Biophilic design is an approach to building and interior design that incorporates natural elements including natural illumination, plants, water, and organic materials, connecting people with nature creating a sense of wellbeing and of the outdoors. This can be created directly or indirectly by providing views through windows and openings.

Rooted in the “biophilia hypothesis” that humans have an innate need for nature, adopting these processes can improve mental health, reduce stress levels, and enhance productivity in the workplace.

Key Aspects of Biophilic Design:

• Environmental Features: Incorporating plants, water features, natural lighting, and natural materials such as wood or stone, humans respond positively to such natural features.

• Natural Shapes and Forms: Adopting shapes found in nature to influence design (such as curves and spirals) instead of rigid and straight lines.

• Space and Structure: Creating spaces that feel comfortable, human in scale and encourage calm.

• Natural Patterns and Processes: creating designs that adapt over time, age elegantly and / or mimic organic growth and natural forms.

Benefits of Biophilic Design:

• Mental Health: we are told that 55% reduction in mental health issues can result for those with greater exposure to nature (study conducted in Aarhus, Denmark in 2019). We respond positively to plants, flora and fauna being in direct or indirect contact of our living and working spaces.

• Well-being & Productivity: Improved occupant mood, increased creativity, and 8% increase in productivity and 13% increase in employee wellbeing is claimed.

• Healing: Faster recovery times in hospitals and improved cognitive function are also often mentioned in the use and adoption of biophilic designed spaces.

Here at ep architects, we are convinced of the benefits that can be gained for adopting Biophilic principles when designing buildings, their orientation, scale and location of windows (hence views), natural ventilation and providing close view or contact with flora and fauna all derive direct human benefit.

Whist the advantages may be obvious to many, adoption of such design principles is often overlooked, particularly in housebuilding and design (i.e.: small windows, over development, poor landscaping, poor levels of natural light, inadequate ventilation, etc..) and could so easily form part of the initial design process without additional cost and to the immediate appeal of the owner or tenants, Who knows it may even have a positive effect on value!?

Adopting the use of native landscaping and semi-mature planting on any new development can immediately elevate its presence and quality above the norm. If only developers would prioritise natural capital when regenerating existing or constructing new buildings, to the collective benefit of us all. 

Please contact ep architects with any thoughts or questions via: info@eparchitects.design