The term “biophilia” is literally defined as a “love of life or living systems”. Biophilic Design is the hot new trend sweeping the design movement for 2020 that takes a strategic approach to tapping into nature in the built environment by incorporating human design and natural elements in a way that doesn’t seem manufactured. Fifty-four perent of the world’s population lives in an urban environment and by 2050, that percentage is estimated to increase to 66 percent – translating into roughly two-thirds of the world’s population. As a result, humans now spend about 93 percent of their time indoors separated from natural elements. With such a diminished connection to nature and the ever increasing pressure on urban space, we have less opportunity to recuperate our mental and physical energy. The World Health Organization expects stress related illnesses, such as mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease, to be the two largest contributors to disease by 2020 so the hype surrounding Biophilic Design has strong merit.
Bringing nature into the built environment by incorporating elements of the outdoors into our interiors has been demonstrated through research to reduce stress, blood pressure levels, heart rates and dramatically improving overall.
Bringing nature into the built environment by incorporating elements of the outdoors into our interiors has been demonstrated through research to reduce stress, blood pressure levels, heart rates and dramatically improving overall well-being.
2020 is all about getting back to nature. This is where some very exciting strategies come into play, such as the utilization of natural materials, live plants and integrating images of nature. But it’s about more than just putting a potted plant in your office – it’s about weaving our ecosystem into our surroundings and it stems from the theory that innately, human beings are drawn towards nature.
Bedrooms and bathrooms are transformed into ethereal spaces created by using rich earthy elements including mixed metals, wood, and stone.
Features like lamps that adjust their intensity according to natural circadian rhythms, introducing natural light from windows and skylights, decor that integrates soothing palettes and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and using water sources as fountains, ponds and water features, that can be seen, heard and touched are all elements of the trend.
