In today’s world, most people spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, making time spent outside a relatively small part of the day. For many, living and working in cramped high-rise apartments with limited greenery and poor ventilation adds to a feeling of disconnection from nature.
This disconnection can disrupt our well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and even our physical health. Biophilic design aims to bring natural elements indoors, helping us stay focused and feel more grounded.
In the last decade, biophilic design has really taken off in architecture, especially as we face bigger and bigger environmental challenges. Yet, questions and debates remain about how best to incorporate nature into construction practices.
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Table of contents
What is biophilic design?
Let’s take it back to where this concept started to really get what it’s all about -The term biophilia is defined as ‘the urge to affiliate with other forms of life. Originating from Greek, it translates literally as ‘love of life’ by biologist Edward O. Wilson in the 1980s, when he noticed that people have a natural connection to the outdoors.
The Biophilia Hypothesis is based on the idea that people evolved in nature and are biologically wired to seek environments with certain features, like water sources or lush greenery. This built-in connection to nature has a big impact on our physical and mental well-being. So, it’s no surprise that these ideas are now showing up in modern architecture.
Simply put: Biophilic design is a practice that seeks to create healthier, more productive, and aesthetically pleasing indoor environments by weaving natural elements into building designs.
What is the difference between biophilic and sustainable architecture?
Biophilic architecture & sustainable architecture are two design philosophies focused on enhancing both environmental health and human well-being. Although they share similar goals, each takes a unique approach. Knowing the distinctions between these two can help guide design choices for different projects.
Here’s a quick breakdown to clarify the difference:
- Biophilic architecture emphasizes integrating natural elements into built spaces to deepen people’s connection with nature, enhancing comfort and well-being.
- Sustainable architecture on the other hand, focuses on minimizing a building’s environmental footprint by using resources efficiently, selecting eco-friendly materials, and incorporating energy-saving technologies. Its primary aim is to create structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their entire lifecycle.
Key elements of biophilic design
Biophilic design is much more than just adding a few plants; it’s a holistic approach that weaves natural patterns into the very fabric of built environments!
Stephen Kellert was a professor of social ecology at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Throughout his career, he played a key role in developing the field of biophilic design and became one of its strongest advocates. His six principles provide a practical framework for brainstorming design ideas, helping you think about how to incorporate nature into your project:
Environmental features
This element relates to characteristics of the natural ecosystem found in the built environment, such as:
- Sunlight: Use large windows or skylights to allow plenty of natural light inside.
- Plants: Adding indoor plants or green walls for a touch of nature.
- Water: Including water features like fountains, ponds, or aquariums.
- Façade greening: Plants are growing on building exteriors to add greenery and improve air quality.
Natural shapes and forms
Can you imagine buildings with a life of their own? Buildings that incorporate biophilic design replicate natural features or mimic the flowing forms of nature rather than sticking to the straight edges and right angles typically found in modern architecture. These designs could even mirror local geology or unintentionally resemble living forms. Here are some examples:
- Shells and spirals
- Arches, vaults, and domes
- Animal (mainly vertebrate) motifs
- Egg, oval, and tubular forms
- Tree and columnar supports
Natural patterns and processes
Patterns and processes have always existed in nature—like the way materials age over time, the unique markings on animals, or the textures of wood and stone. Designs that engage the senses, like bold color contrasts or textured surfaces that feel interesting to touch, can capture attention and make spaces feel more inviting.
An example of this feature could be a rough natural stone wall that invites touch, or furniture with vibrant colors that catch the eye and spark interest.
Light and space
Lighting plays a crucial role in biophilic design. Proper lighting can make rooms feel larger, while open-air interiors evoke a sense of freedom and connection to nature. How can you achieve this effect? Mirrors, for instance, can distribute light throughout a space, while glass chandeliers and sculptures interact with light, colors, and shapes as rays reflect off them.
Place-based relationships
This element focuses on connecting a space’s design with its local surroundings and history. It involves using materials, shapes, and references that reflect the culture, landscape, and unique context of the location, creating an environment that feels authentic and rooted in its place.
For example, in offices located in a mountainous region, incorporating local stone and patterns inspired by the nearby mountains strengthens the visual and emotional connection to the natural surroundings, making the space feel like an extension of the mountainous landscape.
Evolved human-nature relationships
While all the elements we’ve described reflect the human connection with our natural environment, this one focuses on fundamental aspects of our relationship with nature and how they can be reflected in the built environment. This can include a sense of safety and protection, a balance of variety with regularity, fostering curiosity and exploration, and creating a sense of accomplishment and mastery over our environment.
Our attachment and attraction to nature can also be harnessed through biophilic design, by incorporating green walls, large windows with scenic views, or natural ventilation that connects the indoors with the surrounding landscape.
Examples of biophilic design
Apple Park – California
A well-known example of biophilic architecture, Apple’s headquarters in California is celebrated for its seamless integration of nature into its design. Apple Park follows the natural contours of the land, is surrounded by around 9,000 trees, and features a central courtyard filled with wildlife. This environment gives employees a sense of well-being and a strong connection to nature.
The Jewel – Singapore
A standout project in Singapore, The Jewel is an entertainment and retail complex at Changi Airport. It features the world’s largest indoor waterfall, the 40-meter-tall Rain Vortex, along with 100,000 plants, supporting Singapore’s vision of becoming “a city in a garden” and setting a model for urban biodiversity.
Second Home – Lisbon
Second Home co-working spaces are found around the world, designed to bring nature into the workplace and spark creativity. The Lisbon location feels like an urban jungle, located above the historic 19th-century Mercado da Ribeira. Filled with thousands of plants and plenty of natural light, it effortlessly combines co-working areas with community space.
Garden & House – Tokyo
Unlike the larger biophilic design examples, Garden and House is a modest 8×4 meter, five-story structure standing 30 meters tall. At first glance, it seems to have no walls, but its exterior is made of glass windows. Each floor is integrated with gardens, and the abundance of plants gives the illusion that each concrete floor is floating. The building was designed by Ryue Nishizawa, a renowned Japanese architect and the youngest to receive the prestigious Pritzker Prize.
Cemex Ventures enhances biophilic design through green construction
Here’s an impactful statistic: the global biophilic design market is projected to reach US$3.14 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 10.2% over the analysis period from 2023 to 2028. Cemex Ventures is committed to helping drive the construction revolution, which includes identifying the most promising solutions in the Contech ecosystem that can push biophilic architecture/design methods into the industry.
Does your startup have a solution that can drive this revolution under our green construction focus area?
