Clarence Murphy 
Biophilic design’s purpose is to connect people with nature in an enjoyable manner. It does not encompass desert or deep-sea habitats, microorganisms or alien species — just those parts of nature which enhance human health and productivity.
Greenery can be a quick and easy way to introduce biophilic elements into your home, yet there are numerous other options available such as natural textures, colors, and shapes that could bring biophilia into the mix.
Greenery
Plants are one of the easiest ways to incorporate biophilic design, adding both visual appeal and purifying air quality and improving acoustics. You can incorporate them in various ways – whether dedicating an entire wall to greenery, lining stairs with plants or installing a moss wallpaper – for maximum biophiliac effect.
Other than plants, living elements such as fish tanks, birdcages and outdoor animal feeders can provide a natural way to de-stress. Patterns which mimic nature – for instance wavelike or plant-like geometry can add an aesthetically pleasing element.
Parsley Health in NYC employs biophilic design principles by featuring plants, floor-to-ceiling windows that fill each room with natural light, and even a kinetic sculpture which moves with the sun throughout the day. This provides a sense of nature even for those without access to parks or windows in their home.
Natural Textures
Though greenery may come to mind first when considering biophilic design, biophilic architecture goes much further than just adding plants to a room. Biophilic architecture involves embracing all aspects of nature into your environment by including living elements such as pets, birdcages, fish tanks and even outdoor animal feeders into its design.
As part of this style of design, non-living yet organic evocations of natural environments such as patterns or textures that replicate those found in nature; wood furniture; or even LVT flooring with wood effect finishes are considered elements.
Other ways of incorporating nature into your home include increasing views of trees, sky or water and providing access to natural sunlight. These features have multiple benefits including regulating circadian rhythms and encouraging relaxation – these features could include glass walls, courtyards, roof terraces or exterior stairwells lined with plants as examples of natural additions to any space.
Natural Light
Biophilic design strategies like skylights, outdoor courtyards and exterior stairwells can provide people with direct connections to nature both visually and subtly. Other ways biophilic elements can be brought into a living space are adding textures such as wood or stone surfaces; colors which mimic those found naturally and shapes which resemble those in nature as examples.
Kellert notes that daylighting is one of the best ways to give buildings a more natural aesthetic, by carefully considering solar orientation, window style and glazing arrangements – architects can ensure occupants can take full advantage of natural lighting and views throughout their environment.
Researching the benefits of nature is providing more evidence that biophilic design is growing more and more popular, along with research highlighting its effects. Research into greenery, daylighting and natural ventilation also support biophilic design’s advancement through building verification systems such as WELL and LEED that require specific levels of nature interaction within spaces.
Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation can be utilized in various forms, from ceiling fans to open windows. Natural ventilation helps create an atmosphere of fluidity within a space while improving comfort and wellbeing, which is especially important when dealing with materials or chemicals that contribute to air pollution.
Plants are one of the easiest ways to add biophilic design into your home, not only visually appealing but also scientifically proven to increase productivity. One study discovered that even just looking at a plant could significantly enhance performance on tasks that require focus and concentration.
However, it’s essential to recognize that nature’s benefits depend on regular exposure, not occasional and fleeting experiences of nature. Occasional experiences of nature tend to have limited effects on wellbeing; hence why the biophilic design approach emphasizes various experiences tailored to local ecology and culture.
