Journal of biophilic design - articles, research, podcasts, videos on biophilia
London’s iconic Barbican conservatory couldn’t have been more fitting for a conference dedicated to the immense benefits of a world designed with biophilic principles. Visionaries, designers, architects, lawyers, academics, entrepreneurs, advocates and professionals across various walks in life, came together to share their perspectives for one full day in a series of talks.
I really enjoyed this discussion with the lovely Jeffrey Hart, this is Part 2.
In this episode, we explors the fascinating world of biophilic design and its potential impact on sustainable and ethical practices. We delve into the use of clay, earth materials, and mushroom mycelium as tactile and eco-friendly alternatives. The episode also touches upon the challenges of promoting green alternatives in mainstream industries and the potential positive effects of biophilic design on employee ethics and productivity.
Lastly, Vanessa highlights the growing popularity of biophilic design and its numerous benefits, from improved air quality to increased real estate value.
Tune in for an intriguing discussion on incorporating nature into indoor spaces for a more sustainable and enjoyable environment.
Building Sustainability Podcast (Part 2!)
Biophilic Design - the use of plants in providing cleaner air and connecting us with nature, coupled with natural light, certain colours, acoustics, and fragrances - has long been proven to have a positive effect on both mental and physical well-being. For over 25 years, expert horticulturalists Benholm Group have pioneered the use of plants for interiors, not only as an eye-catching focal point, but also to promote the natural health benefits that being surrounded by plants can bring.
This concept has now been brought to the forefront of a new research study led by Sustainability Lead at House of Commons + PhD Researcher, Joyce Chan-Schoof to question if we can apply a social and economic value to biophilic design.
Can biophilic design add value to the workplace - not only through improving air quality and aesthetics, but can it have a tangible impact on employee productivity, retention, absenteeism, satisfaction, engagements and up-skilling?
Connecting to the environment makes people feel more relaxed in their homes and workplaces. Incorporating nature indoors has become increasingly popular after the pandemic, we are seeing more people decorating their homes with plants and natural materials. The Biophilic Design concept can create a unique look and is excellent for the environment.
Here are some ways biophilic design creates a sustainable space.
Westfield London is launching a biophilic-designed home pop-up called ‘Healthy Home’, with renowned sustainable and wellbeing designer Oliver Heath, working with a range of home and interior brands to curate an exclusive collection inspired by biophilia. Visitors to the pop-up, which will be live between 19th to 22nd May, will be able to discover the benefits of biophilic design and how to transform their own homes into mindful and restorative spaces through clever designs that focus on various approaches, ranging from sensory design to supporting biodiversity.
From Edible bus-stops to pocket parks and Roof gardens on the tops of London Banks, journalist Hartley Milner takes us on a trip around the UK and London highlighting the difference nature has made to spaces, and how clever and heart-felt use of Nature in Design has transformed lives.
Read on for not only some interesting statistics but also there is a compelling interview with the architect of the beautiful and inspiring Maggie’s Cancer Care centre in Southampton.
Why the Hospitality Industry needs Biophilic Design
As many of us are aware, the benefits of bringing nature into your life include reduced stress and anxiety, creating clarity of mind and increased creativity. The hospitality industry needs nature to meet sustainability goals as well as bringing unique benefits to people in their venues, subsequently attracting additional customers. One of the main benefits of visiting hospitality spaces incorporating nature, include reduced stress and anxiety, and enhanced relaxation and enjoyment…
Have you ever wanted to really ground yourself in Biophilic Design?
We have teamed up with Oliver Heath to give you 10% off their level 2 course. ‘Biophilic Design in the Home’ is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Biophilic Design, whether you’re a designer looking to add another string to your bow or are simply interested in helping yourself and others feel happier and healthier..
You may have heard of the “sick building syndrome” where the actual building we live and work in is making us sick. There are a mass of chemicals that are hidden in the paint we use, the cushions and chairs we sit on, the clothes we wear, the carpets we walk on… it can cause everything from coughs, allergies, skin problems, dry eyes, right down to cancers and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.
I became aware of the topic of biophilic design in 2008 through an online presentation by Stephen Kellert, former Professor Emeritus of Social Ecology & Senior Research Scholar, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University.
