Nature in the Space
1. Visual Connection with Nature
A visual connection with elements of nature can lower stress and improve overall attitude and happiness. This view could include naturally occurring elements or simulated/constructed elements such as a green wall, artwork, video, or aquarium. The amount of biodiversity and overall quality of the view increases the impact of this pattern.
2. Non-Visual Connection With Nature
Complex ambient conditions that bring sounds, textures, aromas, and tastes of nature into the space positively impact our cognitive performance and mental health. Typical uses of this pattern may include flowing water, sounds of nature, textured materials, and breezes.
3. Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
Momentary unpredictable movement provides a brief and welcome distraction. These interruptions allow for short mental breaks and support our physiological restoration, reducing physical discomfort, eye strain, and headaches. Non-rhythmic sensory stimuli might include moving clouds, the movement of bees, dappled light, billowing materials, or an unpredictable broadcast of noise.
4. Thermal / Airflow Variability
Variability in temperature, humidity, and airflow mimic natural environments. Providing for these in a space through individual control improves comfort, concentration, and productivity. Operable windows and HVAC controls are common ways to achieve this effect.
5. Presence of Water
Water can impact our sense of sight, touch, and sound. It can evoke feelings of peace, lowering our heart rate and blood pressure while improving our concentration and memory. Visual access to bodies of water or access to other sources of water such as aquariums, fountains, or water walls can fulfill this feeling.
6. Dynamic and Diffused Light
Variations in light intensity, shadows that change over time, and the changing color of sunlight throughout the day, have a positive impact on our circadian rhythm. Body temperature, heart rate, and melatonin production can be affected impacting our sleep quality, mood, and alertness. As architects, we frequently include skylights and shading elements on the exterior of the building that help bring daylight deep into the space from multiple angles while reducing glare.
7. Connection to Natural Systems
Nature demonstrates seasonal and temporal changes that help us feel connected to the greater whole and cycles of life. This impact can create a shift in perception and enhance positive health. Our landscape architecture team, is intentional about selecting specific plant types to ensure that at least one plant will be blooming throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Plantings are selected to provide differing textures and colors throughout the seasons and the landscape has been designed to be left in place for seasonal winter interest.
Natural Analogues
The next set of biophilic elements evokes nature using shapes, patterns, and materials.
8. Biomorphic Forms and Patterns
Elements contoured or patterned to identify with those in nature feel interesting and comfortable. We have a visual preference for these patterns, which reduce stress and enhance concentration. These patterns often appear in buildings on carpets, fabrics, fences, wall paneling, and other finishes and details.
9. Material Connection with Nature
Using materials that have a connection to nature such as wood, stone, leather, grasses, etc. increases the feeling of comfort within a space. Further, a natural color palette, particularly green, positively impacts creativity. The use of wood is one of our favorite ways to incorporate this element into design.
10. Complexity and Order
Where overly complex design environments may cause stress, limited complexity can create a lack of stimulation. Striking the right balance of complexity and order in a composition, inspired by the complexity of patterns found in nature, conveys a sense of order and can reduce stress. This sense of complexity is easy to incorporate into interior finishes but can also show up in the overall structure and façade of a building, and even its massing.
Nature of the Space
Finally, the last set of biophilic elements describes the spatial relationships in nature and relates them to architecture.
11. Prospect
An unimpeded view into the distance lends a sense of safety and control, which is especially helpful for new and unfamiliar spaces. This view reduces stress, boredom, and fatigue. Open floor plans, elevated viewing planes, balconies, and transparent materials can all provide a sense of prospect within a space.
12. Refuge
A place for withdrawal from the bustle of activity provides feelings of safety, rest, and healing. Refuge spaces should feel unique from the surrounding environment and be easily accessible. A sense of refuge can often take the form of booths and nooks, covered patios, dropped ceilings, and lower light color temperature or brightness.
13. Mystery
Mystery provided within a space taps into our need to explore and understand. Providing veiled views, small peeks into other areas, or winding circulation paths can all create a pleasurable experience. Common features that create a sense of mystery include peek-a-boo windows, curving paths of circulation, and translucent glass.
14. Risk / Peril
A sense of danger, when coupled with trusted safety elements, results in a strong dopamine or pleasure response. Short doses of dopamine support memory, problem-solving, and motivation. Easy methods to incorporate measured risk into the building include atrium spaces, glass guardrails, and floor-to-ceiling glass facades.
Summary
Civic buildings stand as pillars of communities, and as architects and designers, we aim to ensure that they support the health and well-being of the community. Although the science is still emerging, using biophilic design can draw on the obvious connection we have to nature and the positive impact nature has on our health. For our team, designing healthy buildings means supporting healthy communities.
