What is Biophilic Design and why is it important?
T he word Biophilic comes from the term Biophilia which is a hypothesis, introduced by Erich Fromm, that emphasizes a connection between life and nature. From this hypothesis, the Biophilic concept has been derived and introduced as a design that is used widely in construction and architecture. If you are thinking of how to start your interior design, you should give this article a read.
Biophilic design’s primary aim is to connect humans with nature, directly or indirectly, and create a healthy environment. Though the concept of creating a connection between nature and human lives is not a new thing in terms of architecture or city planning, it did fade away in the last few decades when we started to urbanize. As we moved more and more towards urban life and caged ourselves in apartments and highrise buildings, we kind of lost touch with nature. This not only is bad for our overall health but also makes us less and less human. Staying close to nature or being connected with it keeps us mentally and physically healthy as well as improve our productivity.
Now that we know what is Biophilic design, let’s find out we can implement that in our everyday life.
In any man-made environment these days the presence of natural elements is becoming more and more prominent. This is mostly due to the fact that we are becoming more aware of our well-being. To create a healthy and positive environment the basic things you must include, are air, light, and plants.
The sight of greenery can soothe your mind and calm your nerves within no time. People who live around trees and plants develop a healthier lifestyle and are much better physically and mentally compared to people living in Urban areas. A natural ambiance improves our productivity, enhances our creativity, and helps us stay attentive. Modern-day architects and interior designers are trying to exploit this exact connection between humans and nature by bringing more and more natural elements like plants, and trees into workplaces and built environments. Small additions like keeping a few houseplants inside our homes or on our workstations, or a small balcony filled with flower plants can bring a lot of positive energy. Even one flower vase can bring life to a living room or an office cubicle.
Air circulation and natural light are also a big part of the biophilic design concept. In the same built environment, if you can bring more natural light, the place will have a huge positive impact on our mental well-being. Artificial light can make a place cozy but natural light will feel less claustrophobic. Air circulation is extremely important if you do not want to feel an unhealthy life. Proper air circulation will keep you fresh, and energetic, and increase your productivity, making you feel more alive. If there is any chance of creating a space in your home where you can just sit and enjoy the fresh air, make sure to treat that as a priority.
These are all direct ways to create a biophilic design, however, there are indirect ways to keep your place close to nature, or at least make you feel closer to nature. Some of the most common ways to do it are to have a picture of nature on your wall, or a small fountain in front of your office or home entrance. Even the soothing sound of rain or forest playing in your home can make you feel relaxed and help you sleep better.
If you are planning on decorating your house and are not sure where to start, you should read this. If you are from Bangalore and thinking of hiring a professional interior designer, do check Asense Interior, one of the best home interior decorators in Bangalore. They even have a free cost calculator on their website where you can get a cost estimation based on your own requirements. They provide great service, thanks to their technically adept designers and planners, at a very competitive rate if you compare them with the average home interior design cost in Bangalore.
