Biophilic Design: Creating Healthier, More Harmonious Structures.

Nature has a remarkable ability to create and sustain habitats. As humans, we’ve tried to mimic her ways through the shelters and structures we create. Biophilia, or biophilic is the humankind’s innate biological connection with nature. Biophilic design is when we integrate natures essence into our structures to experience a healthier and more harmonious connection. Many indigenous cultures achieved harmonious connection through naturalistic building and design. In present, this is not the case. We box ourselves into the mentality that our glorified storage cubes are an easier and more cost-effective solution. I encourage you to take a look around, notice the shapes and lines, the colors and decoration, the concrete. Witness the stressful sterility of hospital and ask, how a place built for healing and recovery can feel like this?

There are many reasons for our lack of creative connection when it comes to designing and building structures. But there’s no need to dwell on our ignorant past. I offer an introduction biophilic design that allows us to live more in harmony with nature every day.

What is Biophilic Design?

The word Biophilic originates from the Greek words, ‘Bio-’ meaning life and ‘philia’ meaning ‘love of’, therefore literally meaning a love of life or living things. Later the word was used to describe the innate connection between humans and other life. Indeed, humans have a deeply ingrained love of nature, an intuitive and natural drive imprinted into our DNA. The feeling of earth under your feet, the scent of clean fresh air, the calming sound of a flourishing ecosystem. It is all of nature’s sensory connections to humankind.

Biophilic Design is a construction concept that concentrates on aspects of nature contributing to human health and productivity over time. The concept emphasizes humans’ ability to adapt the natural world for advancements in health, wellbeing, and fitness as a species. This design considers natural light, natural ventilation, natural materials, vegetation, views, and environmental shapes and forms to name a few. Ultimately, Biophilic design is a strategy seeking to harness the power of nature so humans can better connect with structures. 

Health Benefits for Humans

Why is Biophilic Design Important?

Humans can be incredibly ignorant as a species. All over the world people are placed in sensory deprived and artificial environments. For example, office buildings, hospitals, schools, prisons, and shopping centers with little if any contact with natural forces and stimuli. Humans are aware that the presence of nature benefits our health. Which is why office plants are placed in certain areas, the illusion of nature reduce stress and optimize performance. But, simply placing an object of nature into a human built environment does minimal for occupants’ health and performance.

“A study in 2019 performed by Aarhus University, Denmark, children that are exposed to more nature have 55% fewer mental health problems later in life than those who aren’t. Furthermore, in an office context, incorporating nature can improve well-being by 13% and productivity 8%.”

– Weeland et al., 2019

In order to experience the benefits of biophilic design, it requires “…engaging contact with nature rather than occasional, exceptional, ephemeral experiences”. For this connection to be useful it requires a nurtured approach involving repeated and reinforced experience. A habitat (office) composed of disconnected and unrelated elements will provide minimal benefits to its occupants and may even cause harm to individual members. “By contrast, when the habitat functions in the best interests of the organism, the ecosystem performs at a level greater than the sum of its individual parts”. In other words, the way to make an office a healthy habitat is through adaptation, changing the habitat to function in the best interest of a human. To achieve this, we can incorporate Biophilic design methods and features into our architecture by including the kinds of connections and sensory experiences that occur within nature. 

The Six Features of Biophilic Design

1. Environmental features: The biophilic design element of environmental features integrates natural characteristics like plants, animals, and sunlight into built environments to foster a sense of connection to nature. Buildings that harmonize with their natural surroundings, such as incorporating ivy-covered walls, are generally well appreciated and promote well-being.

2. Natural shapes and forms: The element of natural shapes and forms in design involves incorporating patterns and motifs from nature, such as vegetation, animal structures, and geological features, into buildings. Spaces that imitate organic, flowing forms rather than rigid angles are often favored, especially when they resemble local geology or living shapes.

3. Natural patterns and processes: This design element emphasizes incorporating natural sensory properties, such as light, sound, and material changes over time, to enrich built environments. It also involves creating spaces with clear boundaries, patterns, and contrasts while fostering a sense of wholeness from distinct parts.

