Biophilic Design. Duh.

You may have heard the newest buzzword in design circles: biophillic design. If you haven’t heard of it chances are you have seen it in use. Biophilic design seeks to connect our inherent need to affiliate with nature with the modern built environment. Currently 54% of the world’s population lives in urban environments. That number is expected to rise to 66% by 2050. Generally humans spend 93% of their time inside, separated from natural elements. 

To me, this sounds sad. I am grateful that my business allows me to be outside for so much of my day. During the busy season I am out the door at 7 and not home until after 6. All that sunlight, vitamin D, birdsong and breezes means that most days I am in a pretty good mood. And guess what? Being out in nature does that to you. That’s why “forest bathing”, which started in Japan and encourages quiet time spent in the woods, is so popular. Biophilic design is just another way of bringing nature inside (where unfortunately we spend so much of our time). Houseplants, green walls, and water features can make a sterile office environment feel more like the outdoors. Biophilic design can also be used indirectly – by hanging a large naturescape on an office wall, for instance. Using natural wood elements is another hallmark of biophilic design.  During a recent trip to Miami I was blown away by the way this whole concept was incorporated into 1 Hotel in South Beach. (See gallery below)

By using natural elements in our environments we can reduce stress, improve cognitive function and enhance mood and creativity. Who knew? Well, apparently my mother, who must have been way ahead of her time. After all wasn’t she constantly telling me to, “Go outside and play”?