BIOPHILIC DESIGNBridging The Gap Between Nature & the Built Environment

ABSTRACT

Since the Industrial Revolution, the built environment and urban areas have exploded at an unprecedented rate not seen in any other time in human history. Where we once evolved and developed in natural settings, today we spend over 90% of our time indoors surrounded by drywall, concrete, wood, and steel.

Biophilic design aims to remedy this modern disconnect with nature and fulfill the longing that humans have to be immersed in the natural environment. This thesis will examine biophilia, the theory that we are innately and evolutionarily programmed to respond positively to nature, and that maintaining this connection is crucial to human health and well-being.

This thesis will explore and emphasize key research of biophilic design, implementation, how it goes beyond "green"design or being a "fad", reduces stress, increases productivity, creativity, and improves over-all health.

BIOPHILIC DESIGNBridging The Gap Between Nature & the Built Environment

© 2014 Paul Ramoie 1

"Psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term ["biophilia"] in 1964 as a way of describing the innate attraction to processes of life and growth."

~ Adam Leith GollnerWait, what is Biophilia?

Biophilia is the theory that humans have an innate or evolutionary-based affinity for nature.

It is the belief that we have a connection and a reliance on nature that has been passed along through evolution. Contact with nature is essential to human health and well-being.

Based on this theory, a framework has been developed that will reconnect humans and nature within the built environment. This framework is biophilic design, which incorporates organic design and vernacular design princi-ples to interior and exterior architecture.

Biophilic design seeks to create a positive connection between people and the environment as well as promoting health and well-being.

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"To experience biophilia is to love a diversity that, as limitless as it is fragile, both haunts us

and fills us with hope." ~ Adam Leith Gollner

Benefits of Biophilia

Scientific research show that humans spend over 90% of their time indoors.

Biophilic design emphasizes minimal environmental impact & restores beneficial contacts between people and nature in the built environment. Biophilic design focuses on a multitude of senses as well as the bodywell-being.

Natural & simulated visual connection with nature leads to reduced stress, improved concentration and attention, reduced blood pressure and heart rates, increased work productivity, positive emotional and mental state, reduced fatigue, sadness, anger and aggression.

Humans have an intrinsic longing to be in harmony with na-ture & are evolutionarily programmed to respond positively to well-lighted or sunny areas over dark or overcast settings.

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"We should bring as much of nature as we can into our everyday environments so as to experience it first-hand; second, we need

to shape our built environment to incorporate those same geometrical qualities found in nature."

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"Mimicking within built environments the features of the natural habitat humans prefer is a logical next step for the green design

movement." ~ Herman Miller

Branches of Biophilia

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Nature in the Space Patterns1. Visual Connection with Nature2. Non-Visual Connection with Nature3. Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli4. Thermal & Airflow Variability5. Presence of Water6. Dynamic & Diffuse Light7. Connection with Natural SystemsNatural Analogues Patterns8. Biomorphic Forms & Patterns9. Material Connection with Nature10. Complexity & OrderNature of the Space Patterns11. Prospect12. Refuge13. Mystery14. Risk/Peril

Visual Connection with Nature. A view to elements of nature, living systems and natural processes.

Thermal & Airflow Variability Subtle changes in air temperature, relative humidity, airflow across the skin, and surface temperatures that mimic natural environments.

Dynamic & Diffuse Light Leverages varying intensities of light and shadow that change over time to create conditions that occur in nature.

Material Connection with Nature Materials and elements from nature that, through minimal processing, reflect the local ecology or geology and create a distinct sense of place.

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design

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"In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks..."~ John Muir

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"In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks..."~ John Muir

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

~ Albert Einstein

THANK YOU

© 2014 Paul Ramoie