Incorporating Biophilic Design In Your Home
There’s no denying it… the calming tranquility of simply being outdoors. Whether you’re exploring the rugged trails of Discovery Park, golfing for a jog around Green Lake Park, or pitching a tent + sleeping under the stars at Mt. Rainier National Forest.
Yes, as a Seattle based interior designer, I’m promoting the great outdoors :) So, there’s definitely some irony here *wink* but the reality is for John + I one of the easiest places to find solace, relaxation + relief is in the presence of Mother Nature.
There’s something magical that happens when you surrender yourself to the vast openness of the natural landscape. And while we’re stewards of science (especially when it comes to nature + all of the magnificent ways it can positively impact our lives, our health + our wellbeing) there’s a surprising amount of research confirming that most of society is disconnected from the natural world.
For instance, research from the Total Exposure Assessment found that we are spending more than 90% of our time indoors –– isolated, separated + detached from nature. Which is insane because despite all of the benefits nature has on our body, most of us aren’t engaged with it enough. And that, my friend, is exactly why biophilic design, a strategic approach to incorporating natural elements in your home, matters.
While all of us could probably make a little bit more of an effort to conscientiously venture out + explore all that mother earth has to offer, it doesn’t go without mentioning the fact that we can significantly improve our state of well being while enjoying time indoors...from the comfort of our home.
Yep, it’s all about the compounding effect because believe it or not, the little things do add up. Small things can absolutely make the most significant difference in our lives, so let’s dive in + discover more about the wonderful world of biophilic design + all it has to offer.
WHAT IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN?
Before we shift our attention + start focusing our energy on all of the fun + exciting ways we can implement biophilic design into our homes, let’s make certain we have a solid understanding of what it is.
First, let’s start with the simplest definition of Biophilia meaning love of nature. And in his book Biophillia, Edward Wilson a Harvard Professor describes what he calls the Biophilia Hypothesis as “all humans possessing an inherent tendency, from our ancestral ways of life, to seek connections with nature.”
As society evolved towards a more urban, and even suburban, way of living our lifestyles, our work environments + our homes disentangled from Mother Nature. Therefore, biophilic design integrates elements of the natural environment into the places we visit, work + where we live in an effort to bridge the gap. To reconnect us back with the positive impacts nature has on our health + wellbeing.
In fact, effective biophilic design in our homes creates spaces that emulate the restorative benefits nature offers us. So, what are those benefits?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN
In the study, 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, the benefits supporting biophilic design are linked through research in three areas: cognitive, psychological, and physiological. First, let’s break each down below technically + then in layman's terms :)
Cognitive Functionality + Performance Benefits
Which they describe as “encompassing our mental agility and memory, and our ability to think, learn and output either logically or creatively.”
So, what’s all that gibberish mean? Those cognitive behaviors — things we perform routinely — can wear us down, they can make us fatigued or drain us but the routine connection with nature, a la biophilia, fills us back up. It energizes us + can restore our performance capabilities faster than someone living in a home without these elements.
Psychological Health + Well-being
Which they describe as “encompassing our adaptability, alertness, attention, concentration, and emotion and mood.”
In layman’s terms: the presence of biophilic benefits in research has shown that spaces created with biophilic elements derived from the natural environment lower anxiety, anger, frustration and confusion – a haven for emotional restoration!
Physiological Health and Well-being
Which they describe as “encompassing our aural, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circadian systems and overall physical comfort.”
From quality furnishings to a free-flowing layout of a space, it’s fairly obvious how the design of your home can play a role in your physical comfort, right? But it’s fascinating to think about your home as a place that can contribute to: lowering blood pressure, decreasing cortisol levels (your stress hormones).
The benefits of biophilic design + the impact it has on our minds + on our body are strikingly obvious but if your eyes glazed over reading that, not to fret my friend — we have an incredible fascination at Elegant Simplicity when it comes to exploring the art of a beautiful space + where science converge.
Summary of Biophilic Design Benefits
So, without further ado, we’ve done you another solid + created a comprehensive list of all the biophilic benefits below. With intentional planning + by strategically incorporating biophilic layers throughout your home you’re promoting:
lower blood pressure
lower heart rate
reduced stress levels
positively impacts physical comfort
improved concentration + attention to detail
improved sense of safety
reduced boredom, irritation + fatigue
improved engagement or attentiveness
improved creative performance
enhanced perception
improved concentration
improved memory restoration
Not to mention BIOPHILIC DESIGN positively impacts
visual comfort
circadian rhythms
attitude + overhaul happiness
perceived mental health
shifted perception of the environment
induced strong pleasure response
It’s astounding, all of the potential benefits + the positive impacts biophilic design has on our health but what are biophilic elements of nature?
WHAT ARE BIOPHILIC DESIGN ELEMENTS YOU CAN INCORPORATE IN YOUR HOME?
In The Practice of Biophilic Design, authors Stephen Kellert + Elizabeth Calabrese, have identified three main categories for incorporating biophilia.
Direct Experiences of Nature
Indirect Experiences of Nature
Experience of Space + Place
Direct Experiences Of Nature
In your home, direct experiences of nature are easy because they’re usually the first thing that comes to mind. Direct experiences of nature are things like plants (hello captain obvious *wink*) water, light and other physical elements such as air.
