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28-08-2018 - Biophilic Design Principles - Part 2

As promised, here is the second part of my blog about biophilic design principles.

5) "natural ventilation" (Faludi, J. 2004).

Natural ventilation is an important biophilic design principle because, as Christopher Day (2002) writes, fresh air invigorates us and stuffy rooms negatively affect our ability to concentrate. Day states that fresh air and ventilation are vital to health, with too little ventilation causing serious health problems, and that fresh and healthy air is good for the soul as well as the body.

Judith Stewart-Pollack (2006) describes natural ventilation as; "movement of air, changes in air temperature, airbourne scents" She also states that humans don't thrive in sealed environments;

"The movement of fresh air through a space changes everything. It alters our perception of temperature, changes a static environment into one of subtle movement, and brings the world into our homes through scents carried on the breeze.” (Stewart-Pollack, J. 2006).

The above diagram shows one way of achieving natural ventilation; using stack ventilation. (Image from www.cppwind.com)

6) "a direct physical connection to nature from interior spaces" (Faludi, J. 2004).

This can be achieved by using natural materials internally which Christopher Day (2002) says brings harmony to a building. Alain De Botton (2007) and Proshansky et al. (1976) state that architecture suggests behaviours that should take place within it whereas the natural environment does not as nature is supportive; so a link between the built and natural environment helps to create a balance required by humans.

 Judith Stewart-Pollack states that this connection can be achieved by; "integration of and free-flowing movement between interior and exterior spaces, visual and/or physical access to wildlife." (Stewart-Pollack, J. 2006) She also states that;

            "By integrating the natural elements of the site into the form of the architecture itself…Visual and physical barriers between indoor rooms and outdoor spaces dissolve into a mosaic of inside-outside spaces.

            Distant views link us to the greater natural order of the site, while nearby nature links us to the intricacies and immediate sensory pleasures of the site." (Stewart-Pollack, J. 2006).

The above image shows a way in which a direct physical connection with nature from internal spaces can be achieved by creating a semi-internal nature space. (Image from www.designdaily.us)

7) "direct visual access to nature from interior spaces.” (Faludi, J. 2004).

Nature views are an important principle of biophilic design and have been shown in the literature review to improve student performance, cognitive functioning and patient recovery rates.

Judith Stewart-Pollack suggests achieving this connection by including; "material connections between interiors and nature." (Stewart-Pollack, J. 2006). She states that sensory connection to nature are important because;

            "…in much the same way as sitting near the ocean, walking through the forest, climbing a mountain, or working in the garden. It is not a passive experience, but rather one that reminds us every moment that we are alive and a part of the life of the planet.” (Stewart-Pollack, J. 2006).

The above images shows how nature views are achieved at Massachusetts General hospital. (Image from www.massgeneral.org)

            We can add to the above list the following principle discussed by Judith Heerwagen and Betty Hase, and cited by Steven Bradley (2012);

8) Biomimicry. The use of nature imagery and nature representations. Biomimicry involves emulating nature in many ways; Heerwagen and Hase suggest:

            "∙ Add depth and 3-dimensionality – Nature is not 2-dimensional

            ∙ Use rough lines instead of perfectly straight lines – Little in the  

              natural world is perfectly straight

            ∙ Choose organic shapes over geometric shapes – geometric shapes

             are man-made, organic shapes are natural

            ∙ Use naturally inspired colour schemes – analogous colour schemes

             are often found in nature. Choose earth tones or shades of blue to

             mimic sky and water.

            ∙ Use golden sections and other grids based on nature

            ∙ Add variety to your designs – Nature is rife with variety

            ∙ Make use of fractals – Fractals are complex shapes defined

             mathematically and are often found in nature” (Bradley, S. 2012).

Judith Stewart-Pollack expands on this by saying;

            “...based upon the science of Biomimicry introduced in 2002 by science writer Janine Bengus. “The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and, most important, what lasts here on Earth…After 3.8 billion years of research and development, failures are fossils, and what surrounds us is the secret to survival."

            By examining and seeking to understand the forms, processes, and patterns of nature, biophilic design is able to solve naturally some of the challenges we encounter when designing sustainable built environments." (Stewart-Pollack, J. 2006).

Judith Heerwagen and Betty Hase (2001) provide a table of biophilic design principles in their book Building Biophilia, which is set out below;

(Heerwagen, J. and Hase, B. 2001)

            Heerwagen and Hase's principles seem to be based more on the Savannah hypothesis than the other principles listed before. The Savannah hypothesis states that:

"…people should prefer to be in savannah like environments because in our evolutionary past they provided a superior resource base compared to the forest or desert biomes. Key characteristics of the savannah include:

            ∙ Scattered clusters of trees that provide shelter from the sun and for

             protection from terrestrial predators

            ∙ Long-distance views that afforded surveillance for predator detection

             and avoidance

            ∙ Even ground cover for efficient movement across terrain

            ∙ A rich diversity of plant and animal species

            ∙ Rock outcropping for surveillance or sleeping

            ∙ Seasonal variation in fresh water availability due to rain patterns."

 (Heerwagen, J. 2010)

There will be more about biophilic design and its use and importance in future posts.