What is biophilia
The term biophilia, which means love of life and the living, was coined by the biologist Edward O. Wilson in the 80s, to establish the atavistic need of man and his contact with nature.
According to Wilson, human beings feel a genuine affiliation with the rest of living beings because most of our evolution as a species has been carried out in the midst of nature.
Throughout these decades, the biophilia has been incorporated into interior design, with the introduction of elements of nature to provide positivism, productivity and environmental health.
It is shown that the biophilic design In residential, work and social spaces, it promotes the health and well-being of those who inhabit it. The use of biophilic elements has different effects, among them, reduces stress and improves cognitive function.
Benefits of biophilic design
El biophilic design In outdoor urban areas it can help reduce air temperature and thus avoid the greenhouse effect of cities. It also provides people admitted to hospitals a much more relaxed and positive stay that improves their health. He contact with the nature, both direct (natural light, vegetation, etc.) and representative and symbolic (paintings, photographs, etc.), improve recovery from illnesses and surgeries. Living near natural spaces generates fewer social and health problems.
the end of biophilic design is to evoke nature through design and architecture. It is not just about introducing plants without rhyme or reason. It is a whole strategy that requires a 360º planning, which includes everything from the choice of materials, to the use of light or the study of ambient sound.
Natural materials
The use of natural materials, In both architecture and furniture design, it is a way to recreate natural environments. The employment of bamboo, wood, sand, clay, stones and other organic materials help incorporate nature into office spaces.
In the case of wooden furniture, it must be taken into account that they are excellent carbon collectors, which, together with plants and other absorbent materials, improves the air quality in offices.
Natural lighting and exterior views
La natural light and views that a large window provides are other biophilic qualities used in office design. Not only the penetration of sunlight is beneficial for health, as we all know, but also the visual breadth and have exterior views. This is one of the factors that is most related to the wellness and health inside buildings: the effect of nature views. In the search for reconnection with natural environments, the visual connection itself is the first and most basic way to achieve it.
Acoustic quality and effects
Through the auditory sense Other biophilic properties can also be integrated into office design, many of them also associated with sight, as we have seen in the previous point. For example, him effect of water in a fountain or a pond causes a double visual and sound effect, which creates emotions in the subject who experiences it.
La auditory biophilia —the sounds of nature—can go a long way. Sound masking and noise creation systems soundscapes that reproduce non-repetitive natural sounds, especially the sounds of water but also the sound of birds or moving leaves, reduce stress and improve mental recovery faster than normal office noise. In the long run, reducing stress and avoiding burnout can help improve creativity, so these tools to create biophilic soundscapes They are beneficial.
natural forms
El biophilic design goes through evoking shapes of nature, both on a large and small scale, with organic geometries and drawings. We have already seen in previous posts how rounded shapes They generate a feeling of retreat that takes us to the womb.
Also very effective are, for example, designs in the shape of nest, snail, branches or coralsAs well as botanical and floral prints…Likewise, the natural colors, such as green, sea or sky blue, cloud gray, wood or sand tones are always safe assets to recreate natural environments.
In short, any allusion to shape, color and pattern to Nature It generates a positive and close perception in the user, since the room becomes a familiar and friendly environment.
Empathy with the environment
This point emphasizes the user's personal relationship with the built environment to avoid the feeling of offshoring (placelessness). The biophilic designer attempts to use geological and social characteristics to create a emotional attachment to place, since this type of attachment always encourages better environmental and community behavior. That's why we've been talking about it for a while now. km 0 designs, as well as the gastronomic products of local cuisine.
Designers study the site to identify options for making social, cultural and environmental connections between the users and the landscape. What is sought is a good integration of ecology and culture in the built environment.
Use of natural plants
We end with the most obvious and what is commonly associated with biophilia: the plants. But as we have seen, there are other tools and resources, and not only the vegetation to get in touch with nature. As we have seen in different posts, the plants inside the office They help decarbonize the air, purifying it and providing it with higher quality.
In conclusion…
The various features and tools of the biophilic design promote the creativity and innovative thinking. Companies can use biophilia to improve their spaces. The architects y interior designers Office specialists have various options at their disposal to promote biophilia: natural light, recreation of outdoor views, plants, natural patterns and materials or digital soundscapes. Environments with these characteristics help people thrive, improve well-being and spark creativity.
