When having no other choice but to live in concrete jungles, our urbanised lifestyle is urging us to connect with nature in whichever way possible. Biophilic design philosophy holds numerous beauties of filling your living space with rejuvenating nature effects. This approach helps you to create a healthier, more sustainable and more inspiring place to live, work, and heal.
What is biophilic design?
Biophilic design is an innovative interior design and architecture approach seeking to connect the building occupants more closely with nature.
It stems from the concept of the human need to have a biological need to bond with nature through natural materials, light, and plants. This is supposed to create a harmonious indoor environment that mimics the outdoors.
Including these elements in your renovation can reduce stress, improve air quality, and boost overall well-being.
Key principles of biophilic design
Direct nature experiences
This is the easiest way to connect your indoor space with nature. What could be easier than just incorporating living elements directly into your environment, right? Just place the plant next to the window or add an aquarium. However, there are some things to keep in mind.
Overcrowding your space with too many plants can create a cluttered environment that can be overwhelming and stressful. Another thing to look out for is plants that do not suit indoor or require high maintenance or a special climate. For enhanced temperature control, a heat pump or hybrid heat pump can create an ideal environment for plant growth and photosynthesis.
Therefore, consider local and suitable leafy greens, flowering plants, succulents, vertical gardens or even living walls. You could go as far as incorporating indoor trees to add some depth and dimension to your space.
Remember not to block the natural light sources with heavy curtains or furniture. You could also position mirrors, skylights or sun tunnels strategically to amplify natural light in rooms with limited window access.
Indirect nature experiences
Using indirect natural elements like wood or stone is another way to evoke the essence of nature without direct contact. Choose sustainable, reclaimed or recycled materials to add character to your space. But don’t limit yourself to materials only; think about textures as well. Use a palette inspired by natural elements like bark, leaves, or water and layer them for depth and visual appeal.
For some extra dimension to walls and furniture, you could consider using textured wallpapers, carpets or fabrics.
However, stay away from using or overusing bold and kitschy colours as they may overwhelm the place and ruin the natural aesthetic unless you’re longing for some avant-garde look in your place. Also, always keep in mind how natural light affects colour perception throughout the day.
Spatial configurations
For a spacious, organic, and connected-to-nature environment, it’s crucial to balance aesthetics and maintain a cohesive design throughout your place. Start by designing open-concept floor plans to add a sense of spaciousness with the help of minimal partitions and multi-functional areas for flexibility. This will improve the flow of natural light and air and create a more expansive and nature-like environment.
Many homeowners often neglect using curvy and asymmetrical patterns, assuming they will add a chaotic look to the area. But the truth is the effect is quite the opposite as curved and organic shapes prevail in nature and can create a nature-like environment in your rooms.
So don’t be afraid to use flowing, asymmetrical shapes like staircases, ladders, wall paintings or room dividers. Leaves or waves-inspired decorative elements can breathe in even more natural patterns to your environment.
While configuring the transition zones or breaking up spaces does add visual interest, beware of providing not enough adequate shading or weather protection or creating too many small, choppy spaces.
Light and space
It’s no secret that natural light has a tremendous impact on our mood, productivity, and overall well-being. It also aids in regulating our circadian rhythms and reducing stress and anxiety. Therefore, for increased natural light exposure, it’s recommended to install large windows, skylights, solar tubes, and light shelves to reflect sunlight deeper into the space.
Use a mix of materials with varying opacities to create intriguing light effects. Experiment with organic shapes and forms to mimic natural structures and create shadow patterns.
Natural patterns and processes
The key aspect of biophilic design is that it requires careful planning and consideration. To make your natural interior work, you have to stimulate a variety of experiences.
Wind chimes or water features can incorporate natural sounds. Using natural textures in materials like copper, rough stone, or smooth wood stimulates the taste of touch and adds depth to your design. However, you should avoid materials that degrade too quickly or require excessive maintenance.
Finally, introducing natural scents through essential oils and plants enhances mood and helps you stay connected to temporal changes and natural cycles.
Clearly, biophilic design is more than just a trend. It’s a much-needed bridge to reconnect us with the natural world. It helps us create spaces which are not only functional and beautiful but also restorative and health-promoting.
