architecture – Humans in Nature

What is Biophilic design?

The word Biophilic is derived from Biophilia, a term established in 1984 that is used to describe the relationship between human and nature, and how humans and nature and innately interconnection. As the modern world progressively continues to urbanize, interest in bringing nature back into urban areas became more and more popular, as it welcomed nature into growing cities instead of pushing it away. Biophilic design is defined as a method of design that will satisfy the deep rooted, fundamental human need to be connected nature. Biophilic design can be achieved through greenery, windows, potted plants, and some sort of access to natural light or fresh air. Biophilic designs are commonly incorporated architecture and interior design and many spaces features biophilic designs include workplaces, residential homes, and classrooms. Biophilic design is also often centered around the philosophy that exposure to nature has a positive impact on human life and can increase mental and physical well-being, productivity, creativity, and motivation, as well as decrease stress, anxiety, and depression.

“Nature” much? If your answer is “no” then you are not alone. As a culture, we have erected artificial as well as actual barriers between ourselves and nature. Our houses, cars, roads, and even our shoes are all byproducts of us removing ourselves from the natural world that once surrounded us.  While this separation may have brought us many modern comforts it also left our souls with a strong  yearning for nature. This phenomenon even has a name: it is known as the biophilia hypothesis or BET. Many modern architects and urban planners are now taking this idea into consideration when building their cities and buildings. All over the world, biophilia has become a new and exciting phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions. In a lot of ways, the people of the world are taking a new look at nature and ultimately, slowly bringing it back into their lives.