4. Light and space: Light and space are essential elements of biophilic design, with natural and filtered daylight, reflected light, and light-shade interplay all providing benefits. Space can enhance a sense of openness, harmony, and connection between indoor and outdoor environments while shaping surrounding areas.

5. Place-based relationships: The element of place-based relationships links culture with ecology, reflecting our instinct to connect with places for resources and safety. This connection is tied to geographical, historical, and cultural features, fostering a protective sense of stewardship over places we feel emotionally attached to.

6. Evolved human-nature relationships: This element emphasizes fundamental aspects of our relationship with nature, such as safety, balance, curiosity, and mastery, and how they can be reflected in the built environment. Biophilic design can harness our natural attraction to and attachment to nature to enhance these connections.

Examples Of Biophilic Design’s Positive Impact Urban Life

Singapore, Asia

Singapore has embraced the idea of biophilic design in a spectacular way. Given that this small country is one of Asia’s largest trading hubs with a population of 5.5 million people, there is a lot of pollution produced from various forms of trade transport moving through this central point of Asia.

“When Singapore gained independence in 1965, the vision was to create a true garden city”. 

_{^{– Christopher DeWolf, 2016}} 

This meant that architects would incorporate nature in their design, bringing nature into the designs of their structures, replacing columns, walls and neon with trees, leaves and natural light. Therefore, turning its cities into engines of environmental wellbeing with benefits not just for nature but the human beings that live there too. 

Jewel Changi Airport – Changi, Singapore

This entertainment and retail complex forms part of Singapore Changi airport. A place that examples how a more typically busy and stressful environment can be transformed into a giant indoor garden of spectacle and wellbeing. Jewel is a biodiverse expression of their mission to become a ‘city in a garden’, exhibiting the world’s largest indoor waterfall (the 40-meter Rain Vortex) and the home to approximately 100,000 plants.

Key benefits of this Biophilic Design:

• Stress Reduction
  • The biophilic design of Jewel Changi, featuring the Rain Vortex and lush greenery, creates a calming environment that helps travelers relax and reduce stress.
• Biodiverse Spectacle
  • The indoor gardens, with over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, offer a visually stunning, biodiverse environment that enhances air quality and ecological balance.
• Connecting Nature and People
  • Jewel Changi strengthens the connection between people and nature, providing spaces that promote well-being and relaxation.

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital – Yishun, Singapore

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore is another excellent example of biophilic design with the healing power of nature at its core. Typically, hospitals are some of the most plain, sterile, lifeless, and stressful places in society today. If we change the way we design hospitals we can significantly reduce stress and enhance healing therefore aligning more with the true purpose of healthcare. Leading the charge is Khoo Teck Puat Hospital with its biophilic design includes green roofs, vertical gardens, and water features, all of which contribute to a rejuvenating and restorative environment for patients, visitors, and staff. 

Key benefits of Biophilic Design in Healthcare

• Healing Environment
  • Studies have shown that exposure to nature can speed up recovery times and reduce the need for pain medication.
• Natural Ventilation
  • The design of KTPH channels wind through the building, enhancing natural ventilation and reducing reliance on air conditioning.
• Sustainable Design
  • The hospital’s use of natural elements reduces energy consumption and creates a more sustainable healthcare facility.

England, UK

All throughout the United Kingdom Biophilic design has been implemented in effective ways, especially around England’s capital London. An estimated 9 million people live in London alone making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Slowly other industrial cities within the UK are coming to realize the need for greener spaces as a way to improve overall health and wellbeing of their inhabitants. In fact, Birmingham has been a biophilic cities member since 2013, making drastic changes to their infrastructure and urban planning for a healthier biophilic future.

“Much of this new philosophy can be seen in our City of Nature 25-year Plan, launched in February 2022” 

^{– Simon Needle, Strategic lead – Urban Forestry & Nature, Birmingham City Council.}

Barbican Centre – London, UK

The Barbican Centre is one of the largest performing arts centers in Europe and is one of the earliest examples of biophilic architecture. This cultural hub showcases austere architecture that is softened by plentiful greenery, including a large conservatory housing over 1,500 species of plants. This brutalist style of architecture contrasts concrete and nature creating an artistic and inviting space for its millions of visitors from all around the world. 

