Used at both the building and city-scale, the concept of biophilic design, which aims to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct and indirect elements of nature, has become quite popular in the building industry recently.
Biophilic design is the way in which architects incorporate nature into building spaces to contribute to the health and well-being of occupants. By using building materials and characteristics that both copy and protect the surrounding ecosystem and providing direct access to, as well as views of nature, architects create spaces that address our innate attraction to the natural environment.
Nature-like environments can be created by consciously arranging natural elements and characteristics. It has been demonstrated that spaces and buildings where biophilic principles are incorporated can reduce stress levels, boost mood, increase productivity and enhance well-being.
Before the Industrial Revolution, the vast majority of humans lived in rural areas and engaged in agrarian production, living much of their lives among nature. As a result of rural migration to cities and overall population growth, it is estimated that 68% of people
worldwide will live in urban areas by 2050.
Even though living in urbanized areas has many benefits such as greater access to basic services, proximity to public transportation, and better education and employment
opportunities, it also causes isolation from the outdoors, which can impact our physical and
mental health in a negative way.
Considering that now people typically spend approximately 93% of their time indoors, now they seek a connection with the nature and all its benefits more than ever. The term biophilia was coined by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, which described biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.”
Later on, Stephen Kellert, considered as one of the pioneers of biophilic design, brought the concept of biophilia into architectural realm and identifying nine values of biophilia:
“utilitarian, naturalistic, scientific, aesthetic, symbolic, humanistic, moralistic, dominionistic,
and negativistic”. Kellert indicates that the evolutionary dependence on nature for survival and personal fulfillment constitutes the basis of biophilia In addition, Stephen Kellert has created a framework to explain the main principles of biophilic design.
According to these principles, incorporating elements such as light, air, water and plants are regarded as direct experiences of nature. For instance, bringing vegetation to the exterior and interior spaces of the building provides a direct relationship to nature.
Plants have been proven to increase physical health and productivity and reduce stress. As for indirect experiences of nature, they include natural materials, natural colors, biomimicry and images of nature.
Images of nature are emotionally and intellectually satisfying to occupants and they can be implemented through paintings, photos, sculptures and murals.
The interrelation of nature and architecture has a long history. The legendary Hanging Garden of Babylon is believed to have been a huge construction in classical antiquity that was adjacent to the water source and filled with a rich variety of trees, shrubs, and grapevines.
As for modern architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is often regarded as the ideal a model of biophilic design, since it embraces nature by placing the building, especially the horizontally extended cantilevered terraces, in the midst of nature.
There are several biophilic design principles that are frequently applied by architects. One of them, green walls and roofs not only add visual opportunities to connect to nature, but also improve the environment.
A green facade placed over an existing wall comprised of plants can reduce urban heat
island effect. In warm weather, a green roof acts as a cooling mass, deflecting sunlight penetration. In cooler weather, it provides increased insulation, resulting in decreased heating demands.
Providing access to and views of nature is another tactic used by architects to incorporate biophilic principles into a project. Some buildings are sited to offer extensive ocean views from windows or an abundance of trees in a sweeping landscape, others are not.
Therefore, when designing for urban and more industrial-like sites, architects might choose
to design courtyard spaces that feature trees and other flora to provide occupants views of and access to nature.
Improving air quality and ventilation is also vital when it comes to create a natural space. By using biophilic design principles and features, operable windows, rolling overhead doors that open to outdoor areas, solar chimneys that use the stack effect to help move air, or HVAC systems can be used to help promote healthy air exchange.
Access to natural light is a huge factor in the well-being of building occupants. Excess light could result in uncomfortable glare, while a lack of daylight could result in inadequately
lit spaces.
Sun shading devices, orientation and window to wall ratios can all be considered in the building design in order to optimize daylight. However, daylighting should not be limited to façade applications. Providing many windows may not always be feasible. Implementing solar tubes or multi-story atriums, are all good alternatives to allow diffused natural light to penetrate interior spaces.
Sources
https://www.biophilic-design.com/
https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/
designing-for-typologies/a4565-biophilia-inarchitectural-
design/
https://hmcarchitects.com/news/createaccess-to-nature-through-biophilicarchitecture-and-design-principles-2019-01-23/#:~:text=Biophilia%20means%20%E2%80%9Ca%20love%20of,and%2-
0well%2Dbeing%20of%20occupants
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/
pii/S2095263521000479
