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Biophilic design brings closer to us the nature that is outside which, for many, it is far away.
Sorry to start like this, but I will start by doing an exercise. Imagine an animal in a zoo without any simulacrum of natural habitat? What do you feel? For me, this is absolutely uncomfortable to say the least.
Now imagine if hospitals had big gardens, if cities were greener than gray in concrete, if you could feel nature in your workplace (which could be your home or office). These are some examples of biophilic design.
Biophilic design brings closer to us the nature that is outside which, for many, it is far away. Research shows that the human mind feels very comfortable when in contact with nature and this may represent "reduction in stress and anxiety", "increase cognitive function, concentration and memory" and "enhance positive mood states, promoting a sense of vitality and purpose"(1).
Their anxiety level was measured by using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory test (short version). We found that participants in biophilic indoor environments had consistently better recovery responses after stressor compare to those in the non-biophilic environment, in terms of reduction on stress and anxiety. (2)
Plants, curved shapes, sunlight cycle, ventilation, colors, luminosity and textures, biophilic design is not an isolated element, it is a complex of sensorial diversities."While direct biophilic design includes a physical or living aspect of nature, indirect biophilic design offers an aesthetic feeling through an inorganic portrayal of nature" (3).
And speaking of plants, why not see some examples of biophilic design with vegetation?
1. Second Home - Lisbon
3. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital - Singapure
What if cities had human-centered and biophilic design?
Other example of biophilic design using materials and shapes.
Biophilic design is nothing new and Edward O. Wilson, in his book Biophilia published in 1984, defended the connection that nature has in the human mind. I believe that a trend does not need to be something new, it just needs to be a trend. I really want this to take hold and the cities and other public spaces to be greener and close to the nature.
And to end this post, still on the effect of green, I add a little bit of the Brazilian vibe, maybe I am missing the homeland? I am. Enjoy it!
1. biofilico design studio. (n.d.). biophilic design research studies. [online] Available at: https://biofilico.com/research.
2. Yin, J., Yuan, J., Arfaei, N., Catalano, P.J., Allen, J.G. and Spengler, J.D. (2020). Effects of biophilic indoor environment on stress and anxiety recovery: A between-subjects experiment in virtual reality. Environment International, [online] 136, p.105427. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105427.
3. Anon, (2019). Indirect Versus Direct Biophilic Design - TruVine Design. [online] Available at: https://truvinedesign.com/2019/01/01/indirect-versus-direct-biophilic-design/#:~:text=While%20direct%20biophilic%20design%20includes [Accessed 4 Mar. 2023].
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