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Biophilic Design is essentially not only bringing plants into space but also recreating the feeling of nature right in the house, connecting not only visually but also with touch and hearing. , taste and smell about the natural environment. All of that helps to heal people and bring people back to their true nature as a living being, and living things need ecosystems. The article introduces the views and explanations of designer Oliver Heath – founder of Oliver Heath Design about Biophilic Design.
The Earth is getting hotter and hotter, climate change is a situation that has happened and is happening, not in any future. All of the above problems are caused by humans having lost connection with nature, with flora and fauna. In the UK, more than 90% of the population uses technology devices and they are dependent on them, people now spend time indoors and feel more stress than ever before, because they do not see the relationship relationship between architecture – energy – plants – animals – people.
People today are looking for “boxes”, in houses that separate us from the elements of nature, where we consider a civilized, comfortable, pleasant life. But throughout human evolution, we evolved in the wild and the reptilian brain, instincts that have always existed within each of us. We always feel relaxed when we go to the sea, go camping, go hiking, go back to nature on our vacations. Because we are a living being and have depended on nature for thousands of years.
But the reality is that most of the world’s population is living around high-rise boxes, between concrete, between plastic, between air conditioners, artificial light. So the problem is how to bring nature into those “boxes” in the most effective way?
There are 3 core principles of Biophilic Design – Biophilic Architecture
Connect directly: When it comes to Biophilic Design, people often think of trees. True but not enough. Nature includes water, natural light, wind, earth, gravel, wood, natural stone, colors, etc.
Create an atmosphere: What is more important than using trees is that we create a natural atmosphere, which is perceived through multiple senses. Colors, patterns, natural materials also contribute a lot. Now that we have more ecosystem-inspired designs, new technologies now help people a lot.
Create a healing place at home: We need the reality that vacations don’t always come. People let their brains get tired for 10 months and go on vacation for the remaining 2 months to relax. That’s not a very good choice. Instead, make your living space, sometimes just a few small corners to heal, rest and connect with nature is enough.
Education
According to studies, just using natural patterns, images and colors has also improved human psychology and emotions. A child who is taught in a classroom using wooden materials, their psychology and heart rate will be more stable. Maximizing natural light increases learning efficiency by 20-26%.
Treatment facilities
Hospitals that have a lot of green space for patients are 8.5% faster to be discharged. 22% of patients said they reduced their stress and pain from surgery when they were more in touch with nature.
Resort construction
Room rates in hotels with lots of green space are often 23% higher, and if their lobby is designed in a Biophilic Architecture, visitors will stay 36% longer.
Commercial buildings
In shopping malls with green space or natural light, people will spend more time visiting and spend 8-12% more money, the return rate is also higher,
Working space
Working space close to nature increases employee productivity by 6%, creativity by 15%, memory and concentration by 10-15%, and absenteeism by 15%.
Residential area
Apartments with large green areas will cost about 7% higher and crime rates will be less than 8%.
We divide the level of connection between people and nature into 4 levels as follows:
Every day: green space on the balcony, in the neighbor’s room or garden
Every week: go to city parks, zoos, green, low-traffic urban roads
Every month: trips to the suburbs or short vacations
Every year: long trips at home or abroad
Because it is every day, every week, every month, every citizen and government needs to ask themselves the question “How to bring nature into each space, each interior item, even the smallest?”, “How to bring more green space into the city, into each street?”, “How much nature do we need in our house to feel the most relaxed and comfortable?”.
Nature and man are a mutually beneficial relationship. Benefits for employees when they work happier, more productive, benefits for homebuyers when they have space to rest after work, benefits for developers, for the tourism industry and broader is beneficial to the ecosystem. Because when we reconnect with nature, we will stop hurting nature.
*Oliver Heath has designed interior spaces for Apple, Bloomberg, Booking.com, Deutsche Bank and Interface. He serves as spokesperson for sustainable design at the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Energy Savings Fund and the Waste and Resources Action Programme. There are programs on Architecture and interior design on BBC, ITV, Channel 4.
Hope the article of Architects Miami brings a lot of helpful information to you!