Biophilic Design: How Building with Wood & Other Natural Elements Improves Human Well-Being

Every day I try to soak in a few minutes of mind-body calming tied to sun, water or just being outdoors. A few seconds of sunlight on my face, sitting under a tree with my dog, or opening the window to hear the pond waterfall—I breathe it in, and suddenly, everything feels right with the world. This connection to nature is an innate need that all humans share and it is the basis for Biophilic Design principles. Scientific research has proven that it is psychologically and physiologically fundamental for us to regularly feel part of nature. Through architecture and design, we can impart this essential connection by filling a space with the warmth of wood, incorporating sunlight, replicating natural spaces, shapes, and patterns, or providing natural views to create aesthetically pleasing environments that ooze positivity and benefit our mental health.

The concept of biophilia was introduced by renowned biologist E.O. Wilson in his 1984 book Biophilia. Wilson, a University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard, highlighted humanity's innate attraction to nature and our tendency to mimic its processes and structures in daily life. This foundational idea is the basis of biophilic design, where the goal is to satisfy our biophilia by creating architecture that seamlessly integrates with and extends the natural world.

This concept is certainly not new, for centuries our buildings were constructed around these principles without any forethought or scientific evidence; they were simply designed to be pleasing. But for the past 100 years, architecture has become more utilitarian and cost-focused which moved us away from natural materials and the incorporation of aesthetics. The advent of modernity, city planning, suburban sprawl, retail chains, and mass production changed the design landscape. Cookie-cutter buildings and homes are great for our wallets but not so great for our mental health, and with a renewed societal focus on improving well-being, we are seeing a surge in the use of Biophilic Design.

Research has shown that incorporating Biophilic Design elements can improve overall well-being through stress reduction, positively affecting moods and emotions, increased cognitive performance, enhanced creativity, and improved healing. I mean, don’t you feel better when you walk into an airy sunlight-filled space filled with the warmth, richness, and texture of real wood walls and the sensation of a cool stone floor under your feet?

The practice of Biophilic Design incorporates 6 main principles, 14 patterns, and the 5 senses.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The main principles incorporate literal, representative, experiential, primal, and ancestral elements. The principles are:

1. Environmental Features: integrating natural elements like sunlight, wood, stone, water, air, color, fire, natural views, and greenery.

2. Natural Shapes & Forms: incorporating symbolic representation through the use of botanical and animal motifs, columnar supports, arches, vaults and domes, and other forms of biomimicry.

3. Natural Patterns: using natural properties in the built form including balance and tension; aging, time, and patina; sensory variability; contrasts and fractals; bounded and transitional spaces.

4. Light & Space: using light following our natural rhythms including natural light; filtered, diffused, and reflected light; warm light and shadows, spatial variability and harmony.

5. Place-Based Relationships: providing geographic, cultural, ecological and historic connection by using indigenous materials, landscaping, and features to embody the spirit of the place.

6. Evolved Human -Nature Relationships: using design principles that connect to the human psyche. Tapping into the human needs for refuge and security; order and complexity; curiosity; change and metamorphosis; affection and attachment; attraction and beauty; exploration; information and cognition; awe and reverence.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS

The 14 patterns are divided into three categories; Nature in the Space, Natural Analogues, and Nature of the Space.

Nature in the Space patterns gives us direct physical contact with nature within an interior, either visual, sensory, or rhythmic, through mimicry or presence. This can be a stimulating view, natural breezes, sounds, and scents – in essence using all 5 senses to create an experiential environment.

Natural Analogue patterns focus on the non-living and implied elements of nature. Materials, grains, textures, and elements that reflect the natural environment. Think artwork, furniture, textile patterns, and shapes that reflect that natural world.

Nature of the Space patterns define how we relate to the building, room, or space on a human level. Tapping into our psyche concerning perspective beyond our immediate surroundings, providing a haven, imparting mystery and excitement, and/or the thrill of danger.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN FOR THE SENSES

Proper Biophilic Design encompasses all 5 senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. Think of how many ways your senses are engaged when walking through the woods. Biophilic design aims to stimulate the senses in a positive way to create spaces that energize people.

As you can see, the Biophilic design process for architects and designers becomes quite complex when incorporating these principles, patterns, and sensory elements, particularly with residential customers where the elements become highly personal. While it may seem daunting, most designers and architects I know have a deep love of either historic spaces, the art of light and color, or a passion for creating and bringing to life a vision, so Biophilic Design for them is probably fun.

(shameless plug) At ThermaPro Wood we can help bring your vision to life when you are incorporating natural wood materials as a design element. Each ThermaPro Wood project is made to your specifications including wood species, profile, finish, and color. Bring us your plans, we can make it happen.

If you want to learn more about Biophilic Design, here are a few books to read:

Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life

By Stephen R. Kellert, Judith Heerwagen, Martin Mador

Nature by Design: The Practice of Biophilic Design

By Stephen R. Kellert

Biophilic Design LookBook 

By ThinkWood

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