Biophilic Design: Creating a Connection to Nature in Buildings - Essay Sample

Introduction

Biophilic designs are architectural elements used in the construction of buildings to increase occupant's connection to the natural system. Biophilic designs are accomplished through the use of technologies that allow natural conditions of nature inside a building. The natural conditions elements include the air, sunlight, and warmth inside the building. The term biophilia means the love of life, and it was first used by Edward Wilson back in the year 1984 (Gullikson, 2010). He asserted that as human, we have a natural affinity to nature. It is an evolutionary affinity which human search to satisfy day in day out. The biological association is a drive for personal preservation.

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Attributes of Biophilic Design

A key attribute of biophilic design is visual connection with the natural environment. The objective of visual contact with nature is achieved through the creation of spaces such as windows, doors, and roofing, which allows for visible areas. (Beatley, 2011).The spaces of visual connection should be of the size, which is dependent on the number of occupants of a building. The direction of the spaces should be able to allow for the occupants to be able to see areas where there is a big exposer of nature. Regardless of the building, the visual connection of the occupants with nature increases their comfort.

Another attribute of biophilic design that should be put into consideration in a building is sunlight availability. Sunlight availability is made possible by leaving off some open places in a building. The openings should be left in the direction of where the sunsets. Sunlight availability in a building makes a house naturally warm and comfortable for the occupants. Also, air availability is made possible in a castle by having some open places which face in the direction where there is plantation outside the building. Air could also be made available in the building by having some flower farms inside the building. The availability of some plantations inside the structure allows the occupants an opportunity to breathe in the fresh air.

Biophilic architectural design also depends on the availability of water. Water could be made available in a building through a suitable penetration of pipe connecting water taps in every room of the house (Ryan, Browning, Clancy, Andrews, & Kallianpurkar, 2014). The importance of water is that it helps house occupants quench their thirst and also helps in cooling a building. Moreover, the consideration of water in construction should be reviewed by checking where a house is constructed. A structure built near water masses allows occupants to connect with water when outside the building visually.

Moreover, biographic design of green spaces is an important component of buildings. Green spaces do not only increase the aesthetic value of a building but also improve the aeration of a building. Green spaces create relaxing areas for the occupants of a building. Buildings with green spaces have a more excellent selling value.

Another aspect of biophilic design to consider when constructing a building is the availability of domestic animal life. The availability of animal life both inside and outside a building increases its biophilic elements. The animal life could be either aquatic or terrestrial. Examples of domestic animals that could be in a building are a cat or a dog. Examples of animal life outside the building are fish in a fish pond or an aquarium. Domestic animals increase life both inside and outside the house.

Importance of Biophilic Design

One of the values of biophilic design is that it increases space in buildings. A building that is constructed with keen observation of biophilic models has more area compared to one that does not. More space is created as designers try to increase the house's inside access to air, sunlight, and regulated outside moisture. More space in a building increases utility for occupants. Spacious houses allow occupants to move around and interact with each other more easily.

Biophilic designs help reduce the stress level of the occupants. Reducing stress makes occupants of a building more productive. If a building is an office of a company, Workers become more resourceful. If a building is a home, reduced stress levels make interrelationships among the occupants smooth. For a home where biophilic features have been installed, there is less friction among the occupants because of low-stress levels. For hotels where biophilic features have been installed, more customers come in because when in the hotel, the stay becomes one that rejuvenates them.

Furthermore, occupants of buildings which have biophilic architectural designs have enhanced creativity. Enhanced creativity makes companies more profitable. Companies make more profits because their staff can solve business problems faster. Children raised from homes where biophilic features have been installed perform better in school. They have excellent performance because of the environment they experience at home while doing their home works. Environments that enhance creativity, hotels that have biophilic features installed are more profit, and they are more profitable because customers keep coming back. Customers come back to these hotels because of an enriching environment that promotes relaxation.

The biophilic design also enhances the mood of the occupants. The mood is a temporary state of mind and feeling. Biophilic models improve the spirit of the occupants. The occupants could come in with an attitude of anger, but after a short stay in a building that has installed biophilic designs, their mood improves. Homes, where biophilic models are introduced, have reduced relationship breakdowns - businesses where biophilic designs have been installed. Employees experience a better feeling throughout the day. There is increased profitability in businesses where biophilic models have been installed.

