What is Biophilic Design?

We humans spend way too much time indoors, in fact about 93% of our time indoors. The problem is that many of us have jobs where we are in front of our computers for hours on end, so on a good day we might be able to get outside for an hour if we’re lucky. But what if we can bring nature closer to us? directly and indirectly, we can begin to create much healthier indoor environments that will benefit our lives physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The wonderful poet Mary Oliver spent much of her time in nature, many of her most famous poems are based on her observations on the beauty of the natural world. This is the gift she gave us. Her poems remind us of the importance nature has on our body, mind and spirit.

Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions

Biophilic Design is the practice of connecting people and nature within our built environment and communities. Research shows that having contact with nature every day can have great benefits on our well-being which leads to stress reduction, boosting positive feelings, increases our problem solving skills, helps us focus and improves creative abilities. For the home that means a visual and physical connection to nature. Not all of us live in a house on a mountaintop with huge windows facing the ocean (#goals), but we can make the best of what we have by opening up our windows to let as much light in as possible. Also bringing natural elements indoors like plants, fresh flowers, water features, natural materials, crystals and artwork are all very nice ways to capture nature indoors.

For me the door to the woods is the door to the temple.” — Mary Oliver, Upstream

Here are some great examples of biophilic design and the importance of connecting architecture and interiors with nature. In these examples, the outdoor space has equal importance to the indoor space. The interiors are very much muted, neutral, organic and natural to compliment and showcase mother nature.

D House-Marston Architects

Castlecrag House- Polly Harbison

Camp Sarika - Luxury Frontiers/Amangiri

Casa Estudio - Manual Cervantes

Casa Estudio - Manual Cervantes

Dalarna house - Dive Architects

Dalarna House - Dive Architects

Balnarring Retreat - Branch Studio Architects

Dutch Gable House - Austin Design Associates

Villa E by Studio Ko

Shelter Island Pool House - General Assembly

McNamara House - Tom Robertson Architects