Biophilic Design: Living In Harmony with Nature
Created By RISC | 9 months ago
Last modified date : 9 months ago
“Deep in the human heart, there is innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life as it balances the mind and helps reduce stress.” Edward O. Wilson, American biologist who defined “Biophilia” in 1984 .
"Biophilic Design" was developed to connect with the natural environment and enhance the well-being of building residents with these basic principles:
1. Using natural elements in design, such as earth tones, water, sunlight, and real plants to alleviate stress and create relaxation.
2. Using natural shapes in design, such as botanical patterns, ovals, curves, spiral patterns, or animal patterns, as well as in sculpture and decoration.
3. Providing a natural sensory user experience with sight, sound, smell, and touch.
4. Creating relationships with space by designing a diversity of light, such as natural light, diffused light, shadows, space harmony, and blending indoor and outdoor areas.
5. Place-based design through emphasizing connections to distinct ecological and geographic factors, incorporating local culture and ecosystems to promote emotional recovery.
6. Promoting respect for and attraction to nature's beauty to foster environmental values.
Biophilic design has been frequently used in architectural design since people began to pay more attention to health. Many studies show the direct and indirect benefits of green space, such as 10% absenteeism among workers without access to nature. Views of nature in a hospital room can reduce patient recovery time by up to 8.5%.
WELL Building Standards is another standard that recognizes the value of nature in the MIND category (for more information, visit https://bit.ly/464PsoS). There are additional prerequisites for Biophilic Design:
• Natural materials, colors, shapes, or images inside the structure
• Plant pots, plant walls, or natural light
• Access to natural areas for building users with at least 75% of working areas within 33 feet of trees, water sources, or visible natural landscape
• At least 70% of the area with access to natural areas outside the building, with natural components such as tree cover in outdoor areas, and green area within 650 feet of the building's perimeter
Story by: Panpisu Julpanwattana, Senior Sustainable Designer and TREES-A Specialist, RISC
References:
Elzeyadi, I. “Daylighting-Bias and Biophilia: Quantifying the Impacts of Daylight on Occupants Health.” In: Thought and Leadership in Green Buildings Research. Greenbuild 2011 Proceedings. Washington, DC: USGBC Press. 2011.
Ulrich, R. S. “View through a window may influence recovery from surgery” Science, Vol. 224. 1984.