Everywhere you turn these days in the design world, it seems like you hear about “biophilic” design and how it’s predicted to grow in popularity. The name sounds like an adjective for a tree hugger, or at the very least someone enjoys forest bathing.
The definition had become a little murky, and—now that it’s popular—one that gets applied to a very wide array of things. The term was first coined by biologist E. O. Wilson in his 1984 book Biophilia, The Diversity of Life, Naturalist. He defined it as “an innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world”. In the design world, people sometimes refer to anything “natural” (curvy, made of wood or linen, involving a plant, etc.) as biophilic, but it is certainly more than that.
Biophilic Design 101
A smart article in Metropolis Magazine discusses what it is—and isn’t. The gist is that this type of design emphasizes that which advances health, wellbeing, and fitness. Engagement with nature is also important, especially when it is done often and for extended periods of time.
ArchDaily also explores the concept in great detail. In the introduction, it defines biophilic as “Considering the physical, mental, and emotional needs of people, interior designers use human-centered approaches to address how we live today.”
How Does The Concept Work?
So what does that look like? Instead of a couple of ferns on a shelf, think bigger. How about a living wall or (if feasible) a row of small trees inside. You of course need natural light and good ventilation, and to incorporate natural materials (including building materials) that are free from chemicals including VOCs, formaldehyde, and other harmful substances. Incorporate sliding doors where possible, creating a space that blurs the line between inside and out. It should make you—and others in your household plus anyone who comes to visit—feel at ease, comfortable, and nourished.
Needless to say, incorporating a full range of these design concepts can get very expensive and be difficult to maintain. (Hello, living wall!) Obviously, if you’re going to incorporate a large number of plants in your space, you want them to be ones that grow quickly and are easy to care for—and basically ones you can’t kill. And it’s not enough to have a linen-upholstered sofa but nothing else natural in the room. Think of it as an overall experience—and one in which you can participate; wrap a column in rope; use latex-free wall finishes such as milk paint, Roman plaster, or chalk paint.
Ultimately, you have to choose how much you want to incorporate, but the idea is that you should create a complete environment rather than simply pick out a few pieces. The best advice is to do a sort of reverse Marie Kondo: if it sparks joy (and it’s natural), bring it on!
Story by Stephen Treffinger
Photo by Don Kaveen
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