Under normal circumstances, most of us are accustomed to commuting to and from our places from work. These workplaces often surround us with cement, drywall, computer screens, and phones. So, many of us have developed the routine of stopping at a park or other natural area during our commute back home. Once home, we again find ourselves surrounded by the comforts and commodities that separate us from the natural world. Those brief retreats into the natural world, short moments where we can hear the birds sing to the setting sun and the chorus of frogs and other amphibians welcoming the advancing night; are strangely soothing and reinvigorate us.
Unfortunately, the primary considerations that architects and builders take into account when designing and fashioning a structure are related to issues that revolve around human comfort and the “livability” of spaces. Sustainable architecture incorporates elements of energetic efficiency and carbon footprint reduction in homes. But, many supposedly sustainable homes resemble the anthropocentric bias of edifices that disconnect us from the natural world around us.
What is Biophilia?
In 1984, Edward Wilson wrote his seminal work, “Biophilia.” In his book, he proposed that we humans have a natural, perhaps even evolutionary tendency to affiliate with the natural world. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that human beings subconsciously seek a deeper connection to all that is alive and natural. Those relaxing and therapeutic respites at the nature park you pass by on your commute home, then, might very well be some sort of deeper evolutionary urge to reconnect to the natural world around us.
The findings of a 2009 study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health were stark. They found that human-constructed spaces that are entirely divorced from the natural world can act as a “discord” with potentially damaging psychological and even physical health effects. A 2014 UN report stated that by the year 2050, two out of every three people will live in urban spaces. Most of these spaces will resemble the worst aspects of urban sprawl and slums that have little, if any, connection to the natural world.
Besides the health and quality of life considerations associated with a complete lack of any sort of direct contact with the natural world upon which we depend for our survival, it is increasingly difficult to imagine meaningful conservation efforts by a population that doesn’t have contact nor a relationship with the natural world. The fight against global climate change, the loss of biodiversity, species extinction, and other severe ecological concerns is much more conceivable and plausible when people directly connect to that which they want to protect.
What is Biophilic Design?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that the average person spends close to 90% of their time indoors, both at home and at work. With so much time spent inside the confines of walls and roofs, biophilic design is concerned with finding ways to reconnect people with the natural environment through the design of edifices and how they incorporate elements of nature into the building itself.
Whereas green architecture is more associated with reducing construction’s environmental impact, biophilic design goes a step further. It aims to provide for our innate need to stay connected to the natural world. Biophilic design brings parts of the natural world into buildings. It allows for more natural light to illuminate indoor spaces, offers views of nature, plants, and animals from our windows, and incorporates natural patterns, textures, and materials into a building’s overall structure. In doing so, biophilic architecture allows those of us who spend our time in buildings to increase our connection to the natural world.
Three Tips for Biophilic Design
Biophilic design aims to be much more thorough and comprehensive than simply bringing in a few potted plants to adorn hallways. There are several different techniques to allow the natural world to permeate our living spaces. Below, we offer three ideas for biophilic designs that homeowners, designers, and architects can incorporate into any human-built space.
Large Windows that Look Towards Natural Areas
In most residential areas, the largest windows in a home look towards the street. While this might provide an attractive home façade, the people inside will spend much of their time looking at the street, cars passing by, empty lawns, and other homes. Many homes, however, have a more natural backyard or side yard. Perhaps you have a small tree line dividing your property from that of your neighbors. If that is the case, incorporating large windows that look toward it, or the most natural area on your property, will allow for a greater connection to the natural world. The visual connection to nature is one of the most critical tenets of biophilic design.
The Importance of Touch
Of course, we experience the natural world through much more than just sight. The materials and fabrics we use in our home can also connect us to the natural world. Instead of replacing your old carpet with new carpet, consider incorporating wood flooring or bamboo or cork flooring. Avoid synthetics and plastics and search for natural fibers for your textiles, curtains, and other interior design elements.
Allow for the Presence of Water
Water is one of the most fundamental aspects of the natural world, but also one of the elements most absent from buildings. Flowing water (such as that from streams, rivers, and waterfalls) creates negative ionization, a physiological stimulant to our human bodies. Incorporating moving water into the inside of our homes and building through fountains or sprays or other innovative features is another easy to implement but essential aspect of biophilic design.
Want more ideas for incorporating biophilic design? Check out our related article, full of strategies to help you bring nature into your home!
