Biophilic Design-
What on earth is it?!
Biophilic design creates interiors which emphasis and encourage the link between humans and the natural world in order to improve our living standards, lower our stress levels and create healthier places for people to spend time in.
It’s been an acknowledged truth around the world that spending time in nature brings with it enormous health benefits! Who didn’t grow up with the encouragement of getting outside for some fresh air? More poetically, in Japan they advocate the practice of Shinrin-Yoku- which translates to Forest bathing …Just saying that makes me feel magically calmer!
There are many studies proving that hospital patients have quicker recovery rates in beds with a view to trees, sky and wildlife. Businesses, such as Amazon, have implemented biophilic design into their head offices with results such as higher productivity & moral and lower staff absenteeism within their employees. Why wouldn’t we want to have the benefits of biophilia in our own homes?
Another intertwined issue, is that modern building techniques dramatically lower the drafts coming into our homes the flip side is toxins build up that can’t escape. Chemicals are given off by so many things in our home from synthetic paints, sofa fillings, cleaning products and carpet treatments and what’s more many of them are completely odourless so we don’t even know they exist. Often we don’t want to open a window and let the great British weather inside our homes for any long period of time so we need to find another solution-NASA faced the same issue with space travel and their study to combat the problem was surprisingly low tech- plants! They work their magic of purifying the air they process. Making them number one on my list of ways to implement biophilic design:
· House Plants- benefiting you both physically and mentally
· Choose colours that can be found in nature-these will create a subconscious link to the outdoors- sky blues, meadow greens, sandy beaches, the pinks of a sunset, the yellow of your favourite sunflowers.
· The inclusion of natural materials: the visual warmth of real wood the addition of soft, comforting woollen blankets and the beauty of natural stone in your interiors all bring not just a visual connection with nature but also a tactile quality that is grounding and calming.
· Include prints and patterns that are inspired by, or of, the natural world- wave patterns, flowers, clouds in the sky, a woodland scene- there are so many possibilities!
· Include artwork and photographs of your favourite natural beauty spots in prominent positions in your home.
· Fire and candlelight can conjure in us a relaxed and restful state of mind
· Make the most of your Windows-Maximises the light or any lovely views you have to outside.
· Sense of smell- enliven all your senses- the addition of well-placed blooms or dried flowers such as lavender can make a powerful link to the natural world.