Biophilic Design : What is it & Why Does it Matter ?
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How Biophilic Design Can Create Better Cities
Read along to find out what Biophilic design, its principles, as well as how one can materialize these concepts into spatial experiences and spaces.
Published October 8, 2020
How Biophilic Design Can Create Better Cities
A brief introduction to Biophilic design and its principles.
Biophilic Design Principles
Read along to find out what Biophilic design, its principles, as well as how one can materialize these concepts into spatial experiences and spaces.
Biophilic design is based on the following 6 design principles :
1. Visual Connection with Nature
Providing visual connection to the outdoors helps users stay connected to nature as well as feel more grounded and positive
2. Non-visual Connection with Nature
Providing users with non-visual connection with nature such as auditory and haptic. This way, the experience of the users within the space is engaging and multisensory.
3. Nonrhythmic Sensory Stimuli
Nature is a dynamic and an ever-changing force. Similarly, our spaces should mimic that element with nonrhythmic sensory stimuli. This is done through constant air circulation, adaptive spaces, spaces that respond to the sun path, spaces that respond to wind and humidity. This way, our spaces become alive and interactive with the outside world and exterior factors resulting in dynamic spaces.
4. Thermal & Airflow Variability
Similar to the temperature and airflow within nature, our spaces should vary in air temperature, humidity levels to mimic nature.
5. Presence of Water
Providing water features to see, watch, hear, or touch. The presence of water has proven reduced levels of stress for the users.
6. Dynamic and Diffuse Light
Light in nature is not constant, and is dynamic, therefore, light within our interiors should also mimic natural light and offer different light levels for different times of the day and tasks.
7. Connection with Natural Systems
It is important to keep ourselves in touch and aware of the natural processes that occur throughout the day and year. For example, the change of color of leaves throughout the seasons.
It is important to keep ourselves in touch and aware of the natural processes that occur throughout the day and year.
8. Biomorphic Forms and Patterns
The addition of patterns and textures that are referenced from nature. Example : Ratios that exist in nature.
9. Material Connection with Nature
Designing spaces with materials and elements from nature that symbolically represent nature and a sense of place with minimal processing.
10. Complexity and Order
Nature comprises of varying hierarchy in complexity and order. Having a hierarchy of sensory information through the degree of complexity. This way, users will be able to focus and navigate easily through the spaces.
11. Prospect
It is essential to have a space with uninterrupted view. This way, it will give users a way to surveille and observe their surroundings.
12. Refuge
We are in general social creatures, however, we having different needs and requirements within the spaces we use. This is why it is important to have places of refuge, for people to relax and wind down from the main flow of people and activity.
13. Mystery
Adding some unknown elements and surprise elements to the architecture will keep users excited and curious to discover the spaces.
14. Risk / Peril
We are all kids at heart, having a “risk” factor will add an edge to the spaces created (without comprising on the safety of the individuals).
This was a brief introduction to biophilic design and its principles. I shall dive in deeper in the coming posts to discover and outline, and sketch what these principles dictate.
Biophilic design is a way for us to re-connect with nature while keeping up with the urban challenges we are facing (increased population, dense cities, sprawling). It gives hope that we can, perhaps, one day turn our cities into urban jungles with oasis of retreat when needed. A city that holds a comfortable place for all, just like the forest that embraces different kinds of organisms with different needs and survival instincts.
Until next time tracers, stay healthy , stay strong!
References :
Book : Handbook of Biophilic City Planning and Design.
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