Biophilia in your home and office

Biophilia is the desire to connect with nature. Biophilic design is an extension of biophilia. It is a concept used in construction to increase people's connectivity with the natural environment by incorporating natural materials, natural light, vegetation, nature views, and other experiences of the natural world. Biophilic design is commonly believed to have health, environmental, and economic benefits for building occupants and urban environments. Although this is a relatively new concept, indicators of biophilic design have been seen in architecture as far back as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said: “I go into contact with nature every day to draw inspiration for my daily work. I follow in construction the principles that nature has used in the environment.”
That feeling is the culture of biophilic design. Biophilic design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also mentally beneficial.

Research suggests that when hospital rooms have views of nature, patients’ post-operative stays are generally shorter, they are given less pain medication, and their overall health improves. There is evidence of reduced stress and increased creativity when buildings display images of natural elements such as landscapes, gardens, and waterscapes. A study by researchers Katcher, Segal, and Beck found that patients waiting for dental surgery had lower anxiety levels when there was a fish tank in the waiting room, compared to when there was none.

Studies show that biophilic design techniques used in work environments increase employee well-being and therefore help other financial benefits such as reduced use of sick days. Annual savings for a company can amount to hundreds of euros per employee.

Biophilia in your home and office

Bringing the outdoors inside your home is a great way to reconnect with nature. Use indoor houseplants in your home to add beauty. Live plants not only help purify the air inside your home, but they also promote a peaceful atmosphere. Add greenery in pots, trailing hanging plants from the ceiling, and an herb garden on the kitchen windowsill.

The sights and sounds of water are an aspect of biophilic design that helps create a connection with nature. Installing a fountain in your living area or outdoor entryway is an easy way to embrace biophilic design. Also, try adding an aquarium to your home to welcome the earth into your everyday life.

Make the most of available natural light by keeping window panes clean and unobstructed by curtains.
Embracing the biophilic lifestyle can be the key to surviving the self-quarantine during the coronavirus period but also to improving the quality of your life.

Famous Biophilic Projects in Europe

Biophilic design still carries the premise of a bizarre architectural or artistic experiment. But growing scientific evidence clearly states the various benefits of incorporating biophilic elements, proving that this trend of today will soon become the norm of tomorrow. As executive producer Stephen Kellert of the film “Biophilic Design: The Architecture of Life” describes it:

“Biophilic design is an innovative way of designing the places where we live, work and learn. We need nature in a profound and fundamental way, but we have often designed our cities and suburbs in ways that degrade the environment and alienate us from nature.”

The best place to appreciate biophilic design is in the European architectural landscape, where natural elements can be found even in ancient structures built centuries ago. Also, with the growing awareness of the environment, holistic living and the rights of employees to have a proper workplace, important building regulations have been put in place. With this in mind, modern architects are designing some of the best examples of biophilic buildings, each project showing unique workmanship and interesting and beautiful solutions.

1. Selgas Cano, Spain

Located in Madrid, the Spanish architecture studio Selgas Cano has designed its office in the shape of an aerodynamic tube, which encloses its employees with a magnificent view of the beautiful forest that surrounds them.

The curved fiberglass wall gives the building a streamlined look and allows natural light to enter the space. Desks line the wall to keep employees level with the forest floor, while spherical lanterns illuminate the workspaces at night. Half of the structure is buried in the earth, creating a natural insulation system. This is especially helpful during hot summers, when the building cools without the need for air conditioning.

2. Tree House Hotel, Sweden

The Tree House Hotel, also known as Mirror Cube, is a series of treehouse hotels that offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience. Located near the village of Harads, the hotel is unique due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle. The brainchild of designers Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, the structure is a 4 X 4 X 4 meter cube made of aluminum and mirrored glass. Hanging from a tree trunk, the hotel is accessed via a rope bridge connected to the nearby tree.

The entire structure is camouflaged by the external facade that reflects the surrounding forest. In addition, the glass is laminated with a certain bandwidth of ultraviolet color. This prevents birds from colliding with the glass. The interior is made of plywood and can accommodate two people.

2. Vertical Forest, Italy

One of the most ambitious biophilic projects in Europe is located in Milan. Vertical Meaning “Bosco Verticale”, Bosco Verticale represents an impressive solution of theItalian architect Stefano Boeri to address the city's air pollution. According to statistics, Milan is one of the most polluted cities in Europe.

Residential high-rises are home to a wide variety of flora including shrubs, small plants, and large trees. For example, the Porta Nuova Isola neighborhood has over 500 medium and large trees, 300 small trees, 5.000 shrubs, and 11.000 plants. These plants have the capacity to convert 44.000 pounds of carbon dioxide into oxygen on an annual basis. The trees also act as a screen for dust particles, a noise filter, and a natural refrigerant. Aerial arborists regularly groom the vegetation, and examine the trees to ensure they are safe at heights of 400 feet.

3. Bayerischer Hof Hotel, Germany

Designed by the studio Jouin Manku, the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich exudes sophistication and class. The use of natural elements, shapes, textures and colors ensures that the hotel serves as a haven for guests. One of the highlights of the hotel is its lounge.

While soft green textures make up the walls, the lounge floor is a seamless alternation of textures like carpet, stone, and wood. The restaurant booths feature backlit panels carved to mimic the mountainous terrain of the Bavarian countryside. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows allow plenty of natural light to fill the lounge space. Guests can lounge on the wood and leather-bound furniture while enjoying the sturdy curved fireplace. Additionally, the terrace offers breathtaking views of the city and mountains.

4. Juvet Landscape Hotel, Norway

The Juvet Landscape Hotel designed by architects Jensen & Skodvin It is located in a nature reserve in north-western Norway.
The hotel could be called the first landscape hotel in Europe. Combining elements of Norwegian culture, history and contemporary architecture, it is a product of traditional ideas and craftsmanship.

Located on Burtigarden farm in Alstad, in rural Norway, the hotel consists of nine rooms, not concentrated on a single architectural volume, but to reduce the environmental impact, divided into small cubes between the rocks and completely immersed in nature. The rooms each have two beds, dark interiors and one or two completely glass walls to enjoy the spectacular landscape.