 127% more on those that are waterfront.
E.O. Wilson claims that the pleasure we feel from being in beautiful places is part of the neural makeup of the human brain. Our sense of beauty evolved because it led our ancestors to seek out places that aided their survival and well-being. Appreciating natural beauty isn’t something that some people have and others don’t, it happens without effort or even conscious awareness.
The more our buildings can tap into our ancient sense of beauty, the more likely they will support us psychologically and emotionally, as well as functionally.
So how can you incorporate Biophilic Design in your home?
Considered as one of the pioneers of biophilic design, Stephen Kellert created a biophilic framework that outlined ways to incorporate Biophilic Design into your home, I’ve listed some of them below:
Natural Light: can be applied through the considered placement of windows, clerestories, skylights, glass doors, atriums and the orientation of the home, particularly the living zones. In the southern hemisphere, the living zones of the home should be on the north / north-eastern side of the home. This will not only deliver plentiful natural light, it will also help with natural cooling and heating of the home, reducing, if not eliminating the need for air-conditioning (more on this in a future blog).
Air: ventilation, temperature and humidity are felt through air. Such conditions can be applied through the placement and type of windows i.e., located to encourage cross breezes, louvres to enable them to be open, yet still provide security and protection from rain if needed. Skylights that open rather than fixed. Expansive doors to enhance a connection to the outdoors whilst also encouraging breeze and ventilation within the home.
Water: if you’re lucky enough to be able to have a view over a natural water body i.e. a river, lake, or the ocean, you’re a long way ahead in terms of biophilic design. If not, if you have a pool, can you orientate your kitchen / living areas to capture a view of it and its associated landscaping and greenery. Alternatively, a fountain or aquarium can also provide a connection to water.
Plants: Bringing vegetation to the exterior and interior spaces of the home provides a direct relationship to nature. Try to make it abundant, can you incorporate a green wall or many potted plants. When planning your landscaping, can you plant feature plants directly outside suitable windows. Windows as kitchen splash backs can also be a great opportunity to view natural greenery.
Animals: while this one may be a little harder to achieve, it can be done through aquariums, animal / bird feeders, gardens and green roofs. Passive viewing of tropical fish in a fish tank is said to reduce blood pressure and increase relaxation. (In my opinion, having a dog is the best, sorry to all the cat people out there, I’ve included a picture of mine).
Natural Landscapes: ensure your home makes the most of a view (if available) or a thoughtfully landscaped garden. Ensure you consider your window placement to maximise views of nature, whether it be a considered planting in your own garden or to capture an already present view from your property.
Fire: This natural element can be hard to incorporate, however, if it is possible to install a fireplace or firepit, it will provide colour, warmth, and movement. Candles can also be utilised.
Other not so tangible ways to integrate biophilic design and provide an indirect experience or representation of nature can include:
Images of nature can be implemented through paintings, photos, sculptures, etc.
Natural materials such as wood and stone or natural fabrics and furnishes.
Natural colours or ‘earth-tones’, such as those commonly found in nature, consider subdued tones of brown, green and blue.
Naturalistic shapes and nature-based patterns
Using organic materials that are susceptible to weathering and colour change i.e. timber decking that weathers to a light silver-grey, brass tapware that naturally patinas over time.
I hope this helps to understand a little more about Biophilic Design, its benefits and ways to incorporate it into your home. If you’re keen to learn more I’ve included references and further reading information below, however, please do get in touch if you’d like to discuss further, we’d love to help.
References & Further Reading
Building Biophilia: Connecting People to Nature in Building Design by Judith Heerwagen, Ph.D., and Betty Hase, IIDA, ASID
Terrapin Bright Green. ‘The Economics of Biophilia.” Terrapin Bring Green, LLC, 2014
E.O. Wilson, Biophilia, Harvard University Press
S.R. Kellert and E.O. Wilson, The Biophilia Hypothesis, Island Press
Rachel Kaplan, The Role of Nature in The Context of The Workplace.
14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, Improving health & Well-being in the build environment, Terrapin Bright Green
Biophilic Design: The Architecture of Life – an award-winning documentary
Image References:
Karlu Karlu Artwork by Olive et Oriel
Ophelia Sage Design
DMK Images