Barbican Centre’s Biophilic Elements

• Abundant Indoor Planting
  • The Barbican Centre incorporates extensive greenery within its public spaces, fostering a calming atmosphere and enhancing indoor air quality. This connection with nature promotes relaxation and mental well-being for visitors.

• Natural Light and View
  • Large windows and open spaces allow ample natural light to filter in, creating a sense of openness while offering views of the surrounding greenery. This improves mood and provides a visual connection to nature.

• Water Features and Reflective Surfaces
  • The center includes ponds and fountains that not only add aesthetic appeal but also create a soothing, sensory experience through the sound and sight of water, evoking a natural environment within the urban setting.

The Eden Project – Cornwall, England

Another excellent example of modern biophilic architecture is the geodesic domes in Cornwall. The Eden Project makes a spectacle of these giant biomes that are home to mini ecosystems rich with biodiversity which mimic the likes of nature’s tropical rainforests and various other climates. Through its futuristic Biophilic Design these domes promote environmental education, harmonization with nature, biodiversity and ecological awareness.

Key Features of The Eden Project

• Geodesic Biomes
  • The Eden Project houses large, enclosed biomes that simulate tropical and Mediterranean climates, creating diverse ecosystems.
• Sustainability Focus
  • It emphasizes environmental sustainability with renewable energy use, water recycling, and conservation education.
• Biodiversity
  • The project supports a wide variety of plant species from around the world, fostering biodiversity and ecological learning.
• Interactive Exhibits
  • Visitors engage with hands-on exhibits that highlight the relationship between humans and nature, promoting environmental awareness.

United States of America, USA

The USA has a population of over 333 million people and is the third largest of country in the world based on landmass. America is also the wealthiest country but is far from the healthiest. Big corporations realize this and do what they can to improve the health of their hardworking employees that make them wealthy. Companies such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have been doing this by provide unique and clever spaces that encourage positive health outcomes using Biophilic Design. Indeed, often the wealthiest people and companies can afford to design complex structures this way. But this won’t always be the case, people will wake up to the health benefits of biophilic design and transforming their structures at a smaller and therefore cheaper level.

“On average, we spend about 90 percent of our time inside buildings and cars. When we venture outside, we’re often so glued to our smartphones that we’re oblivious to the natural world.”

^{–Bryn Nelson – NBC news}

The Amazon Spheres

The famous Amazon Spheres are spherical conservatories that make up part of corporate giant Amazon’s headquarters. With a mixture of Victorian-era conservatories and the steampunk aesthetic weaved into its design, it manages to instill a strong nature connection for Amazon’s staff. It’s home to over 40,000 species of plants and has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its sustainability credentials.

The biophilic qualities of the amazon spheres

Apple Park

The headquarters of Apple inc. is a strong example of biophilic architecture. The sustainably powered campus is designed as a perfect circle, with a massive interior courtyard filled with native trees and plants. The building’s design emphasizes the power of natural light, with large glass panels allowing sunlight to permeate the space. Surrounding the campus are over 9,000 trees, including orchards and meadows, creating a seamless integration with nature.

Apple Parks biophilic highlights

References

Browning, B. (2024) A Review of The Science of Biophilia, Biophilic Design and Human Health Impacts | Bill Browning (livingarchitecturemonitor.com)

Nelson, B. (2018) Americans have a nature problem. Is ‘biophilic design’ the solution? (nbcnews.com)

The six elements of biophilic design – Thermory

Wilson, E. O. (1984) Biophilia Wilson, Edward O., Biophilia, The human bond with other species, Cambridge, Harvard University Press.

Weeland, J., Moens, M. A., Beute, F., Assink, M., Staaks, J. P., & Overbeek, G. (2019). A dose of nature: Two three-level meta-analyses of the beneficial effects of exposure to nature on children’s self-regulation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 65, 101326.