Biophilic Design: for the love of nature

I’ll admit it. I’m a bonified biophiliac… that is, I’m a lover of nature.

But I had no idea there was a entire design concept created around this affinity. Did you? (and if you did, why didn’t you tell me?!?)

It’s called Biophilic Design, and at it’s core is the belief that people have an innate desire… nay, a need… to connect with the natural world; and that the lack of connection - through time spent indoors in unnatural environments with a little access to fresh air, natural light, and green space - has a negative affect on our overall performance and wellbeing. It offers a solution to nature-deprived buildings by proposing that incorporating natural elements into the built environment will improve our mental & physical health, focus & productivity, and overall wellbeing. And studies support it.

So whether you are designing a home, office, church, school, or any community space, here are 6 ways to use biophilic design to bring nature in:
-create access to natural light and fresh air
-incorporate water features like fountains - either inside or views of outside features
-incorporate plants and green spaces, create living walls and indoor gardens/atriums
-provide access to direct (windows) and indirect (artwork) images of nature
-use natural materials like wood and natural colors like blues, greens and browns
-incorporate natural shapes, forms, patters and textures

Check out these resources to learn more: