06 Biophilic Design
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ell, this particular style dates b a c k as far as 1984, when the concept was introduced by E.O. Wilson through his book Biophilia. And it has many benef its to our well-being, too, through simple additions of nature. So, with this in mind, it is undoubtedly here to stay. But what really is biophilic design? It’s simpler than you think – here, we explore the concept and how to incorporate it into your space.
Defining biophilic design Generally, this style of design highlights the human connection between nature and the environment. Meeting the requirements to class your design as biophilic includes the implementation of natural materials, like plants and wood. It’s as simple as focusing on the natural world to enhance your space – and this can count for your home, garden, or even your office. It’s predicted that 66% of the world’s population will live in an urban environment by 2050, and already people spend 93% of their time indoors, away f rom nature. By doing so, our full potential isn’t unlocked, as keeping in touch with nature impact our physical and mental well-being. So, there is a need to meet somewhere in the middle, which is feasible with biophilic design. developer-update.co.uk
WHAT IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN AND WHY IS IT TRENDING FOR 2022? Biophilic design is shaping up to be a major trend for 2022. Of course, trends come and go, so we can often be sceptical when it comes to implementing design trends inside our homes. Is it worth investing in? The benefits – besides the aesthetic Air quality is one of the many benef its of biophilic design. With your designated space consisting of plants, they will use carbon dioxide to produce oxygen, as well as when the leaves essentially ‘sweat’ out water, which combats the problem of dry air by making it more humid. And not only is this an advantage for your home, but as dry air is a widely reported issue in air-conditioned off ices, biophilic design helps tackle this issue. Creativity and productivity can be b o o s te d by a d d i n g houseplants to your space. Research in offices was carried out in the UK, Netherlands, and Australia by Craig Knight and fellow psychologists who discovered that work performance increased by approximately 15%
when the space featured one plant per square metre. This is ideal for workspaces, whether that’s for those who work f rom home or in an off ice. Research in off ices was carried out in the UK, Netherlands, and Australia discovered that work performance increased by approximately 15% when the space featured one plant per square metre. Stress is the cause of many mental health illnesses as well as cardiovascular diseases, but biophilic design can act as a stress-reliever. Research has reflected that interacting with plants, like touching or even smelling, can reduce physiological and psychological stress. And soil contains microbes, informally referred to as ‘outdoorphins’, which are natural antidepressants and aid the production of serotonin.
