Biophilic Design and Architecture

BIOPHILIA AND ITS INTEGRATION WITH

- Shivi Porwal, Tanishka Sharma
ARCHITECTURE

ABSTRACT

This research intends to comprise the terms "biophilia" and "biophilic design" in the
context of how they might be incorporated into architectural design. Examining the
significance of sustainability, green design, energy efficiency, and occupant health and
well-being.
It demonstrates that nature and nature-integrated built forms have a favorable impact
on human health and wellness in different physical, physiological, and social aspects.
It highlights the recent ideas for reducing building energy use in this study and also
emphasizes the principles of biophilia, environmental and economic benefits of
biophilic architecture.
This paper corroborate for this inborn human mental and physiological connection to
nature and afterward evaluates the arising research supporting the various social,
ecological and financial advantages of biophilic engineering.

INTRODUCTION

Biophilic architecture is based on the belief that there is a link between humans and
nature that is gradually supportive over the course of a building's lifespan. Through
these research findings, the goal is to increase the use of environmental components in
biophilic design, such as natural lighting, passive ventilation, plants, water bodies, and
natural materials. Biophilic design accelerates the development of sustainable cities
and structures. This architectural method, on the other hand, helps to improve the
quality of residential structures, consequently benefiting the occupant’s health and the
environment's comfort.
People can have psychological restorative experiences in biophilic surroundings in
urban spaces by releasing mental weariness and lowering stress levels. This approach
emphasizes the enhancement and reintroduction of key parts of nature in the built
environment. Since environmental factors have been identified as one of the most
important factors in improving human health, it has become a popular concern for
every residential building to be sustainable, both socially and economically, in order to
blend in with the occupants' lifestyles and improve the ecological sense within the
ecosystem.

1 / Page
 Biophilic Design and Architecture

What is Biophilia ?

Biophilia

BIO – Life or living PHILIA - Love

thing
Humans have always been fascinated by nature and attracted to it. Biophilia is a
concept that literally means "love for life," and it refers to people’s love for nature and
desire to communicate with it. The effects of nature have an impact on mental stability,
hobbies, personality, and presence, among other things.

Need to study

As we spend so much of our time in restricted spaces in the modern world, any touch
with natural elements reduces stress and increases productivity.
Biophilic design, if represented in a bigger proportion, can have a good impact on a
broad portion of the people, regardless of their occupation.

Improved health.
Increased mood and feeling of well-being.
Improved productivity.
Increased employee engagement.
Reduced stress levels.
Mental restoration & reduced fatigue.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN AND ITS PRINCIPLES

'Biophilic Design' is a design approach in the realm of Architecture and Design that
focuses on satisfying Biophilia, which is humanity's natural need to be fascinated by
and communicate with nature. In terms of architecture, Biophilic Design incorporates
diverse elements of nature to bring relief and joy in man-made objects or settings.

2 / Page
 Biophilic Design and Architecture

1. Environmental aspects include sunlight, fresh air, plants, animals, water, soils,
landscapes, natural colors, and natural materials such as wood and stone.

2. Natural shapes and forms - simulating and imitating natural shapes and forms.
Leaves, shells, trees, foliage, ferns, honeycombs, insects, various animal species,
and body parts are examples of botanical and animal shapes.

3. Natural patterns and processes - functions, structures, and principles found in

nature, particularly those that have played a role in human evolution and
development.

4. Space and light - spatial and lighting elements can generate the feeling of
being in a natural area. Natural lighting, a sense of spaciousness, and more
subtle expressions such sculptural aspects of light and space, as well as the
integration of light, space, and mass are among them.

5. Human relationship to nature – connections between structures and their

unique geographical, ecological, and cultural contexts.

BIOPHILIC ARCHITECTURE
Spending time in such conditions within the boundaries of a building would be the
result of our poor physical and unstable mental health. Reduced interaction with
environment would have a negative impact on one’s happiness and satisfaction, as
well as cause psychological and physical imbalance.

Biophilic Design would be useful in this situation. Biophilic Design is an

environmentally sensitive and long-term design approach that incorporates nature,
natural components, materials, and other natural aspects into architecture and
interiors, eliminating or at the very least reducing the risk of living in unhealthy and
non-supportive surroundings.
As a result of the design strategies of Biophilic Design, people feel better, live better,
and perform better.

Biophilic Design involves the use of natural materials and the incorporation of
natural forms and patterns into a structure. By recreating and appreciating the
surrounding ecology, it assists architects in creating places that compliment with
people's natural empathy for the environment.

3 / Page
 Biophilic Design and Architecture

MERITS AND DE-MERITS OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN

MERITS

1. Natural Light: The utilization of normal light is key to the wellbeing and
prosperity capability of the spaces that we live and work in.

2. Recuperation spaces: where you can work on your physical and mental
prosperity, and reestablish intellectual working.

3. Natural materials: Integrating normal materials is vital, like incorporating

plants into inside spaces and utilizing stone cladding.

4. Dynamic perspectives on nature: Connect even little spaces to nature utilizing

plants and scenes

5. Health care: Recovery spaces can be more settled, really encouraging, and all
round more wonderful spots to be, which means quicker recuperation and
diminished agony can be accomplished.

4 / Page
 Biophilic Design and Architecture

DE-MERITS

1. Need of Regularly Attended Maintenance

2. Achieving Biophilia or using the concept of Biophilic Architecture needs usage of

natural elements or natural analogues and other various factors that add up to
costing of construction.

3. Protection and Conservation from Hazards and Destruction.

4. Not every site location allows Biophilia as concept of designing and building the idea.
Due to various site challenges various desired ideations either might be very difficult
to achieve. Hence, Response to site adds a factor to concepts of biophilic designs.

CONCLUSION

The current review was attempted to recognize the phenomena of biophilia and to assess the
capability of consolidation of vegetation as one of the crucial components of biophilic plan in
assembled climate.

Like all species, humans are also evolved in adaptive response to nature rather than artificial
forces. We are always connected with nature, directly or indirectly. However, due to rampant
urbanization and huge amount of building construction worldwide, our rapport with natural
surrounding is diminishing - which is eventually affecting our health and wellbeing.
According to this theory, man has the innate desire to affiliate with nature as an escape
because nature has immense potential to revitalize us at all scales, individually and socially.
Principles of biophilia refers people as a ‘biological organisms’ and prescribes to create more
natural habitats with the extensive use of single or multiple natural elements. This study
understands it’s evolution and highlights the importance and beneficial effects of vegetation
and studies some successful examples of how it has been integrated into architectural design.
Incorporating greenery in urban built form itself, is one of the ways to bridge this gap
between people and nature.

5 / Page