Green Term Defined: Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is possibly the most exciting thing that has happened to building design in my lifetime. This term suggests there is an inherit need for humans to connect to other living systems. We hear it on every home design we do – “we want lots of light, connection to the outside, capture the views.”
Biophilic design is the premise that we can learn from nature to create better buildings and build better buildings by connecting to nature. The term “biophilia” means “love of life or living systems.” Biophilic design connects us to nature.If we design buildings that are inspired by nature, they will be healthy, durable, and energy efficient, they may also be biodegradable, non-toxic, and perhaps restorative. According to an article by Fernando Pages Ruiz on EcoBuilding Pulse there are six elements of biophilic design:
1. environmental features
2. natural shapes and forms
3. natural patterns and processes
4. light and space
5. place-based relationships
6. evolved human relationship to nature
