What Is Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is an intentional design approach that incorporates nature into a building. The word biophilic relates to humans’ tendency towards the natural environment.
Benefits of Biophilic Design
Throughout history, humans have always had a close relationship with and love for nature. We long to find shade under trees or hear the ocean’s waves. People have an innate affinity for nature.
With biophilic design, it seeks to make a more intentional connection with natural elements.
This started to get more attention in dense urban areas. The built environment forced many people into a situation where they worked all day indoors with little to no connection with nature. Their homes were similar, and they had little interaction with natural elements.
Studies conducted suggest that this lack of interaction with the natural environment negatively impacts the physical and mental health of people.
Hence, designers started to create more deliberate connections with nature. They made stronger relationships with the outdoors, or they incorporated more natural elements, like plants, trees or water, on the inside of buildings.
This technique is being used more in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. It is thought to promote a speedy recovery in patients.
Approaches of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design can usually be represented in two main ways.
The first is a direct relationship with nature. This is perhaps what we think of the most. It uses direct connections to nature, including natural light, ventilation, vegetation, water and other natural elements.
These could either connect with the natural outdoor environment or incorporate natural elements inside the building. Items such as indoor plants and water features could be utilised.
This is a more sustainable approach to design and produces more natural elements in and around our built environment.
The other type is by using an indirect approach. This uses techniques to simulate nature. You can use natural materials or images of nature.
Impact In The Tropics
If you live in the tropics, especially outside urban areas, you can see some sort of tree, plant or grass from your windows and doors. We do not usually have the same concerns as persons in urban or suburban neighbourhoods in temperate regions. They sometimes have to travel far to experience vegetation and wildlife.
However, I think our climate allows us to create stronger connections with our natural environment.
We can create large openings that open directly to the outside. This allows natural light and air to enter our spaces. It also connects us with the sights, sounds and scents of nature.
We can see the leaves blowing in the wind, hear the birds sing and smell the earth after it rains.
Having this immersive effect in nature will provide you with a multi-sensory experience with your natural environment.
In our region, the connection between interior and exterior can sometimes happen seamlessly. A lot of our day-to-day living could probably occur outdoors.
This is a great strategy for tropical home designs.
Strategies For Incorporating Biophilic Design
Photo: Leslie Chua | New Manila House | PXP Design Workshop
Vegetation
I have always lived near or next to trees. Both the house I grew up in and the house I am in now has large trees next to them.
They could be seen through the windows and were great to look at. However, due to privacy or because of the small window sizes, they didn’t have as significant an impact as I would have liked.
But for a short while, I use to live in an apartment where one side of it faced woods. That side of the apartment also had a lot of windows. Approximately 60% or more of that wall was windows. When I was there during the day, I would open the Venetian blinds slightly so as still to maintain some privacy from the occasional dog walker. However, sometimes I would pull the blinds all the way to the top.
That opened that entire area onto the trees in the woods.
It felt amazing.
Because they were so many windows facing the trees, I felt more immersed in the woods.
The apartment felt bigger and more open. Right away, it would put me in a better mood. I also felt more productive.
Having those large windows created a stronger connection with nature. They were far more effective than smaller, obscured windows.
In addition, you can also incorporate plants and trees within your home. Potted plants or living plant walls can be a great addition.
Natural Light
Natural light is perhaps the best source of light you can have in your home during the day. Being able to see the movement and intensity of the daylight is beneficial. Your mind and body respond better to the time of the day. This also impacts our mood and comfort level.
We are more in tune with the changes in the weather and other things taking place in our environment as well.
Having large openings will permit ample natural light. However, in tropical regions, avoid direct sunlight, as this could make your home too hot.
Air and Ventilation
Passive ventilation strategies in the tropics are ideal. Having cool natural breezes blow across our skin is always welcomed in our warm climate.
The constant supply of fresh air also makes us feel more alert and is great for our health.
Large openings that are well-positioned can provide you and your family with adequate ventilation flowing through the room.
Water
People love water. We love to hear the waves of the ocean or a waterfall. It is calming and relaxing. It is also thought to have many health benefits, including lowering our blood pressure.
Watching the movement of water also adds another impression to our senses that is enjoyable.
Photo: KIE | River Studio | Alexis Dornier
Natural Materials
You can incorporate natural materials into your home. Most people typically prefer textures and patterns in natural materials such as wood and stone.
Modern designs in the tropics use natural materials like stone and wood. This use of materials helps create warmth in tropical homes, which is often absent in contemporary homes in other regions.
In some situations, seeing how these materials age can also be pleasant to observe. It creates another layer of engagement with our environment.
Simulating Natural Elements
Biophilic design also recommends using artificial elements to simulate nature. Using fabrics and paintings with images of natural elements, like leaves, water or trees, is said also to be beneficial.
They will not have the same effect of incorporating nature itself but can have some positive impacts on the human psyche.
Conclusion
Though the term biophilic design may be new to many, the practices and ideas are as old as time.
Incorporating nature and more natural elements into and around the outdoor areas of our buildings is a great, sustainable approach to design.
It has several benefits, including its impact on our physical and mental well-being.
Try using direct strategies like adding stronger connections to vegetation around your home. You can also ensure you have ample daylight and ventilation entering your home. Also, incorporate vegetation and water elements inside the house. This could also be in the form of a courtyard.
Using natural materials like wood and stone is good. You can also add images of natural elements since this can have some benefits.
It is not uncommon for many tropical homes to be surrounded by lush vegetation and natural breezes. Our homes may have windows that offer views outside, but they may not be sized or positioned to encourage a truly immersive experience with nature.
I believe we can be more intentional with how we incorporate and engage with nature from within our homes.
Featured image by Jonathan Borba from Pexels