Photo by Michael Christo.
There is growing interest in “green” or sustainable design, a concept derived from “biophilia” which is Greek for “the love of living things.” This idea and its application in architecture provides many questions: what exactly is biophilic design? What are the benefits? Perhaps most importantly, are there practical steps a designer can take to apply the principles of biophilic design in actual projects?
Photo by Marianne Cousineau.
Eloïse Sok, Concept Creator in the SageGlass Europe & Middle-East Team, says the concept of biophilia was first written in 1984 by biologist Edward O. Wilson, in which he described the concept as to how humans have an innate connection with nature and with other living systems.
This connection continues to thrive in assorted cultures, including Japanese culture where people have been been aware of the restorative effects of nature on health for a long time. An example of this takes the form of the Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” and means a walk in the woods, Sok explains.
Sok explains that though this term has been known for many years, it has recently resurfaced with a revival of interest in prioritizing health and overall comfort in buildings, particularly in the architectural field. In order to bridge a better connection to nature from the indoors, the idea of biophilic design has further developed, “integrating elements into buildings that can directly or indirectly reconnect us with nature.”
Another priority is to give access to outdoor views through windows, which allows for a visual connection with nature, which Sok notes is vital to an office environment in order to “relax the eye muscles and limit visual and cognitive fatigue.”
For more explanations of biophilic designs and how we can best prioritize through architecture and design, visit SageGlass’ full report here.
Photo by Michael Christo.
