“Biophilic”, what a gloriously healthy, scientific and natural suggestive word. It screams nature, it sounds green and bountiful, it makes me want to drink bright green juices. But, what does it mean for architecture and building design?
Biophilic means to love life and living things.
So, if we design a natural, sustainable, habitual space, that we love and can thrive in; that is “biophilic design”. Think plants, living walls, running water, building with the landscape, huge windows, natural light, indoor / outdoor living, the list is endless.
Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson first created the concept of biophilic design. Wilson explains “Biophilia, is the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms.”
To survive in today’s fast paced and technological driven society, we desperately need to bring nature back inside. Or bring ourselves back outside and sit, uninterrupted in nature. Reconnecting our body and soul back to the earth.
By bringing nature and architecture together, we can begin to nurture our soul and therefore, improve our well being.
Rhode Island School of Design Nature Lab director Neal Overstrom explains. “As more and more of us live and work in urbanized spaces, disconnected from the natural world, it has increasingly become a front-of-mind problem.”
“Biophilia is humankind’s innate biological connection with nature. It helps explain why crackling fires and crashing waves captivate us; why a garden view can enhance our creativity; why shadows and heights instill fascination and fear; and why animal companionship and strolling through a park have restorative, healing effects” – Quoted from Terrapin Bright Green
With all this said and done, how can we utilize this ideal within our lives and way of living?
There are many ways we can reestablish our relationship with nature and generate biophilia in our lives.
Blended outdoor / indoor living, as seen here with Hlevel’s Sand Dollar residence design.
Working amongst plants and natural light.
Large windows, flooding a room with light
Using natural materials.
As shown below with a project from Hlevel – Lake Street Lofts, Chicago, IL
Living Walls, these I love.
WOW, I feel relaxed just looking at these images.
There is a wealth of information on the subject and it is such an inspiring concept. But far too huge to cover in a single post. However, I hope this has ignited your interest and you want to discover more?
Then please read this wonderful study by Terrapin Bright Green
https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/14-patterns/#nature-design-relationships
Want to incorporate this into your home design? Then please contact us here at Hlevel
Our passion is to bring great design, natural elements and sustainability together.
