Biophilia is a current buzzword in the world of well-being and workplace design. Planteria Group has written a White Paper on the subject, and there are lots of excellent in-depth pieces of work backed by research if you want to discover all aspects of this fascinating topic.
This blog article serves as a bite-sized look at one of the aspects of Biophilia…. the different types of Biophilic Models that exist.
There are three pillar concepts to biophilia-based design.
1. Nature in The Space
This refers to adding natural elements into the built environment. This is perhaps the easiest and cheapest way to introduce Biophilia to the workplace or living space and gives people instant access to all the feelgood associations of biophilia. Think potted plants and animals – for example fish tanks, office dogs and pets. Views to nature from the inside of the building, natural light, and direct access to nature like courtyards, gardens and roof terraces planted with greenery, also fall into this category. These direct connections to nature have the strongest impact on us as humans.
2. Natural Analogues
This concept refers to man-made elements that mimic nature. Artificial plants, preserved moss walls, representational artwork, patterns and architecture that evoke nature are all examples of natural analogues. Furniture with organic rather than geometric shapes. Woodgrain and building materials mimicking shells and leaves used in interior of exterior decoration are all excellent illustrations of the use of natural analogues.
Many benefits can be reaped from including natural analogues into a space, including reduced stress levels increased feelings of well-being and improved levels of productivity.
3. Nature of the Space
This concept refers to the physiological way in which space planning and architectural design affect our human responses and feelings. As a species we have evolved over millennia and our success is partially due to our ability to connect with nature. We are intuitively drawn to environments that will serve us and allow us to thrive or, entice us to explore. For this reason we find a Savannah landscape, with broad vistas of rolling pastures and a source of water such as lakes or a view of the sea to be the most attractive view.
We also find views involving mystery or even risk and peril as exciting, this explains our love of skyscrapers, and multilevel views such as mezzanines, atriums and spiral staircase as intriguing. Architects have capitalised on our innate affinity for these types of environments in their building designs.
Gaining more knowledge and insight into this subject is helping decision makers in the world of workplace management, design and build for happier and healthier businesses of the future.
Sources and Suggested Reading:
The Economics of Biophilia – Why Designing with Nature in Mind Makes Financial Sense. 2012 Terrapin Bright Green LLC
https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/the-economics-of-biophilia/
Biophilia (1984) New Ed by EO Wilson (ISBN: 9780674074422)
Human Spaces: http://humanspaces.com/
Planteria Group Biophilia white paper:
https://www.planteriagroup.com/blog/biophilia-white-paper-/29
Kellert et al., 2008
Biederman & Vessel, 2006
https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/14-patterns/
Edward O Wilson – “Biophilia”
FAQs
It is just now that design professionals and researchers are pulling these together en masse and presenting them under the umbrella of biophilic design. There are three pillars of Biophilic Design: Nature in the Space, Nature of the Space and Natural Analogues.
What are the three pillars of biophilic design? ›
It is just now that design professionals and researchers are pulling these together en masse and presenting them under the umbrella of biophilic design. There are three pillars of Biophilic Design: Nature in the Space, Nature of the Space and Natural Analogues.
What are the three types of biophilic design? ›
Biophilic design can be organized into three categories – Nature in the Space, Natural Analogues, and Nature of the Space – providing a framework for understanding and enabling thoughtful incorporation of a rich diversity of strategies into the built environment.
What is the biophilic design theory? ›
Biophilic design fosters emotional attachments to settings and places. By satisfying our inherent inclination to affiliate with nature, biophilic design engenders an emotional attachment to particular spaces and places.
What are three benefits of biophilic design? ›
Incorporating direct or indirect elements of nature into the built environment have been demonstrated through research to reduce stress, blood pressure levels and heart rates, whilst increasing productivity, creativity and self reported rates of well-being.
What are the three pillars of design? ›
One of the most essential parts when trying to get organizational buy-in for a design system initiative is articulating the benefits it will bring to the business.
What are the three pillars of building sustainability? ›
Sustainable development is based on three fundamental pillars: social, economic and environmental. The Brundtland report, which sustainable development is gets its name from – delineated the development of human resources in form of extreme poverty reduction, global gender equity, and wealth redistribution.
What are biophilic principles? ›
Biophilia is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature that even in the modern world. continues to be critical to people's physical and mental health and wellbeing (Wilson 1986, Kellert and Wilson 1993, Kellert 1997, 2012).
What are the three natural elements of design? ›
The basic considerations of natural design can be broken down into three categories: aesthetic, managerial, and environmental.
Who is the father of biophilic design? ›
Stephen Kellert is known as a father of biophilic design because of his widely accepted principles and framework around the idea. Below is a short summary of his biophilic framework.
Direct contact with vegetation, in and around the built environment, is one of the most successful strategies for fostering human-nature connection in design. The presence of plants can reduce stress, improve comfort, enhance mood, and prompt healing.
Who is the godfather of biophilic design? ›
Known by many as the “Godfather of Biophilia”, Dr Stephen Kellert's extensive works on implementing nature in design have had a profound influence on the way we create spaces.
What is the psychology behind biophilic design? ›
Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-being
Modern life often inundates individuals with stressors. BiophiThe biophilic responds to this by introducing elements that evoke tranquility. Natural textures, soothing colors, and the presence of plants have been shown to reduce stress levels and elevate mood.
What is biophilia theory? ›
The Biophilia Hypothesis: What is it? The biophilia hypothesis is the belief that humans are genetically predisposed to be attracted to nature. It states that all humans inherently love the natural world. This idea that we are drawn to and need nature was first put forth by a man named Edward O.
What are the 5 senses of biophilic design? ›
Biophilic design comprises the 5 senses; sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. The ultimate goal is to use these in conjunction with each other to create a space which reenergises its occupants and allows for maximum return on investment.
What are the disadvantages of biophilic design? ›
If not properly maintained, natural elements can become unsightly or even hazardous. Allergies: For some employees, exposure to natural elements such as plants or flowers can trigger allergies or other health issues. Space limitations: Biophilic design may not be practical for all workspaces.
