WHAT THE HECK IS BIOPHILLIA?

We have come so far in terms of technological advancements, so much so that almost everything can be done with a single click. However, there’s still a part of us that longs for the innate beauty of nature, therefore, bringing to life the concept of biophilia.

By incorporating nature in our designs and structures, we create harmony between humans and nature, allowing both to coexist peacefully as well as thrive. Although it’s still in its initial stages, biophilia has allowed us to rekindle our love for and satisfy our inner urge to reconnect with nature.

The Concept

Biophilia was first heard from Erich Fromm, a psychoanalyst. He used the term to describe human’s love of life and “…all that is alive”. It doesn’t matter if it’s a person, a notion, a flower, or a community. Fromm says that human’s passion for life is innate; it’s instinctual and born within us. 

This concept was adopted by many of history’s great thinkers such as Edward O. Wilson who coined the “Biophilia hypothesis”. It suggests that humans are inherently in need to connect to life forms because we depend on them to survive. 

A study showed that when people were asked to choose which painting made them feel at peace and secure, they chose the one portraying nature. It was a painting of a bright sky overlooking a green cliff and a vast ocean. It was full of life, and it’s our instinct to feel at ease and drawn to it because nature is necessary for our survival. 

The Application

We have been exhausted by the overly-demanding modern world that we created. Now, our instinct to go back to the life-giving nature is kicking in. That’s why architects and designers focus on integrating nature into our space to calm our aching minds and souls. Biophilic designs became the trend.

Biophilic designs can be executed in both direct and indirect dimensions.

Direct

This pertains to integrating real life-forms into a building’s design to make people’s surroundings more natural. Designers now include indoor gardens and aquariums in their designs. They also make sure that natural light can pass through by strategically positioning glass windows and reflective items.  

Indirect

This refers to designs that mimic the elements and features of natural life forms. Aside from hanging pictures and painting of plants and landscapes, this can be achieved by incorporating earth-tones or woods and stones in the design. 

The Benefits

I’m certain that you’ve read studies that find nature as a great substitute for medicine when curing pain and anxiety. We hear about it often: aromatherapy and listening to nature’s sounds (such as the rain) can induce relaxation which eases stress. 

Researchers Gillis and Gatersleben found that incorporating plants and other portrayals of nature increased the occupants’ tolerance for pain and reduced their stress levels. Another study by Dannenberg and his colleagues found that children who are raised in neighborhoods with plenty of vegetation are healthier than those who are not.

It has also been found that incorporating biophilia in our workplace environment also helps boost overall productivity and reduce employees’ stress. The presence of nature allows for a calmer and more uplifting workplace environment that allows office workers to excel at their work.

Biophilic designs are also great for stimulating one’s creativity, therefore, making them a must-have for those whose work involves creativity such as artists, writers, and more.

Moreover, aside from our mental well-being, the presence of nature indoors can also have plenty of benefits for our physical bodies such as the improvement of our space’s air quality, allowing us to breathe more easily. This is particularly great for persons with allergies and who are susceptible to viruses.

With biophilic designs, people can build resilience and tolerance as they go through life, no matter how chaotic it gets. Going back to nature is a natural calling for humans. We need it to actually live and savor and enjoy life. Keep nature close by letting it in within your walls, and let it fuel you toward wellness and rejuvenation.