Biophilic Design

 by Victoria de Bruijn

Biophilic design incorporates nature-based systems, engineering principles and design proposals in an attempt to improve environment quality, health, and efficiency. Describing the  ‘love of life’ when connected with nature, biophilia highlights the most prominent fundamental tendencies of living organisms: sustaining life and positive integration with one another. Thus, biophilic architecture complies with increasing environmental awareness - integrating buildings with their natural sites and occupants - however, is this trendy design practice purely finite and vain?

Whilst many ‘green city’ movements and landscape urbanism projects simply apply vegetation to buildings, biophilic design is rooted in science to encompass different types of nature from physical, sensory, metaphorical to spiritual. In order to reconnect humans with their instinctive love of nature - abolishing biophobia, this practice focuses on overall ecosystems - using the composition of materials and structures to fabricate a comprehensive habitat. Sustainability is the most crucial aspect of biophilia so, if implemented correctly on a large scale, could answer environmental concerns. Although this concept appears inherently trendy (aligning with the new emotional ache for nature), it can transform cities with tangible benefits - such as improving physical and mental wellbeing - and is grounded in evidence.

However, biophilic design can be critiqued for its inequity. The health, happiness and productivity of humans is privileged over other species; are we arguing a superiority over other animals through exploitation? Biodiversity loss remains an urgent challenge, yet breaking down ecosystems to rebuild them within a human-centred strategy results in a loss of habitats and is inefficient. Conceptualising and addressing ‘nature’ within practice becomes difficult; nonetheless, human diversity is currently prioritised over general biodiversity. Through compassion and scientific evidence, a bond should be formed encompassing both the natural and civil world. 

Overall, biophilic design has been proven to reduce stress, improve mood and cognitive performance. It can restore biodiversity and repair the environment, ‘greening’ global cities and home designs. Although the environmental obsession seems fleeting, combining emotion with science through biophilia forms a lasting approach. Biophilic design blends the inside with the outside, so is beneficial.