Biophilic Design: The Biophilic Office - BRE Group (2024)

FAQs

What are the main points of biophilic design? ›

Biophilic spaces often include well-recognized features of the natural world. Features like vegetation, water, sunlight, and natural materials create a more pleasing visual and tactile experience. This principle can be applied on different scales.

Incorporating direct or indirect elements of nature into the built environment have been demonstrated through research to reduce stress, blood pressure levels and heart rates, whilst increasing productivity, creativity and self reported rates of well-being.

Humans have always been drawn to, dependent on, and fascinated by the natural world. Biophilia, which literally translates to “love of life,” is the idea that this fascination and communion with nature stem from an innate, biologically-driven need to interact with other forms of life such as animals and plants.

Biophilic design is an approach to architecture and interior design that focuses on bringing natural experiences to the built environment. These experiences have been proven to reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve creativity and productivity.

In this landmark report 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design by Terrapin Bright Green, researchers found that the 14 patterns of biophilic design can reduce stress, improve cognitive performance, and enhance emotion, mood, and preference.

Biophilic design can be organized into three categories – Nature in the Space, Natural Analogues, and Nature of the Space – providing a framework for understanding and enabling thoughtful incorporation of a rich diversity of strategies into the built environment.

If not properly maintained, natural elements can become unsightly or even hazardous. Allergies: For some employees, exposure to natural elements such as plants or flowers can trigger allergies or other health issues. Space limitations: Biophilic design may not be practical for all workspaces.

The biophilia hypothesis posits an innate biological and genetic connection between human and nature, including an emotional dimension to this connection. Biophilic design builds on this hypothesis in an attempt to design human-nature connections into the built environment.

A Human Spaces research report showed that biophilic design can improve productivity by 6% and creativity by up to 15%. Vegetated spaces can improve an individual's self-esteem and mood, while the presence of water can have a relaxing effect.

Make you more creative and (as much as 15% more) productive. A series of studies from Exeter University concluded that employees were 15% more productive when “lean” workplaces were filled with just a few houseplants, as employees who actively engage with their surroundings are more efficient and more creative workers.

What are the benefits of biophilia in workplace? ›

Biophilic design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature. Biophilic designed buildings incorporate things like natural lighting and ventilation, natural landscape features and other elements for creating a more productive and healthy built environment for people.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN IS THE PRACTICE OF CONNECTING PEOPLE AND NATURE WITHIN OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENTS AND COMMUNITIES. The International Living Future Institute has seen a demonstrated need among the Living Building Challenge community for Biophilic Design resources that can take the practice from theory to reality.

Main Principles of Biophilic Design

Natural Patterns and Textures: This principle involves using natural patterns and textures in design, such as wood grain, stone textures, and leaf patterns. Light and Shadow: This principle involves using natural light and shadow to create a sense of depth and dimension in a space.