SO, what does Biophilia actually mean?
The word biophilia originates from the Greek, ‘philia’ meaning ‘love of’. It literally means a love of life or living things. Humans have a deeply engrained love of nature which is an intuitive and natural drive imprinted into our DNA.
We Have a Physiological need to be in contact with nature and the natural world.
Question: Have you taken a walk outside lately? in your local park, nearby forest, mountain, seaside? How did you feel?
And yet we spend most of our time indoors.
Researchers have found that more than 90% of people would imagine themselves in a natural setting when asked to think of a place where they felt relaxed and calm. Being in or around nature makes us feel good, our physical and mental wellbeing depends on us spending time in a natural environment.
Designers too frequently default to how things look, which makes sense as vision is our primary sensory system, however experiences have more impact if they can trigger multiple senses.
As humans we buy into emotions these are triggered by our senses.
In the high -end luxury world we sell experiences not just the product. When you buy a Rolex watch we are not just buying into the quality product, which by-the-wayis not bought in a discount market and neither delivered in a cheap plastic bag.
No, they are sold in expensive shops, with the right lighting, in a room filled with exquisite fragrance, presented to you on beautiful soft velvet and you will keep it in a preciously elaborated box.
Whilst you may say this has nothing to do with nature, it has everything to do with senses and emotions!
Through Biophilia and Biophilic design, we aim to build spaces with people in mind; so, the need to tap into all senses is crucial and as Nature is in our DNA, because we are Nature, bringing nature indoors will resonate with our senses.
The study and implementation of Biophilic design and Biophilia in general may seems instinctively obvious at least for the direct impact of nature but when examined in more detail, for it to be truly beneficial it is necessary that the components be harmoniously presented.
Studies have shown evidence of positive benefits of human interaction with nature, such as improved productivity, lower levels of stress, enhanced learning and even improved recovery rates following illness.
With 70% of humans living in urban areas and the incredible increase in world population reaching 9 Billion(when in the 1950’s we were only 2,5 billion) we are called for a more respectful relationship with nature
“We are on a Highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator”” as pronounced by Guterres in the recent Cop27 and time is of the essence.
The built industry counts for 48% of carbon emissions and we have a responsibility to reach zero emissions by 2030. The principles of biophilia and Biophilic design can help as a framework also for this.
Biophilic design incorporates, natural elements, maximising daylight, views of nature, natural materials, and natural features such as indoor planting and water features, into architecture and interior designs.
Biophilia is the love of Life, Biophilic design aims to bring back this love of life into our spaces through reconnecting to nature.
LIFE is limited. LIFE is urgent and important. LIFE is too short to be lived half-heartedly. Love Life, Love Biophilia