Biophilic Design: What Is It And Why Is It Important?
Have you ever felt compelled to be in the presence of gorgeous natural elements? Maybe you just wanted to go for a walk in the park and felt instantly happy? This phenomenon isn’t merely coincidental. In fact, there is scientific proof that being surrounded by plants and greenery makes you happier. This is known as ‘biophilia’ or the desire to associate with other life forms.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design strengthens people’s ties to nature by incorporating natural elements and vegetation into daily life.
People are becoming more devoted to incorporating greenery into their daily lives now that there is abundant proof supporting the good mental, bodily, and environmental impacts of biophilia.
More and more buildings and compounds in London are adopting biophilic designs to keep nature close by, from brilliant green walls to dynamic green roofs.
Why Is Biophilic Design Important?
Biophilic design not only gives modern buildings a new lease of life, but it also has a direct impact on our health and well-being.
What do we mean by that? Nature positively affects the human cognitive system, which improves our physical and psychological well-being. It soothes and relaxes the brain, reducing the stress and anxiety we face every day. The biophilic design further that effect. It relieves mental stress and restores and rejuvenates emotional well-being. Living, breathing and working in green spaces lift up people’s moods, increase productivity, help them remain calm, and enhance their quality of life.
But the advantages don’t stop there. According to studies, crime, violence, and attacks have all fallen dramatically in greener neighbourhoods. Biophilic architecture also has significant environmental benefits, as it cuts carbon emissions while increasing biodiversity.
We are reducing crime rates in our community, lowering the occurrence of mental and physical disorders, and saving resources in the long term by opting for biophilic architecture.
What Does Biophilic Design Look Like?
You might be wondering how biophilic design appears in reality. It’s hard to overlook because it incorporates green or moss walls, rooftop gardens, and interior plant schemes adding vibrant colours to concrete cities. More and more architects are incorporating vegetation, as well as other natural elements such as fountains, atriums, and aquariums, into the inside and exterior of their projects. Biophilic design encompasses not only buildings but also streets, blocks, and neighbourhoods where trees and bushes are planted.
How Can You Contribute?
You don’t have to be an architect or urban planner to make your city greener. If you are interested in encouraging the implementation of biophilic design in your community, you can:
Join Urban Growth’s London workshops and help with all sorts of gardening activities.
Plant more greenery in your home.
Encourage friends and family to grow plants.
Bring greenery to your office space or organise a team building activity with Urban Growth.
Let’s make our city greener and healthier one plant at a time.