Biophilia
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3 |
Improves occupant productivity and well-being |
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1 |
One to three months for assessment and minor improvements; six months to a year for long-term improvements |
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2 |
Plants, water features, pictures, aquariums, courtyard gardens |
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FAC, GEN, SGT, BPO |
The concept of biophilia (Greek for ‘love of nature’) proposes that humans hold a biological need for connection with nature on physical, mental,
and social levels, and that this connection affects our personal well-being, productivity, and societal relationships. Whether one is engaging with nature by walking through a park, by interacting with animals, or simply by having a view of greenery from one’s home or place of work, biophilia has many applications that help transform mundane settings into stimulating environments.
Humans have continually improved the places in which they live and work to increase their comfort and productivity. These improvements have been
based upon technological advancements that increase the health and welfare of building occupants, but little attention has been paid to more subtle physiological needs. Recent advancement in our understanding of natural systems, coupled with growing research regarding the subtle neurological and physiological functions associated with contact with nature, have allowed us to identify strategies to increase economic gains, improve health and productivity, and strengthen the social fabric of our communities, while embracing the natural environment.
The term Nature-Deficit-Disorder20 suggests that the increase in occurrence of conditions such as obesity, attention disorders, and depression are partly due to a decrease in exposure to nature at a young age.
Although the cognitive benefits of biophilia are well-studied by the scientific community, the economic benefits of biophilic design remain an understudied design element of our built environment. Recent studies explored examples of how access to nature in buildings, at a low up-front cost, could produce very healthy returns.21
The following three key concepts serve as the tenets of biophilic design:
- Nature in the space: The incorporation of plants, water, and animals into the built environment. These direct connections to nature, and in particular, dynamic nature that incorporates movement, produce the strongest biophilic Measures can include potted plants, water features, aquariums, and courtyard gardens, as well as views of nature from the inside of a building. The prevalence of the courtyard in traditional architecture is a good example of our early attraction to incorporating nature directly into our built environment.
- Natural analogs: One degree of separation away from true nature, natural analogs are materials, finishes, and patterns that evoke nature and are characterized by four broad types: representational artwork, ornamentation, biomorphic forms, and the use of natural materials. The benefits of nature represented in artwork are measurable but less effective than benefits derived from actual trees or plants in the outdoors. Measures can include pictures or sculpture of trees, animals, and water; building elements that mimic shells and leaves; and furniture with organic rather than geometric shapes and visible wood grain.
- Nature of the space: The way humans respond psychologically and physiologically to different spatial 22 Our innate preference for open spaces does not extend to just any open space; physiological research indicates that our bodies react most positively to savanna-like settings with moderate to high depth and openness. Some of these preferred spatial conditions are called prospect, refuge, mystery, and risk. Measures can include spaces with elevated unimpeded views (prospect) and secluded protected spaces (refuge).