What are the Benefits of Biophilic Design

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If you are considering a new design for your home or workplace, you may have come across the term biophilia. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, biophilia is the inborn affinity human beings have for other forms of life. So, what does this have to do with interior design?

Well, according to the good folk at Triple Heart Design, biophilic design is the practice of connecting inside with outside, creating a link between a building and nature.

How Does Biophilic Design Work?

To incorporate biophilic design into a workplace or home environment, you would start by bringing outdoor objects inside. This might mean placing plants in various rooms, but it could also mean utilizing natural materials and environmental features such as water or even fresh air.

Biophilic design typically involves bringing the outside in, and one of the very easiest ways to do this is simply allowing fresh air to flow through a space. This might just mean opening windows and doors. Playing nature sounds such as rain, wind, or even birdsong can also give the sense of being at one with nature.

Natural light is also an important part of a biophilic design, as is the use of color and natural materials like stone, timber, bamboo, and cork.

The Benefits of Biophilia in the Home or Workplace 

Wherever biophilia interior design is used, be it in the home or in the workplace, it can have a positive impact on the occupants.

The use of live plants can improve both mental and physical health. Plants use up carbon dioxide in the air and produce more oxygen, thus improving air quality. Some plants are particularly good at removing toxins from the air, and some can even reduce airborne mold.

A nature-inspired design can boost the mood and improve stress levels, which is why it is commonly utilized in work environments. When workers are less stressed, they are prone to be more productive and happier. Furthermore, reduced stress means better mental health, which inevitably leads to better physical health.

With natural light being a focus of a biophilic design, the occupants of the building will benefit from an increase in Vitamin D, which will help to ward off seasonal ailments and boost the immune system.

One of the wonderful things about a biophilic design is that it does not require a lot of money. It is relatively easy and affordable to incorporate the elements of biophilia into your home or workplace. Fresh air and natural light are easy to achieve by opening windows and pulling back curtains. You can also move furniture away from windows to allow more light in.

Natural materials can also be easily integrated into the design of a building. Think wooden furniture, soft furnishings with nature-inspired patterns, and colors that are synonymous with nature such as greens, blues, and other earthy tones.

Using Modern Technology

Some companies will go even further to ensure a biophilic design in their workplace environment. They will utilize modern technology to play nature sounds through internal speakers or project images of natural features on walls throughout the building. They know that nature induces feelings of calm, which in turn helps to boost productivity. Some companies install living walls inside their buildings or water features that can be a calming influence on workers.

Conclusion

Biophilic design is the practice of connecting the inside with nature and it works well in both home and work environments. Improving air quality and maximizing natural light along with the use of natural materials and other nature-inspired features can benefit both mental and physical health as well as boost productivity.

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