WHAT IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURE THAT OFFERS WELL-BEING

 

Have you ever wondered why you always choose the window seat? And why do you prefer natural lighting? Biophilic design meets exactly these needs.

Huge windows that provide an unobstructed view of the outside world, Daylight LED lamps for as much natural lighting as possible, flowers and creepers in the decoration... We love it all, don't we? They make us feel closer to nature, they cheer us up. This is the purpose of biophilic design, the emerging architectural trend that seeks to integrate nature into the built environment, with far-reaching benefits.

Biophilic design is taking shape in most modern buildings and is looking for ways to incorporate it into renovations of older ones. You will have noticed restaurants and cafes that decorate their walls and ceilings with giant baubles (often synthetic), while for the furniture the most natural materials are chosen, and for the wallpapers as earthy or floral colors as possible.





This integration of aspects of nature into man-made elements aspires to bring humans closer to the natural environment, promoting a sense of peace and improving well-being . The principles of biophilic design focus on creating spaces – professional and even personal – that mimic patterns and elements of nature, even if they are located in the smoky center of a city.



The benefits of biophilic design in wellness

In order to prove that biophilic design is not just a welcome aesthetic point of view, but can also affect the health and productivity of the people who enjoy it, recent research by design laboratories PLP Labs in collaboration with Loughborough and Reading Universities has come to some interesting conclusions .

The study was carried out at PLP Architecture's London offices designed with this philosophy – plenty of greenery inside and endless views outside – and assessed the impact of biophilic design. It concluded as follows:
A 200% increase in the sense of well-being and the environmental value of the spaces where employees moved was observed .
Significant differences and disparities were observed between spaces with ample views and greenery and spaces without. People working in the latter showed less efficiency.
The investment value of offices with a view and green skyrocketed.

A prime example of such a business space is AstraZeneca's new offices in Finland, which were designed by natural interior technologies company Naava. In these new offices, in addition to the large windows that allow natural light to diffuse freely in the spaces and the earthy choices in the furniture and fabrics, the impressions are stolen by the "living walls", with real plants that clean the atmosphere , removing harmful chemicals and creating an air quality comparable to that of a Nordic forest. This feeling is enhanced by the very distinctive sounds of the forest that are constantly heard from the company's speakers.

“As humans we are not biologically programmed to spend our lives in an enclosed space. [...] The need for closeness to nature is rooted in us. It's no coincidence that when we spend so much time confined to our sterile offices, our well-being suffers," says project leader Eeva Niemelä. “We get tired, our productivity goes down, stress levels go up. By reconnecting people with nature in the places where they live and work, this phenomenon is reduced. It's comforting, it improves mood, it enhances the creative thinking that we need to be successful in our daily tasks."
How will you incorporate biophilic design into your space?

According to sustainability consultancy Terrapin Bright Green, there are 14 patterns we can follow to incorporate biophilic design into our spaces, which have been shown to reduce stress while improving cognitive performance and good mood. They are the following:Visual contact with elements of nature: It has been found to lower blood pressure, heart rate, improve mental stimulation and concentration, and positively affect mood and feelings of joy.
Non-visual connection with nature (e.g. through natural sounds or scents): This lowers systolic blood pressure and stress hormones, positively affects cognitive performance and enhances feelings of calm.
Non-rhythmic sensory stimulation (eg through materials or imagery): Positively affects heart rate, systolic blood pressure and sympathetic nervous system activity.
Natural air quality: It positively affects the feeling of comfort, well-being and productivity, improves concentration and the perception of temporal and spatial pleasure (you feel that where you are at the given moment is good).
Presence of water: Reduces stress and blood pressure, increases the feeling of peace, improves concentration and memory, creates a more positive mood.
Dynamic and diffused light: Positively affects the functioning of the circadian system.
Contact with the elements of nature: It can be e.g. a system that collects rain and channels it to certain points (as rain chains do), having direct or visual contact with the geology of the ground, perceiving the change of seasons through etc.
Biomorphic Forms & Patterns (eg floral tapestries on furniture): Enhance spatial pleasure.
Connecting with nature through materials: Reduces diastolic pressure, improves creativity, improves feeling of comfort.
Complexity and order: Improves the ability to respond to stress.
Perspective: Spaces with a view reduce stress, boredom, irritability, while improving comfort and a sense of security.
Sanctuary: A warm, welcoming space improves concentration, attention and a sense of security.
Mystery: The sense of mystery in a space can be achieved with partially dark spots or e.g. with a sound device that refers to the bottom of the sea. This has been found to induce a strong feeling of pleasure.
Risk: You didn't expect that, did you? And yet, risk is part of nature. A recognizable threat (eg, a very tall building) combined with a reliable protection (eg, powerful energy glasses) has been found to enhance dopamine release and pleasure.