How bringing biophilia into your home can increase your wellbeing

It is recognised in research that a positive relationship with nature is a vital component of wellbeing. This is why ‘biophilic design’- an approach to interior and architectural design that incorporates elements of nature is becoming increasingly important in our world.

The late Dr Stephen Kellert noted “The modern assumption that humans no longer need to affiliate with nature is revealed in the widespread practice of placing people in sensory deprived and artificial settings such as office buildings, hospitals, schools, and shopping centres with little, if any contact with natural forces and stimuli”.

It is well known that environmentally deprived environments foster fatigue, symptoms of disease and impaired performance. Kellert notes that “the very simple introduction of natural lighting, outside views and vegetation can result in enhanced health and productivity”.

Architecture is perhaps the field in which biophilic design has garnered the most interest. Apple Park in California by Sir Norman Foster is an exemplar of this practice.

The landscape and building form a seamless whole. The building is naturally ventilated, has the world’s largest panels of curved glass and contains 9,000 drought resistant trees.

Foster notes “my passionately held belief about the importance of these qualities and an architecture that embodies them have subsequently been proven through research, by the Harvard School of Public Health”.

So how do we incorporate this in our own homes? Homebuilding and Renovating magazine recently noted ways we could engage with biophilic design, ranging from flooding homes with natural light, the use of sympathetic organic colours, the use of

natural materials, such as timber, the installation of green roofs or living walls and maximising views of the outside.

In designing new homes and remodelling existing ones, making visual connection to the outside is vital to the enjoyment of a space.

We have seen a proliferation of large bi-fold doors becoming the norm for living kitchens, yet the flip side of this to south-facing rooms is overheating.

Perhaps external covered spaces adjoining such rooms is the answer to solar shading? Whatever happens, let’s embrace this philosophy of biophilia in our homes and design some of nature’s magic back into our life.”

Ric Blenkharn, architect, Bramhall Blenkharn Leonard.