NATURE IN MICRO HOUSING; the Exploration of Biophilic

Design within Limited Space

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 INTRODUCTION
What this project seeks to explore is how nature fits into a micro home, the project location
will be Gold Coast, Australia and placed within its urban fabric. The nature aspect refers to
Biophilic design and its ability inform the program, surrounding context and deliver a
response that enriches the natural aspects of the structure.
This project is an exploration of typology that seeks to combine the theoretical ideas of
biophilia and its succeeding methods of designs with the modern micro home to create a
building that embraces nature with the construction of space.
This is important because more youth and elderly are becoming more inclined to live in micro
homes but the small space can be uncomfortable to live in but the design theory of biophilia
could overcome some of the micro home specific challenges.
 RESEARCH GAP
There is a lack of discussion between design and micro housing,
this paper seeks to bridge the gap between the two fields by
creating a micro home with biophilia elements at heart of the
design. The case study's presented are used as a dissuasion point
for the many possible applications of the two methods working
together in one structure.

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 BIOPHILIA
The term biophilia was popularized by psychologist Edward O Wilson
in the 1980s when he observed how increasing rates of urbanization
were leading to a disconnection with the natural world. With
high rates of migration to urban settings in the developed world and
soaring rates in developing countries Biophilia is of ever increasing
importance to our health and well-being in the built environment

The idea of biophilia originates in an understanding of human

evolution, where for more than 99% of our species history we
biologically developed in adaptive response to natural not artificial
or human created force.

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 BIOPHILIA DESIGN
Biophilic design is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with
nature that even in the modern world continues to be critical to
peoples physical and mental health and wellbeing.
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 and creativity.
The challenge of Biophilic design is to address these deficiencies The relationship between humankind and nature can be one

of contemporary building and landscape practice by establishing of respect and love rather than domination…The

a new framework for the satisfying experience of nature in the outcome...can be rich, satisfying, and lastingly successful, but
only if both partners are modified by their association so as
built environment to become better adapted to each other...With our
knowledge and sense of responsibility… we can create new
environments that are ecologically sound, aesthetically
satisfying, economically rewarding

Source: https://yestermorrow.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/images/blogspot/s200/biophilic.jpg
BIOPHILIA DESIGN ELEMENTS

Direct experience of Nature Indirect experience of Nature

Experience of space and place
– Light – Images of nature – Prospect and refuge
– Air – Natural materials – Organized complexity
– Water – Natural colors – Integration of parts to a
– Plants – Simulating natural light and air
wholes
– Animals – Naturalistic shapes and forms – Transitional spaces
– Weather – Age change and the patina of – Mobility and wayfinding
time
– Natural landscapes and – Cultural and ecological
ecosystems – Natural geometries attachment to place
– Fire Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321959928_The_Practice_of_Biophilic_Design
 MICRO HOUSING
The definition of a micro home is vague but generally it is
classified as a small home less that 200 m2, it is a micro
dwelling of residential structure designed for full time
occupancy that accommodates 30 m2 per person, essentially
livability + density.
Why the interest? This can be attributed to 5 factors the
economics of owning a micro home are beneficial to elderly
or collage students. The shrinking of house hold size resulting
in people getting smaller homes. The attraction to reducing
carbon footprint emissions. The minimization lifestyle of living
a simpler life resulting in less material things and house
maintenance. Modern technology's capability to compress
physical space taken of personal goods

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 MICRO HOUSING
Micro housing could become a possible solution to many modern
city problems such as affordability, house accessibility and mixed
density housing.
Because the categorization of a micro homes vague the selection
of typology this research is looking at is as follows:
- size 50 – 157 sqm
- height 2 – 4 stories
- location urban setting
These where chosen to best adapt the case study's to Qld building
conditions so that a comparison to the application of constructing
such a project in the gold coast could be made.

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 BIOPHILIA APPLIED TO MICRO HOME DESIGN
Biophilia informs design using the 3 elemental category's along with their
expanded list to provide a guide on Biophilic based design, but a micro home
has many restrictions as such design of the space should be adjusted so that the
following basic principles are meet. This is done so that a successful application
can be applied as the space works in conjunction with all other elements in the
space.
1. Biophilic design requires repeated and sustained engagement with nature.
2. Biophilic design focuses on human adaptations to the natural world that over
evolutionary time have advanced people’s health and fitness.
3. Biophilic design emphasizes an emotional attachment to particular settings and
places.
4. Biophilic design promotes positive interactions between people and nature
that expand our understanding of community to include both humans and nature.
5. Biophilic design encourages ecologically connected, mutual reinforcing, and
integrated design solutions.

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e_Modern_Minimalist_Designer_Furniture_2.jpg?v=1513131685
 CASE STUDY SELECTION
When searching for case study's the definition of
our micro home was applied to make sure the home
meet the size requirement, then after its features
where examined to make sure that they fell into the
Biophilic design category's mentioned previously.
Not only was the design analyzed but also location
the koppen climate served as a guide to match the
climate regions of south east Queensland to make
sure the homes design could be applied if the home
was to exist on the gold coast.

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GARDEN AND HOUSE BY RYUE NISHIZAWA

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GARDEN AND HOUSE BY RYUE NISHIZAWA

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TOKYO, NEAR HOUSE BY MOUNT FUJI
ARCHITECTS STUDIO

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TOKYO, NEAR HOUSE BY MOUNT FUJI
ARCHITECTS STUDIO

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TOKYO, HEARTH ARCHITECTS, MATSUEI'S
HOUSE

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TOKYO, HEARTH ARCHITECTS, MATSUEI'S
HOUSE

Source: https://assets.yellowtrace.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Shoei-House-in-Japan-by-Hearth-Architects-Yellowtrace-06.jpg
TOKYO, “SPLIT MACHIYA” BY ATELIER
BOW WOW

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TOKYO, “SPLIT MACHIYA” BY ATELIER
BOW WOW

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NAGOYA, HOUSE IN MORIYAMA,
SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE

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NAGOYA, HOUSE IN MORIYAMA,
SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE

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 SUMMARY

What this literature review seeks is to see how green space informs the design of
micro homes through case study’s and a comparative analysis against Biophilic
design theory. What has been discussed is a variety of built micro home
examples that involve Biophilic features but the projects are not connected to
literature that discusses the connection of the two types of design ideology. The
research goal is to provide an insight on how the two topics can be connected
through research by design, this means to create a project that synergies the two
topic into a cohesive rubric that informs green micro home design.
SOURCES
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"Split Machiya". Bow-Wow.Jp, 2019. http://www.bow-wow.jp/profile/2010/SplitMachiya/index.html.
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