Biophilic Design: Integrating Nature into Home Design
When you spend time outdoors, taking in the earthy scents, sights, and textures, how does this exposure to nature make you feel?
Calm? Centered? Happy? Well, this is what biophilic design is all about.
Read on to discover what biophilia is, the elements of natural biophilic design, and how it can impact your physical, mental, and emotional health.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson helped to popularize the term “Biophilia” in his 1984 book of that name_._ The term is defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature and its many forms of life. The literal translation is “love of life,” as it emphasizes our desire for contact with nature and natural elements. These connections can have a positive impact on our well-being.
In architectural and interior design, builders and designers incorporate natural light, natural materials, and other natural elements that bring pieces of nature into our built environment.
This approach aims to create home spaces where people can live and work in harmony with nature. Studies have shown that this can enhance human health and reduce stress.
The Key Elements of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design refers to designing a built environment with the intention of fostering a stronger connection between people and nature. It integrates natural elements and patterns into architectural and interior design to create spaces that promote physical and mental well-being.
Here are some of the key elements of biophilic design that you can consider incorporating into your home or workplace:
Natural light: Maximize exposure to natural light with windows, skylights, and open spaces. This is one of the most important elements of biophilic design, as it can help improve our mood and productivity.
Natural materials: Use materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo in furniture and décor to bring elements of the natural world indoors. These natural textures enhance our sense of well-being.
Fresh air: Make sure your indoor spaces are well-ventilated and free of dust, mold, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals. You can do this with a good air purifier or by growing plants that clean the inside air.
Views of nature: Ensure that interior spaces have access to views of gardens, landscapes, or other natural scenery. This might mean removing heavy drapery. (Even pictures of natural spaces are better than nothing.)
Plants and greenery: Use a variety of plants throughout your home or office to improve the air quality and provide a more calming atmosphere. Even artificial plants have a positive effect.
Water features: Add fountains, aquariums, or other small water installations to introduce the soothing sounds, sights, and smells of water to your home.
Natural patterns and forms: Use patterns and shapes inspired by nature in architectural details, textiles, art, and décor.
The Impact of Biophilic Design on Human Health
Exposure to nature and natural elements has been shown to have many benefits for human health. Creating a home with biophilic design can:
Reduce stress: Natural elements like plants and water features can help lower our cortisol levels, easing stress.
Improve physical health: Being able to see natural elements reduces our blood pressure and heart rate. It is also linked to lower rates of heart disease and diabetes.
Enhance mood: Natural light and views of nature can boost serotonin levels, improving our overall mood and happiness. It can also reduce the symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.
Improve cognitive function: Environments that incorporate natural elements have been shown to help enhance our focus, creativity, and productivity.
Furniture and Home Décor
Furniture and décor that embrace the biophilic principles play an essential role in creating a peaceful and healthy living environment. A few examples of biophilic furniture include:
Wooden furniture: Pieces made of wood bring feelings of warmth and a sense of the outdoors into our interior spaces. Wood is a more sustainable choice if it is reclaimed or sustainably sourced. Bamboo is also a great option.
Natural fiber textiles: Rugs, cushions, linens, and throws made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and jute bring a subtle connection to nature.
Living walls and vertical gardens: Inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, these installations bring lush greenery into our homes and offices, improving the air quality and providing a drastic visual connection with nature.
Biophilic Architecture: Nature in the Built Environment
Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright was a pioneer of biophilic architecture, as he was well-known for designing buildings that harmonized with their natural surroundings. Much of his work focused on integrating natural elements and patterns into the built environment.
Biophilic architecture creates buildings that are healthier for humans because of their open, airy features inspired by nature’s own patterns and materials. This makes such buildings aesthetically pleasing while providing physical and mental health benefits to the people who live and work inside them.
Design Your Home
At Well-Designed Home, we embrace these principles to create interior spaces that align with your natural instincts and help improve your overall quality of life.
We would love to help you achieve more of a connection with nature in your own home. To find out more about the impacts of a well-designed home, you can download our guide. And if you are ready to experience all these possibilities in your home, book a complimentary discovery call today.