I immediately recognized a kinship between my work in feng shui and this new discipline and have dedicated the last decade to studying and, eventually earned a certificate in biophilic design from the International Living Future Institute earlier this year. (See my earlier post on The Intersection of Feng Shui & Biophilic Design)…
Feng shui is an intuitive art that has been practiced for thousands of years. It was built on the observation of nature, common sense, and gut instinct and was used to locate the optimal places for survival. But today, the primary goal is to enhance success in life. Feng shui is a language of metaphor that requires attention to the feel of spaces.
On the other hand, biophilic design was developed in reaction to our modern, technology-driven lives. It is based on researchthat shows access to nature and natural elements decreases stress and improves our feeling of wellbeing.
Biophilia finds its way in most of my projects
It is only recently I asked myself the question “Why is it that everything I do encompasses biophilia in one way or another?
I do “Interiors with a Purpose” - mostly for workspaces - and I always invite nature into the spaces I create. It’s the most obvious way to create an environment that thrives and engenders wellbeing I believe.
It worries me whenever I see an office environment in a bad state. Of course, I like designer furniture, art ,etc. But even more I appreciate when people make an effort - when you feel that the surroundings have been taken good care of and you feel a good atmosphere. The best atmosphere is when nature is present. Humans have an innate tendency to seek connections with nature…
Many things have changed for humans since their early days as a species—how excited do you think early Homo sapiens would have been by heating, air conditioning and weather tight structures to install them in, for example?
Not everything is different, however. We still have fundamentally the same brains as the first creatures we would recognize as “one of us.” That means we process and respond to the basic sensory inputs we see, hear, feel, taste, and smell today as our earliest human ancestors did….
Epigenetics - Why our hospitals need to look and feel more natural. ‘Epigenetics’ is a recently established pillar of biomedicine, it examines how environmental signals control the health of our cells. the opposite of the placebo effect, the nocebo effect, which, simply put, says negative thoughts create sickness. If you believe the power of the placebo effect, think about how important it is to not fall into the nocebo effect, driven by negative thinking. This may worry many, as psychologists say that 70-80% of the average person’s thoughts are negative ones. So, coming back to the fear of being in hospital…
The benefits of biophilia are increasingly being accepted by workplace designers and managers as not only adding to the visual attractiveness of a workspace, but also by enhancing the wellbeing and happiness of its staff and visitors. We all know that this in turn results in increased productivity, creativity, attendance rates, stress levels and fatigue, and ultimately increased workplace performance. Read more…
What happens if you try to change the world and you’re successful?” asked William Keyes Rudolph, introducing a touring exhibition entitled Victorian Radicals*.
The answer, where interiors are concerned, illustrates the Law of Unintended Consequences. It arises from nothing more complicated than the geometry of walls….
Croner-i published an article announcing the launch of the new UK Association formed to promote hearing conservation in the UK. The UK Hearing Conservation Association (HCA) claims that current noise risk at work management programmes are not working, and that improvements are needed in several key areas.
We are particularly interested in that their focus will be on preventable causes of hearing loss and hearing health impact “through common sense, cost effective, evidenced solutions”.
70 million working days are lost each year due to mental ill-health, costing Britain £70-£100 billion, according to the Mental Health Foundation, with a 24% increase to the number of working days lost in the past 6 years the number of working days due to stress, depression and anxiety. How do we improve this? The solution is closer and cheaper than you think…
“Rethinking the intensive care environment: considering nature in nursing practice” is an excellent paper by Claire Minton, MN, RN, Lesley Batten, PhD, RN, it “explores evidence related to the negative impacts of the intensive care unit environment on patient outcomes and explores the potential counteracting benefits of ‘nature-based’ nursing interventions as a way to improve care outcomes.”…
A fascinating report in HERD: Health Environments Research and Design Journal, reports results of research studying the influence of nature stimulus in enhancing the birth experience.
“These findings support the study hypothesis which states that the nature images would influence the labor experience positively. In addition, the findings emphasize the importance of incorporating non-pharmacological techniques in the labor and delivery room (LDR) units to soothe the pain. Adding nature imagery to the LDR environment can be one of these techniques.”
