BIOPHILIC DESIGN

“Biophilic Design” is a concept in which we improve and enhance our interaction with nature in a built environment. Every interaction we have with nature – let it be going to the beach to swim in the waters or a hike on a lush green mountain, it makes us feel relaxed and content. All thishappens because of our close relation with nature ever since we were created. Over the past 200 to 300 years, we have been distancing ourselves from nature in many ways. First it was the television and then came the video games & the internet which shifted the entertainment sector completely indoors, away from nature and natural habitat. Since our natural habitat has becomethe built environment, the main and most important role of biophilic design is to create a good natural habitat for us humans in forms of a building, a garden or even a community. Just because a space has nature or a plant does not make it biophilic. It has to help our health and productivity in a space while keeping us fit and strong. So for example a desert or a deep sea habit at does not count as biophilic as it doest have a sustainable effect on us. In a built environment aspects like greenery, water, light and air help improve our mental, physical and emotional health along with increasing productivity and mood.

Greenery: Plants are living and breathing organisms which help increase creativity, and performance in spaces like an office.

Natural Light: Not only cost efficient, it also is found in abundance while also being renewable. It makes you feel alive and helps cure various ailments.

Water Elements: Let it be the soothing sound of the water flowing or even looking at sparkling blue waterfalls, it makes us feel relaxed and calm. An indoor water element goes a long way while designing. Other than such direct interactions with nature, even indirect interactions make a difference. Images of Nature, Natural Materials, Natural Colors, Mobility and Wayfinding, Cultural and Ecological Attachment to place, Simulating Natural Light and Air, Naturalistic Shapes and Forms, Evoking Nature, Natural Geometries, Biomimicry go a long way as a replacement. Designers can play a huge role in considering biophilic design in every shape that we design tonot only increase aesthetics and looks but also helps improve various health aspects in a space toenhance a occupants living experience.

References :

https://www.bdcnetwork.com/blog/biophilic-design-what-it-why-it-matters-and-how-do-we-use-it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophilic_design#:-:text=Biophili0/020design%20is%20a%20concept,and°/020space/020and°/020place/020conditions.