Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Biophilic Design
Europe, Middle East & Africa
www.interface.com
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Introduction 3
Natural Analogues
11. Prospect 50
12. Refuge 54
13. Mystery 58
14. Risk / Peril 62
3 1
At Interface, we’ve been fascinated by nature for a long
time. Since our first commitment to sustainability, being
good to our surroundings has been our top priority.
2 3
Nature in the Space describes the direct,
physical and transient presence of nature in
a space or place.
4 5
Nature in the Space
1. Visual connection
with Nature
Pattern
Experience
• Feels whole
• Grabs one’s attention
• Stimulating or calming
• Conveys a sense of time, weather and other living things
6 7
Nature in the Space
1. Visual connection
with Nature
Practical Examples
8 9
Nature in the Space
2. Non-Visual Connection
with Nature
Pattern
Experience
10 11
Nature in the Space
2. Non-Visual Connection
with Nature
Practical Examples
Interface, Composure
12 13
Nature in the Space
3. Non-Rhythmic
Sensory Stimuli
Pattern
Experience
14 15
Nature in the Space
3. Non-Rhythmic
Sensory Stimuli
Practical Examples
• Indoor: kinetic facades (facades with moving elements that can be seen
from corner of the eye), interactive design displays
• Outdoor: swaying grasses, falling water and the buzz of passing insects
16 17
Nature in the Space
4. Thermal /
Airflow Variability
Pattern
Experience
18 19
Nature in the Space
4. Thermal /
Airflow Variability
Practical Examples
20 21
Nature in the Space
5. Presence
of Water
Pattern
Experience
22 23
Nature in the Space
5. Presence
of Water
Practical Examples
24 25
Nature in the Space
6. Dynamic and
Diffused Light
Pattern
Experience
26 27
Nature in the Space
6. Dynamic and
Diffused Light
Practical Examples
Genzyme
Interface, Monochrome Image © Anton Grassl / Esto
28 29
Nature in the Space
7. Connection to
Natural Systems
Pattern
Experience
30 31
Nature in the Space
7. Connection to
Natural Systems
Practical Examples
32 33
Natural Analogues are organic, non-living and
indirect evocations of nature.
34 35
Natural Analogues
8. Biomorphic Forms
and Patterns
Pattern
Experience
36 37
Natural Analogues
8. Biomorphic Forms
and Patterns
Practical Examples
• Organic shapes
• Natural colours
• Spirals
• Fractals
• Curves
• And, other geometrical forms
38 39
Natural Analogues
9. Material Connection
to Nature
Pattern
Experience
40 41
Natural Analogues
9. Material Connection
to Nature
Practical Examples
• Materials that reflect the native ecology, such as specific types of wood,
clay, leather, stones, wool and other fabrics.
42 43
Natural Analogues
10. Complexity
and Order
Pattern
Experience
44 45
Natural Analogues
10. Complexity
and Order
Practical Examples
46 47
The strongest experiences are achieved
through the creation of obscured views and
revelatory moments; co-mingled with patterns
of Nature in the Space and Natural Analogues.
48 49
Nature of the Space
11. Prospect
Pattern
Experience
50 51
Nature of the Space
11. Prospect
Practical Examples
Buhl Data Service GmbH. Image © BOS Buro- und Objekteinrichtungen GmbH Th. Geyer GmbH & Co. KG © Snezana Tasic Fotografie, Stuttgart
Interface, Human Nature Interface, Urban Retreat
52 53
Nature of the Space
12. Refuge
Pattern
Experience
54 55
Nature of the Space
12. Refuge
Practical Examples
56 57
Nature of the Space
13. Mystery
Pattern
Experience
58 59
Nature of the Space
13. Mystery
Practical Examples
• Labyrinths
• Winding paths
• Peek-a-boo windows
• Auditory stimulation from an imperceptible source
• Hidden views from the focal object
60 61
Nature of the Space
14. Risk/
Peril
Pattern
Experience
62 63
Nature of the Space
14. Risk/
Peril
Practical Examples
• Heights
• Gravity
• Water
• Double-height atrium with balcony or catwalk
• Transparent railing or floor pane
• Passing under, over or through water
• Life-sized photography of spiders or snakes
64 65
14 Patterns of
Biophilic Design
Europe, Middle East & Africa
www.interface.com
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