PLANTS
Whether you have a black thumb or not, plants are one of the most beneficial ways you can introduce nature into your home. Kellert + Calabrese argues that flowering plants especially, not only decrease stress but enhance productivity + creativity.
WATER
From expansive views or large bodies of water like Lake Washington or the Puget Sound, we know that water plays a big role in promoting satisfaction + enhancing health at home. However, the physical presence of water inside our home is a bit more difficult because we don’t often envision a home with a massive water feature #NeverSayNever :)
VIEWS
Interestingly enough, like with water — a large expansive view of nature be it forested, mountainous or of something else can be incredibly satisfying.
LIGHT
It goes without saying that the presence of light in our homes increases positive energy + is fundamental to both our health + well-being. When you’re building a home, considering the exposure to sunlight in all seasons can play a significant role in your year-round comfort. Not to mention, light can be thought of in other ways — such as reflective materials or the physical colors being used throughout your home.
FIRE
We don’t often think of fire as a natural element that we’d necessarily want to invite into our homes but the fact that we can control it by way of a fireplace is a really simple way to increase comfort and lower anxiety levels.
Here is a list of a handful of additional biophilic design elements that we have direct experience with that can be incorporated into your home.
Summary of Direct Experiences Of Nature
Light
Air
Water
Plants
Animals
Natural Landscapes (+ ecosystems)
Weather
Fire
Indirect Experiences Of Nature
Beyond considering just the physical elements of nature that can be incorporated in biophilic design for your home, there are what Kellert + Calabrese refers to as indirect experiences of nature. These provide opportunities for things like imagery, natural materials, colors, and other elements that mimic or evoke nature.
IMAGERY
Whether it’s photographs, paintings, sculptures or even digital versions of all these things the depiction of nature — anything from the direct experiences of nature summary above — can help positively benefit your health + well-being.
NATURAL MATERIALS
Usually, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of natural materials is wood (which is fine) but Mother Nature is incredibly diverse. Consider other natural elements like stone, wool, leather, or other fabrics + materials that can be used in construction or in furnishings to help promote the dynamic diversity we naturally find in nature. As research has pointed out, these elicit positive cognitive, psychological + physiological responses.
NATURAL COLORS
One of the easiest ways to prominently incorporate elements of biophilic design is through the use of natural colors. Tones that are found in nature — plants, landscapes, soils, rocks, etc. They do tend to stay more muted and subdued rather than vibrant.
THE PATINA OF TIME.
This is one of my favorite elements of biophilic design because when done in a really meaningful way it’s an ode to the natural progression of life. Aging or weathering is inevitable for everything therefore when we intentionally choose quality materials with this in mind they evoke + create a sense of passage of time.
Here are a handful of additional biophilic design elements we tend to have indirect experiences with + that can be incorporated into your home.
Summary of Indirect Experiences Of Nature
Images of Nature
Natural Materials
Natural Colors
Simulating Natural Light and Air
Naturalistic Shapes and Forms
Evoking Nature
Information Richness
Age, Change + the Patina of Time
Natural Geometries
Biomimicry
Experiences Of Space + Place
Experiences of space + place are all about recognizing our symbiotic relationship with nature. That our health + wellbeing requires that our homes meet both our basic needs of safety + security in conjunction with nature. In fact when it comes to experiences of space + place the National Parks says, “The spaces [we inhabit should] coalesce as a synchronistic whole with a timeless nature-like quality.” –– I absolutely love this quote!
INTEGRATION OF PARTS TO WHOLES
One of the best ways to wrap your head around the idea of integration of parts to wholes is to think about an open concept floorplan + the way in which natural hardwood floors create a sense of continuity connecting the kitchen, living room, and dining room.
Now imagine walls that are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into a forested terrain. Suddenly, the lines between indoors and outdoors are blurred + the seamless integration of the home feels like continuation or a part of the whole forest.
In other words, the linking of spaces (indoors and outdoors) with clearly defined boundaries (i.e. walls and windows) creates an enhanced sense of being.
TRANSITIONAL SPACES
When it comes to our homes, think about the transitional spaces such as hallways, doorways, and areas that link the indoors and outdoors like porches + patios. Without even realizing it, these spaces are often overlooked or get deprioritized when it comes to our wishlist. But they’re actually extremely important + play a major role in naturally transitioning ourselves from space to space.
Summary of Space + Place
Prospect and Refuge
Organized Complexity
Integration of Parts to Wholes
Transitional Spaces
Mobility and Wayfinding
Cultural and Ecological Attachment to Place
P-H-E-W! That was dense :) But like anything good in life — it’s worth its weight in gold.
Because biophilic design embodies so much more than simply providing us with a way to be more efficient, productive or creative. It’s not an innovative tool.
It’s a consciousness that you incorporate and lean into as you build, design, furnish + style your home. And when done the right way, it has profound, significant, and truly transformative effects on our health + well-being.
Not to worry boo — we’re here. If you haven’t already, check out our 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home and when you’re ready to begin your transformational journey — let’s chat.