Have you ever wondered about different types of architectural designs? Do you know why some of the architectural designs keep the essence of nature, or what they are called? We will give all your answers about the most interesting type of architecture. Interestingly, biophilic architecture design seeks to connect our inherent need to affiliate with nature in the modern built environment. In this write-up, we will discuss what biophilic architecture is and whether it is the new trend in real estate.
What is Biophilic Architecture?
Biophilic design is a concept used within the industry to increase the connectivity of residents to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect place conditions, and space. Nature is the major element in a living space in an urban setting. People living in rural areas like to stay close to the natural environment and stay around a lot of greenery. But now people are migrating to urban areas for a better lifestyle. To cater to the occupants, biophilic architecture comes to rescue the architects to design nature-friendly houses.
Biophilic design is used at both the building and city scales; it is argued that it offers health, better environmental, and economic benefits for urban environments.
Originating from the theory of Edward Wilson, a biologist, biophilic design allows for improved performance and comfort of the people occupying those spaces through natural elements like water, non-artificial light, or plants.
Main Principles of Biophilic Design
The biophilic architecture concept is not a very new one; it has been around since 1973. Now, if you see busy cities, you will notice the unhealthy environment boosting air, land, and water pollution.
There are seven main principles of biophilic design:
Nature in Space: This involves incorporating natural elements into the built environment, like water features, plants, and natural materials like stone and wood.
Natural forms: This includes using natural forms and shapes in the building or house design, like curves, irregular shapes, or curves.
Natural textures: Biophilic designs have natural patterns and textures in design like stone textures, wood grain, and leaf patterns.
Light and Shadow: In this principle, the house has natural light and shadow to create dimension and a sense of depth.
Colour: This includes using colours found in natural environments, like blues, greens, and earthy tones, to create a relaxing and soothing environment.
Views: This includes incorporating views of nature like gardens and landscapes into the house.
Connections of Nature: This principle includes creating a connection to nature by iterating the use of materials, elements, and textures that evoke a sense of the natural world.
Examples of Biophilia in Architecture
There are many examples of biophilia in architecture; let’s have a look at some of them.
The Edge (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The Edge is a smart and sustainable office building that features green walls, natural walls, and an energy-efficient design. This building incorporates biophilic principles by adding indoor greenery, natural ventilation, and maximised daylight. The aim was to create an inspirational business environment that could give the feeling of a comfortable environment.
The Bosco Verticale by Boeri Studio in Milan, Italy
The Bosco Verticale is a residential tower featuring over 20,000 plants and 900 trees, providing natural air insulation and purification for the building’s occupants.
Eden Project in Cornwall by Nicholas Grimshaw, England
The Eden project features giant biomes of thousands of plants, giving it a biodiverse environment for visitors to explore.
What is the Difference between Biophilic and Green Architecture?
You might be confused about green architecture and biophilic architecture. Both seem similar but still have some key differences.
Green architecture’s main focus is on reducing the environmental impact of buildings through the use of energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and renewable energy sources.
In contrast, biophilic architecture focuses on the human experience of the natural built environment. It seeks to improve well-being and productivity by connecting people with nature. Both use nature and focus on creating healthy and sustainable buildings. However, biophilic architecture places more emphasis on the emotional and psychological benefits of connecting with nature.
Benefits of Biophilic Design
1. Improved Well-being
Biophilic design improves mood, reduces stress levels, and increases productivity.
2. Increased Property Value
Biophilic design can increase the value of a property by making it more appealing and attractive to renters and buyers.
3. Environmental Sustainability
By adding natural elements into the built environment, biophilic design can reduce water usage, energy consumption, and waste production.
How Can you Incorporate Biophilic Design Into a Building?
There can be many ways the built environment can incorporate natural elements into infrastructure and buildings.
- Indoor plants can be added to boost connection to nature and exposure to the natural environment.
- You can also use natural materials in decoration and construction, such as bamboo, wood, rattan, or cork.
- Incorporating water elements is also an effective way to boost human connections to nature in urban environments. Water features have been found to increase relaxation and reduce stress levels.
- Biomimicry is the replication of natural elements that give humans a feeling of the natural environment. While it is not the same as biophilia, the design and architecture give the feeling of pure calmness.
Moreover, you can utilise the natural lighting in your home for a better experience. Interestingly, you can also include natural ventilation by adding operable windows and vents.
Lastly,
The potential of this biophilia has been recognised widely because, in the growing urbanisation, humans are losing connection with nature. With this approach of adding natural elements and a nature-orientated approach, occupants feel that they are close to the natural environment. It is good to reduce the carbon footprint by following such ideologies for sustainability. Our team of experts also uses eco-friendly approaches in construction serivces and community development. Biophilia is a powerful concept for helping us enact sustainability and include nature in our lives. Its future is bright because many real estate developers are already using this in their construction services.
