What is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic and well-being:

The affiliation with nature as an inherited human inclination is the theory of biophilia; Wilson popularized this term in (1984). Kellert and Calabrese (2015) advocated the practice of biophilic design. They defined it as a process that offers a sustainable design strategy that seeks to interconnect people and nature based on three experiences and twenty-four design attributes. Strengthening this connection with nature reduces stress and improves health and well-being.

Since people usually spend more time inside buildings than in exterior environments, implementing a biophilic interior design approach is particularly important. However, this subject is still being researched, and the related literature is somewhat limited. Admittedly, principles and design processes are open to multiple interpretations that lead to ambiguity. “While the goal of the biophilic design is clear, understanding it and its application is less so” (Vagal, 2020).

Biophilic design considers other life forms (Beatley, 2017) and works efficiently in different contexts (Orman, 2017). It consists of direct, indirect, and symbolic experiences that aid human-nature connections (Bewza, 2012). Characteristics include access to diverse space types with different spatial qualities (Mangone et al., 2017), varied surface textures, glass, natural view, natural materials, warm colors (Spivack and Rogelberg, 2010), plants, natural sunlight, ventilation, open spaces and windows (Gray and Birrell, 2014).