Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, a concept applied at both structural and urban scales that aims to increase individuals' connection with the natural environment through direct and indirect elements of nature, has become quite popular in the construction industry in recent times. Biophilic design is a way for architects to incorporate nature into building areas to contribute to the health and well-being of building occupants. Through biophilic designs, architects not only mimic the ecosystem surrounding a building but also protect it and create spaces that appeal to our innate commitment to the natural environment by providing direct access to natural landscapes and nature itself, using building materials that do so. It is possible to create nature-like environments through the conscious arrangement of natural elements. It has been proven that spaces and structures where biophilic principles are applied can reduce stress levels, improve mood, increase productivity, and enhance well-being. Before the Industrial Revolution, the vast majority of people lived in rural areas and engaged in agricultural production, spending much of their lives in close contact with nature. As a result of migration from rural areas to cities and general population growth, it is estimated that 68 percent of people worldwide will live in urban areas by 2050. Although living in urban areas has many advantages such as easier access to basic services, proximity to public transportation, and better educational and employment opportunities, this situation can also isolate us from outdoor spaces, negatively affecting our physical and mental health. Considering that people spend approximately 93 percent of their time indoors today, it becomes easier to understand our need to seek connection with nature more than ever. The term biophilia was derived by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in his work The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness. In this work, biophilia is defined as "a passionate love for life and everything living." Later, Stephen Kellert, considered one of the pioneers of biophilic design, brought the concept of biophilia to the architectural field and established nine principles of biophilic design: "utilitarian, naturalistic, scientific, aesthetic, symbolic, humanistic, moralistic, dominionist, and negativistic." Kellert states that evolutionary dependence on nature for "survival and personal satisfaction" forms the foundation of biophilia. Additionally, Stephen Kellert created a framework to explain the main principles of biophilic design. According to these principles, elements such as light, air, water, and plants are considered direct nature-based experiences. For example, bringing vegetation to the interior and exterior of a building establishes a direct relationship with nature. Plants have been proven to improve physical health and productivity and reduce stress. Indirect nature experiences include natural materials, natural colors, biomimicry, and nature imagery. Nature imagery emotionally and intellectually satisfies building occupants and can be implemented using pictures, photographs, sculptures, and murals. The reciprocal relationship between nature and architecture has a long history. The legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon are believed to have been, in classical antiquity, a massive structure adjacent to a water source and filled with trees, shrubs, and vines in rich variety. In modern architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is generally accepted as an ideal model of biophilic design because the structure, particularly with its horizontally extending cantilevered terraces, embraces nature by placing itself in its midst. There are several biophilic design principles frequently applied by architects. One of these is green walls and roofs, which not only provide visual opportunities to connect with nature but also improve the environment. A green facade installed on top of an existing wall of plants can reduce the urban heat island effect. In warm weather, a green roof acts as a cooling mass that prevents sunlight from entering. In cooler weather, it provides insulation and helps reduce heating needs. Providing access to nature and nature views is another method used by architects to incorporate biophilic principles into a project. Some structures are positioned to offer a wide ocean view from windows or numerous trees in a broad landscape, while for some structures this is not possible. For this reason, when designing for urban and industrial areas, architects may prefer to design courtyard spaces where trees and other vegetation stand out, providing building occupants with access to nature views and nature. When it comes to creating a natural space, improving air quality and ventilation is of vital importance. Through the application of biophilic design principles, healthy air circulation is enabled by using operable windows, revolving skylights opening to outdoor areas, solar chimneys using stack effect to assist air movement, and HVAC systems that help support healthy air exchange. Access to natural light is a very important factor for the well-being of building occupants. Excessive light can cause annoying glare, while insufficient daylight can lead to inadequately lit areas. To optimize daylight, solar shading devices, orientation, and window-to-wall ratios can be considered in building design. However, daylight should not be limited to facade applications alone. Providing multiple windows may not be possible for every structure. In this case, light tubes and multi-story atriums are effective alternatives for allowing diffused natural light to enter 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