What is biophilic design? - CaraGreen (2024)

FAQs

What is biophilic design? - CaraGreen? ›

There are three pillars of Biophilic Design: Nature in the Space, Nature of the Space and Natural Analogues. To simplify, Nature in the Space is literally incorporating nature into the space. Adding water, plants, fish ponds, herbs etc. By definition, humans are drawn to nature and natural things.

Biophilic design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature. Biophilic designed buildings incorporate things like natural lighting and ventilation, natural landscape features and other elements for creating a more productive and healthy built environment for people.

Difference Between Biophilic and Green Architecture

While both approaches are important for creating sustainable and healthy buildings, biophilic architecture places more emphasis on the psychological and emotional benefits of connecting with nature.

Stephen Kellert is known as a father of biophilic design because of his widely accepted principles and framework around the idea.

: a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature : a desire or tendency to commune with nature.

Biophilic design comprises the 5 senses; sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing.

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.

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.

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.

It's a design philosophy centered around the use of natural elements like plants, wood, water, and natural light. The International Living Future Institute further defines the style: "biophilic design is the practice of connecting people and nature within our built environments and communities."

What is the theory of biophilic design? ›

Biophilic design fosters positive and sustained interactions and relationships among people and the natural environment. Humans are a deeply social species whose security and productivity depends on positive interactions within a spatial context.

Are you biophilic? The short answer is YES! Biophilia: a natural affinity to plants, animals, water – basically all things living and green.

Aspects that are unrelated or offer limited sustained benefits to people, such as desert or deep-sea habitats, microorganisms, alien species, extinct species, or obscure elements, are not considered integral to biophilic design.

Helps us create a stronger bond with nature, thus for caring to protect it. Biophilic Design is an innovative way of designing the places where we live, work, and learn to help us reconnect to nature.

This includes plant life, water and animals, as well as breezes, sounds, scents and other natural elements. Common examples include potted plants, flowerbeds, bird feeders, butterfly gardens, water features, fountains, aquariums, courtyard gardens and green walls or vegetated roofs.

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).