BIOPHILIC ARCHITECTURE & BIOPHILIC DESIGN: DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES
The ambition for Singapore when it got independence in 1965 was to establish a true garden city – the vision was a plethora of natural elements incorporated into the everyday built environment.
The architectural design strategies taken to fulfil this vision is informed by biophilic principles. More than just a design buzzword, biophilic design principles and the theory behind it are rooted in science with tangible benefits on human health.
Keep on reading to find out why GreenTurf advocates for the use of biophilic design wherever possible in our exterior and interior architecture.
Understanding Biophilic Design
‘Biophilia’ comes from the Greek word ‘philia,’ which means ‘love of’. It literally translates to “love of life” or “love of living things.”
Humans have an innate and natural desire to connect with nature. Researchers believe this is one of the reasons humans have prospered as a species, as it has aided us in finding the best opportunities within our natural environment.
Biophilic design uses this human connection to the natural world and applies it to our built environment. But there’s more to integrating nature into an existing building than random potted plants around the space.
A truly biophilic space reinforces and integrates natural elements that link with the overall context of the built environment. In such a green space, these elements work together to immerse us into a complementing, reinforcing, and interrelated whole.
Artificial Greenery to Replicate the Natural World?
When you think of natural materials, you’d probably associate them with live greenery. After all, it makes sense that natural plants would complement biophilic design the most, right?
The problem with live greenery is that it’s not always a feasible solution for most of us who have hectic lives. Not all of us can book frequent trips to the outdoors or maintain a home garden.
Furthermore, if you intend to go the route of live plants and grass for your space, there are a whole other myriad of concerns, such as frequent upkeep and maintenance costs. Your area also needs to get enough sunlight to keep live plants thriving.
Luckily, nature isn’t the only way you can benefit from biophilia.
Two major thought leaders in biophilic design have categorised positive and effective biophilic design into three categories:
Direct Experience of Nature
- Light
- Air
- Water
- Plants
- Animals
- Natural Landscapes and Ecosystems
- Weather
Indirect Experience of Nature
- Images of Nature
- Natural Materials, such as our gallery of artificial and preserved plants
- Natural Colors
- Cultural and Ecological Attachment to Place
- Simulating Natural Light and Air
- Naturalistic Shapes and Forms
- Evoking Nature
- Information Richness
- Age, Change, and the Patina of Time
- Natural Geometries and Organic Shapes
- Biomimicry
Experience of Space and Place
- Prospect and Refuge
- Organized Complexity
- Integration of Parts to Wholes
- Transitional Spaces
GreenTurf utilises the latter two in all of our biophilic architecture.
Biophilic Design Principles
Our goal with biophilic design strategies is to:
- Expand spaces in cities with natural materials to create indirect contact with nature
- Deliver happiness via natural systems that complement modern society
- Build sustainability for stakeholders and the Earth
- Improve the economic benefits of your investment by maximising the natural features of your space
As designers of spaces where humans function, how can we recreate the natural world to reap the benefits of biophilic design for our well-being?
Artificial Plants that look like Natural Materials
Designing the ANTI-OFFICE:
“We wanted to challenge conventional looking office spaces by envisioning the biophilic spaces we create as a backdrop for life to happen. Biophilic design should help create a variety of experiences that contribute to the overall well-being or mental health of the occupants.
Due to the lack of natural lighting, artificial grass and plants were used to imitate a direct experience with nature. The living walls and lifelike grass help foster ecological attachment to reduce stress.”
Incorporating greenery is one of the most effective ways to encourage human-nature connection in biophilic design.
Plants boast multiple health benefits; they can help you relax, feel more comfortable, improve your mental health, and heal faster.
In busy, space-starved Singapore, GreenTurf brings the natural world to you via an array of vernacular architecture and biophilic interior design that smoothly fits into natural landscapes and modern buildings.
Our collection of artificial yet incredibly lifelike replicas of the natural habitat allows you to elevate your interior space or outdoor space with virtually zero maintenance. Our products are designed to accurately mimic natural patterns of its organic forms for a positive biophilic experience.
Whether you’re looking for green walls, green roofs, green buildings, or fuss-free outdoor spaces, we guarantee we can bring nature into your life.
Incorporating Multi-Sensory Natural Elements
Finding ways to connect to the richness of living systems in and around the built environment is critical. This can go beyond the visual.
That’s why we’ve harnessed the power of petrichor to tantalise your olfactory senses. Using natural essential oils, we’ve created Green Therapy to take biophilic design to the next level.
Combined with the visual and tactile properties of our products, we create multi-sensory green buildings and spaces with a strong connection to nature.
This allows us to reap the proven benefits of biophilic design, such as improved mental and physical health, lower blood pressure and an overall positive impact on users of the space.
Use of Natural Light and Space
Biophilic design is also influenced by exposure to natural light and natural ventilation. These features contribute to completing the ambience.
If your space is constantly bathing in sunlight, opt for a skylight or large windows to maximise contact with nature.
The goal is to enhance what your space already has.
For example, outdoor spaces already benefit from having natural airflow but may prove to be too sunny. A contextual biophilic design would increase shady areas with plants and trees without limiting the breeziness.
Embrace Biophilic Design with GreenTurf
Want to learn more about biophilic design and how it can elevate your space?
Request for our catalogue or a no-obligations consultation with us today!
GreenTurf brings urbanites closer to nature so that they can work, play and live better. The advantages of biophilic design are waiting for you.
Find out how you can get your very own green space here.
