As the world evolves and progresses, more individuals and businesses are looking to live an eco-friendly lifestyle for the planet’s health and their own. Enter Biophilic Design- a way to honor nature while increasing one’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
The advantages of Biophilic Design extend well beyond aesthetics. At its core, Biophilic Design seeks to reconnect us with nature by incorporating elements such as natural light, greenery, natural materials, and views of nature into interior spaces. Essentially, it’s about bringing the outdoors indoors to create environments that enhance our connection to the natural world and increase our well-being.
What is the hype behind Biophilic Design? The benefits!
1. Improved Moods, Emotions, & Overall Wellbeing
Incorporating a natural components into your home will lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin, resulting in reduced anxiety and increased calmness and mental clarity. People tend to be able to relax more after a long day of school or work and enjoy much needed alone time or family time more than they would without biophilic elements in their home.
2. Motivational Boost
Natural light has been shown to promote productivity and Vitamin D absorption. At the structural level, incorporating a good amount of windows will provide the natural light needed to reep this benefit. If you don’t have access to a lot of natural light, you can create a false sense of natural lighting by using 5000K light bulbs in your living spaces. Additionally, homes with more plants, real or faux, enhance productivity, implying that our connection to nature encourages us.
3. Fight Indoor Pollutants
Did you know that plants lower levels of some indoor pollutants? Through the process of photosynthesis, plants help purify the air by removing toxins and releasing oxygen, creating a healthier atmosphere in your home. Additionally, that healthier atmosphere speeds up recovery from illness and surgery, promoting a sense of life longevity.
Biophilic Design in Action
If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Biophilic Design in person, you’re about to [virtually]! Here are some businesses that have utilized and embraced this design.
The Amazon Spheres, Seattle, USA
These iconic spherical structures are filled with thousands of plant species, creating a lush, biodiverse indoor environment. The domes are encased with windows to entrap the interior with natural light. The furniture and structural aspects important to the integrity of the building are purposefully curved and arched, so that even if the materials themselves aren’t of a natural material, the shapes give a nod to the environment.
The Bosco Verticale, Milan, IT
This pair of residential towers features balconies overflowing with trees and shrubs, providing residents with access to greenery and stunning views of the city. Inside, the units have large windows and doors to let in sunlight and showcase wood detail and architecture on the walls and floors. The units are finished off with curved furnishings, hidden details of nature.
Club Med Seychelles Resort, Sainte Anne, SEYC
It is a luxury eco-friendly resort inspired by nature and local cultures that respects the environment and blends into the natural surroundings. The architecture opens to the outdoors, letting light and air in. The interior design developed by GG & Grace explores colors, patterns, materials, and textures that reflect the jungle, seaside, or mountains.
Shui On WorkX, Shanghai, CN
This building is a creative and innovative working/social environment that strengthens business development and culture, all while creating and celebrating a sense of nature. It was designed by M Moser & Associates as a soothing natural ecosystem with an array of Biophilic Design Principals including a digital waterfall, natural lighting, a hanging green garden, natural colors, and organic shaped furniture.
Biophilic Design at Home
You might be wondering, “those are great examples, but they are all businesses. How do I incorporate Biophilic Design into my home?” That’s an excellent question, and the answer doesn’t have to be daunting! Here are some simple yet effective ways to bring nature inside your home.
1. Maximize Natural Light
Ensure your home receives ample natural light by removing heavy drapes, using sheer curtains, and strategically placing mirrors to reflect light. Go further by removing anything on window sills that might be obstructing the light.
2. Introduce Indoor Plants
Incorporate a variety of houseplants throughout your home, ranging from small succulents to larger statement plants, to add color, texture, and life to your spaces. Go big and bold by adding a living wall garden to your home.
3. Use Natural Materials
Opt for furniture, flooring, and decor made from natural materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, cork, rattan, and jute to create a sense of warmth and authenticity. It can even be implemented through the countertops, cabinets, wall finishes, you name it.
4. Create Views of Nature
Arrange furniture to take advantage of views of outdoor greenery, whether it’s a garden, park, or courtyard, to visually connect your indoor spaces with the natural world. If your access is limited to nature’s views, hang artwork such as paintings, photographs, and even sculptural art made of natural materials. Even ust seeing it in a photograph or painting can achieve the psychological benefits the real thing provides.
5. Apply Shapes of Nature
Nature is all about curves, soft edges, patterns, and small imperfections, contrasting straight lines and right angles that we normally use in interiors. Curved furniture, accessories, arch-shaped doors and windows, and organically shaped art look and feel cozy and relaxing.
6. Embrace Water Features
Consider incorporating water features such as fountains, ponds, or even a simple tabletop fountain to add soothing and peaceful sounds to your home. The sounds of nature are just as important as the visuals.
7. Breathe in Fresh Air
Open those windows widely and let the fresh air and sounds of nature find their way into your home and your mind. Listen carefully to the sounds of birds, rain, or wind. Breathing in fresh air improves your immune system function and your mood. Add in the sounds of nature and you’re in for a meditative experience right from your couch.
8. Infuse the Colors of Nature
Nature is plentiful with colors, each season bringing in a different theme. Green is one of the most relaxing colors that restores energy and helps clear your mind. A natural color palette isn’t just confined to earthy tones and rich greens. Other colors to consider are light blues, lemon yellow, shades of brown, pinks and oranges, creams, and many more. Paint your entire home, just a room, or simply an accent wall; it will have a significant effect on your overall mood. Using wallpaper or hanging artwork in these colors is another viable option to cover your walls with nature’s palette.
Biophilic design offers a holistic approach to interior design that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of spaces but also promotes well-being, productivity, and connection to nature. By incorporating elements such as natural light, greenery, natural materials, and views of nature into our homes and businesses, we can create environments that nurture both body and soul. So what’s stopping you from bringing a little bit of the outdoors indoors and reaping the benefits of biophilic design in your own space?