Lastly, biophilic designs help increase the healing speed of sick occupants. Patients who are treated in hospitals with biophilic plans heal faster. This saves patients money they would otherwise spend on medication. Also, patients are saved money they would spend as consultation fees in hospitals. Hospitals with biophilic design are more profitable because they get more customers, more customers because more and more patients visit them because of the efficiency of services.

Indirect and Direct Experience of Nature

There are two kinds of biophilic design dimensions: direct experience of the natural system and indirect knowledge of the natural environment. The idea of the two aspects of biophilia was introduced by the award-winning pioneer biophilic designer, Stephen Kellert. He came up with principles of biophilia which show respect for the environment and also creates a multisensory experience for the occupants. The ideas which define Kellert biophilic framework include features such as light.

Light provides well-being and enrichment for the occupants. View in a house can be increased through the use of reflective materials, glass, skylights, and atriums. Light in a building enhances natural patterns and forms. Light causes movement of shadows inside a building. According to Kellert, architectures of a building should increase features that allow penetration of natural lights inside a building.

Additionally, Kellert introduced the idea of natural landscape, which is done by creating a self-sustaining ecosystem into a building. Because of the history of human evolution, people have a higher affinity to savannah-like aspects. (Tracada, 2016).This is because savannah-like landscapes show a richness of space and an abundance of natural life. Connection with this kind of environment can be made through Vistas and interactions such as outdoor gardens. Landscape like this is known to increase occupants' satisfaction

Further, the third direct natural element Kellert proposed was fire, which this is a hard element to install in a building. But if incorporated correctly, light provides color and warmth to the building. Color and heat in a structure make it appealing to the occupants. It increases the comfort of a building. Fire can be introduced in a castle by installing strategic fireplaces in specific points inside.

Kellert also introduced the concept of indirect experience of nature. Indirect nature means the representation of life with the use of images. Indirect descriptions of nature include Natural materials. The use of natural materials provides for the purpose of natural fabrics, Leather, and furnishing. The use of natural materials in a building can be mentally stimulating - mental stimulation invokes responses from the occupants of a building.

Additional, indirect experience of nature is the use of natural colors. Natural colors are also known as earth tones; these colors are often found in natural materials. They include color brown, green, and blue. When used in a building, these colors bring in natural tones. Regardless brighter colors in a building should be used sparingly; this is because research found that the use of bright colors in a building can be distracting to the occupants.

Images are the third form of indirect experience of nature Kellert recommended. Models could be implemented in a building through the use of photos, Sculptures, Videos, and paints. Images have been proved to be emotionally fulfilling for occupants. Also, images are intellectually satisfying for occupants of buildings.

Natural shapes are also a form of indirect experience of nature. Natural contours can be achieved through architectural designs and nature-based patterns on facades. Buildings are arranged to serve a particular purpose. Natural structures in a building take the shape of plants, caves rock formations, and animal bodies. The use could make natural forms of original materials of nature or improvised materials. Natural shapes and comfort to a building and they are also mentally stimulating for the occupants.

Additionally, cultural attachment to a place is another form of indirect experience of nature. Creating an artistic concept of a home in a building increases human connection and also enhances the element of cultural connection. (Joye, 2007). A creative idea is done by including an area of geography and ecological history into a building. Cultural attachment of a house is increased by promoting the use of Flora and fauna. The environmental identity of a home increases the comfort of the occupants

Further, Mobility is an additional indirect biophilic design. Mobility is the availability of space in a building, which increases the ability of people to move around. Movement increases the sense of security for the occupants of a building. Occupants feel safe in a house with Mobility because, in the event of an emergency, they would be able to run to safety. The Mobility of a home is enhanced by increasing the number of windows and doors space inside.

Finally, an indirect experience of nature in a building can be increased by the installation of organized complexity. Organized complexity is the orderly construction of architectural designs. The concept of organized complexity aimed to stimulate the need for controlled variability. Controlled variability is achieved in buildings through change, details of the design, and change of a building, coordinated plans in a building Increase its aesthetic value. It improves the comfort of a building.

There are a variety of examples of buildings that are constructed in biophilic designs. They include The University of Texas at Dallas; the building of the school has plans of full, unfiltered daylight flooding classrooms. The university also has views of the grass, water, and trees on the outdoor grounds. These biophilic designs promote students' experience in the school environment. The models improve...