For a lot of people the times when we have felt the most content, happy or relaxed is when we are out in nature. Be it camping, a country walk, on the beach or just sat in the garden. The simple core truth is that we as humans have an innate affinity to living things and a need to feel close and connected to nature. The word biophilia literally means ‘a love of life and the living world’, and by bringing nature into our homes and work spaces it allows us to feel the benefits there too.
I’m a huge fan of designing spaces with a lot of plants to punctuate areas of a room, whether it is a bedroom, bathroom or study, I believe it always works better with a touch of the outside, than without. Because biophilic design is a philosophy, not a trend or a style, it can work equally well in a country cottage as it does in a minimalist studio flat. Plus the biophilic philosophy extends to more than indoor plants, but to designing a space with natural design in mind, including; micro gardens, raw timber, linens, pottery and warm neutrals. As well as how you heat your home, use water and work with light. All contributing to a calming and beautiful environment enhancing our wellbeing.
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you”.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
HOW A BIOPHILIC DESIGN CAN ENHANCE YOUR SPACE
By designing in this way it could transform your living, sleeping or work space into an invigorating and enriching environment, where you can feel a sense of harmony and happiness.
THE BENEFITS OF PLANTS
It has long been known that there is a link between plants and how they can improve our health and mood. In 1989 NASA even conducted a clean air study that looked into how plants and what they emit can positively affect the air in our homes and living spaces. I found out about this study many years later from a colleague who also shared my interest in plants. After reading it I immediately went out and bought all the suggested plants on the list!! It so happens that the article on some levels was debunked, but in general the overall research conducted worldwide is that being surrounded by natural elements helps to lower our stress hormones, improve our attention spans, elevate white blood cells to improve our immune systems, increase longevity and boost our cognitive function. All in all putting up a pretty good argument for surrounding ourselves with nature.
WORKING WITH NATURAL INTERIORS
To reap the benefits of bringing the wild indoors, there are three core design principles:
Close to nature – connecting to our spaces through our senses; from what we can see, touch, and smell, all reminding us of the calming effects of nature.
Natural forms – By using the shapes, colours, patterns and textures referenced from nature, it allows us to to take inspiration and be surrounded in a variety of ways.
Creating a space – This could be anything from creating the qualities of nature, such as a cocooning area or configuring a space to have sightlines that look out towards a beautiful vista.
ADDING COLOUR TO BRING IN THE ELEMENTS
Referencing nature through colour can allude to those outside influences without being the real thing. By choosing a harmonious palette it will have a positive effect on our mood, whether that is to feel calmer or to feel energised and stimulated, much like being in nature itself. Working out which rooms in your home are north or south facing can also help how you choose colours. As they will change depending on the time of day and whether under natural light or not. Whether you choose a mix of similar tones or contrasting, it will create a significant backdrop to your biophilic design.
Whichever way you choose to bring the biophilic philosophy into your home or space then be mindful of how it makes you feel, experiment with colour combinations and be bold with your inclusion of plants. I say the bigger the better, but more on that another time!