Biophilic design is so important and is derived from Biophilia, a term established in 1984 that is used to describe the relationship between humans and nature, and how humans and nature are innately interconnected which we all need to embrace in order to support our own mental health and for greater environmental protection.
As the modern world progressively continues to urbanize and populations increase the interest in bringing nature back into urban areas becomes more popular.
Biophilic design is defined as a method of design that will satisfy the deep rooted, fundamental human need to be connected to nature and can be achieved in a multitude of ways such as through designing closer to nature, adding greenery and windows, increasing potted plants, and adding some sort of access to natural light or fresh air just to name a few.
The benefits to our health are endless as biophilic designs is also often centered around the philosophy that exposure to nature has a positive impact on human life and can increase mental and physical well-being, productivity, creativity, and motivation, as well as decrease stress, anxiety, and depression.
According to the university of central Arkansas
‘Being in nature has therapeutic properties to help us reboot or make sense of our chaotic reality. Biophilic design is not a new concept in the design and architecture profession.’
Biophilic design promotes physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being in humans when implemented in the built environment and even pictures of nature, plants, mountains, and outdoor landscapes have a similar mental effect on well-being as being outdoors in real natural environments.'
Recent research findings have continuously shown that biophilic designs in the workplace are incredibly beneficial for the overall health and well-being of employees. In spaces that feature aspects of biophilic design, employee well-being, productivity, motivation, and creativity are all heightened.
‘Based on results from the Human Spaces Report, 33% of workers reported that the office that they will work in has a impact on their decision on whether they will work for a company (Cooper, et al., 2015).’
Large corporations such as Amazon, Microsoft, Airbnb, and Etsy have all made significant efforts to switch their corporate office structures and incorporate biophilic design as it not only benefits the employee but produces better outcomes for the organization overall apparently.
When biophilic design elements are applied, stress levels are reduced, patients heal faster, and creativity is enhanced and simple designing can assist such as proper placement of windows and natural ventilation systems improves circulation that creates a cooler indoor climate and can also reduce overall energy costs.
According to Ryan and Browning, a www.frontiersin.org article, a Biophilic design is a holistic practice utilizing nature-based systems, engineering principles, and design cues to support improved health, well-being and performance as measured through personal biometrics, self-rated mood, and work quality.
We encourage the use of biophilic design and in therapy. Whether we are conducting a session in nature, with the window open or with as much contact with nature as possible to enhance mental health and increase the benefits of a session in general we embrace the benefits of biophilic design at home and in the workpla
ce.
Comments