Concept of Biophilic design:

Biophilic design joins in the elements of the ecology into the synthetically built environment,
such as natural materials, light, plants, scenes of the outdoors, and other experiences. Biophilic
design is a term used in the construction industry to describe how to use direct, indirect, and
other prominent elements as variables to promote human connectedness to nature.

 Biophilic design is concerned with characteristics of the nature that have supported human
productivity and health in the never-ending battle to be healthy and persistent. Because they
provide very little, if any, continuous advantages to people, desert or sea habitats, microbes,
extinct animals, and other unseen facets of nature are therefore completely irrelevant as
components of biophilic design.

Skylights, which let in natural light, green walls or living walls covered with living plants,
as well as water bodies, such as ponds and fountains, are some biophilic examples.

Origin:

E.O. Wilson first mentioned the idea in his book Biophilia from 1984. Wilson, a prominent
biologist and Emeritus University Research Professor at Harvard, described a basic human
tendency to get attracted to nature and imitate its patterns and structures in daily life.

Elements of Biophilic design:

Stephen Kellert, who was an ecologist, introduced the six principles/elements of biophilic
designs. Insight on these key elements are as below;

I. Environmental features

Humans, if accept or not, tend to feel attracted towards nature and prefer to remain surrounded
by natural environment. This aspect develops the environmental feature which integrate the
components of nature such as animal life, plants, airy atmosphere, and ventilation into the
synthetic environment. The sense of connectedness to nature can be evoked by incorporating
hued shades, water, and daylight. Also, well-ventilated places can improve physical,
psychological, and mental well-being.
 II. Natural forms and shapes

Adopting natural shapes is a key element to promote green and sustainable environment. If we
talk about this element briefly, we can say that the representations and replication of the
ecosystem on structures, both inside or outside, are included in the classification of “natural
shapes and forms”. For example, the themes of animals and the erections they make, including
colonies, networks, shapes, and patterns seen in flora, such as bushes, greeneries, and foliage.

Moreover, biophilic designs that impressionist regional geology are preferred over those that
switch to the sharp sides and right viewpoints typical of modern architecture.

III. Natural process and patterns

Unlike the above elements, this component focuses on the ways in which incorporating
characteristics of nature improves our built environment, such as variability and abundance of
detail in items we interpret with our senses, like light or sound, changes in the attributes of
resources over the passage of time, hallways with distinct limits, and a insight of pattern.

IV. Space and light

One of the most crucial elements of biophilic design is the use of space and light, and to deal
with them professionally, there are numerous ways to incorporate. If we talk about reflected
light, the interaction of light and shade, as well as the manipulation of light which produce
shapes or visual elements are all valuable. Either filtered or natural daylight can be
advantageous. In the meantime, space can be used to characterize surrounding shapes and
locations, as well as to generate a feeling of openness, diversity, harmony, and a connection
between indoor and outdoor surroundings.
V. Place-based relationships
Connecting culture with the ecosystem develops place-based relationships. People unconsciously
make a strong connection with the place where they live as it ensures them safety and feeling of
warmth. This is the reason why people feel homesick when they are far away. This connection
can be acknowledged and invoked within the built environment if we have a greater awareness
of them.
VI. Advanced human-nature relationships
While all of the parts discussed above show how humans interact with their surroundings, this
element focuses on the core ideas of that interaction and how they might be mirrored in built
environments. This can involve encouraging a sense of security and safety, a balance of diversity
and regularity, curiosity and exploration, as well as a feeling of completion and environmental
mastery. Through the use of biophilic design, we may also tap into our kinship with and
attraction to nature.
Impacts of Biophilic design on mental and physical well-being:

If we talk about synthetically built atmosphere such as workplace, biophilic design fosters human
nature on all level: mental, physical, rational, and demonstrative. Pictures of trees, flowers,
mountains, and other natural scenery have same calming effects on the mind as being outside in
actual natural settings. Where biophilic design elements are used, stress levels of people
decreases, healing times for patients accelerates, and creativity is improved. Some of the
impacts, biophilic designed environment made on the well-being are as follows;

 Researches have revealed that natural light usage in biophilic designs leave positive
impacts on human’s physical and mental healthiness. Studies have shown that when sun
light practices are examined, students score better on examinations, learning is enhanced,
employees are more efficient at work, people think more clearly, and people engaged
when performing a variety of tasks wholeheartedly.
 Augmenting the splendor of nature with colors of biophilic designs help people feel more
connected to nature and improves their health well-being. This has a direct effect on a
person's physical and mental health. There is evidence that people experience better
mental health overall, a smaller amount of anxiety and stress, balanced heart rates and
blood pressure, and better focus. The biophilic designs' strategy to well-belling is
enforced by using fading colors of greens, blues, and purples as well as diverse
monochromatic that parodist nature.
 Most people visualize biophilic design as blending living architecture into interior and/or
outside spaces. Living architecture that is strategically positioned can assist save thermal
expenses by blocking direct sunlight, which can create shine and heat buildup. Utilizing
 specific floras and greenery can help lower the amount of VOCs produced into the air,
which can lead to stress or lung diseases, promoting well-being.
 It is humans’ nature that they are attracted to cool, light, and warm breezes because it let
people breathe more deeply and provide them newfound energy for the day. A calmer
indoor atmosphere is produced and overall energy expenses are decreased by
advantageously placing glass windows and organic ventilation systems.
References:

 https://uca.edu/art/2021/03/30/ways-biophilic-design-promotes-human-health-and-well-
being/#:~:text=Biophilic%20design%20promotes%20physical%2C
%20emotional,outdoors%20in%20real%20natural%20environments.
 https://thermory.com/blog-and-news/the-six-elements-of-biophilic-design/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophilic_design
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQApvayP3Z0