Did you know that humans have an innate connection to nature and living things? Someone can be living in a high-rise apartment building in a “concrete jungle” without room for a garden and that can be quite disappointing. What do they do? They put a pot plant here, a creeper there simply because they just need some green! Biophilia – love of nature is what it is folks. Biophilic design is just what the doctor ordered, it incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, views of nature, and other natural elements into our living spaces and it has an overall calming effect.
Biophilic design is on the rise, with its roots dating back to the 60s and 70s where an architect Frank Lloyd Wright was keen on harmonizing structures with their natural surroundings. Overtime, people began to unearth the psychological benefits of incorporating natural elements in buildings and the research and appreciation of nature continues to this day.
Let’s look at some elements of biophilic design.
- You can start off by incorporating natural materials into structures in your home.
Wood is an integral part of biophilic design. It is so versatile it is great for flooring and it also does wonders on ceilings. Pine wood, for example, has a visible grain pattern and natural knots that add texture and visual interest to ceilings. Stones make excellent components of walls, pavements and rockeries – with good workmanship they can mimic patterns found in nature and can have great visual appeal. We all know about the straw that broke the camel’s back but in biophilic design every bit of straw is appreciated! Straw is a natural material that can be woven and fashioned into a plethora of stellar items you can use to furnish your home: mats, coasters, chairs and it would be robbery to exclude the cooling benefits of using straw as roofing material.
Indoor fountains are another alluring biophilic fixture, the sight and the gurgling sound of the water can be quite relaxing.
- You can also introduce plants to your living space.
Not all plants thrive in pots indoors, select suitable plants such as pothos, spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants as these tend to do well indoors. Consult your local nursery and landscapers too to get an idea of which plants will complement your home.
Indoor plants are the unsung heroes of biophilic design. They improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis and some plants like snake plant can remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. Plants are good humidity regulators and how can we ignore the fact that the mere presence of greenery elevates the appearance of a room. There is a positive correlation between plants in a living space and psychological well-being. Tending to plants – watering them and weeding them can reduce stress levels and really makes you feel one with nature.
Millennium Heights apartments come with a balcony with a clear line of sight with purpose-built pots for plants. All the apartments feature large verandahs/balconies, some with beautiful views and space for outdoor furniture and potted plants in order to effectively integrate biophilic design into your home.
- Maximise natural light.
We should not only be looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel but we need to design our homes in such a way that we maximise natural light. Be mindful of the sun’s path and ensure that your house is strategically constructed so that you never have areas that are in perpetual darkness. The living room and your workspaces need to get maximum sunlight and this can have tremendous benefits – mood enhancement, vitamin D production and increased productivity. Having natural light can also lighten the burden on your pocket because you spend less on artificial light. Large windows and floor-to-ceiling glass and skylights are excellent options if you want more light in your home. It is an added plus if these windows give you a breath-taking view of the natural environment outside!
“Whatever helps you sleep at night!” Natural light surely has restorative and calming effects, it helps regulate the body’s internal clock and long story short it helps maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle, enhancing your quality of sleep.
When picking furniture pieces and fixtures make sure to choose light colours with reflective surfaces to get the most out of natural light. Also take care to organize the layout strategically so that shadows are not cast by the fittings and darken the room in broad daylight.
Biophilic design is our saving grace in the modern age where urban areas are growing exponentially and concrete and tar threaten the tranquility and beauty of our natural world. WestProp’s estates have natural spaces integrated within the confines of the gates for the living pleasure of the residents. For example, Pokugara and Millennium Heights both have access to Millennium Park, where a shimmering lake and landscaped greenery provide a soothing escape from city life. WestProp’s The Hills Lifestyle Estate is 82% greenery and natural fixtures. These green spaces provide convenient, beautiful spaces for residents to live and play.
If you are not a resident in WestProp’s communities, the next forested area could be hundreds of kilometres away but your home could have a touch of nature that tides you over until your next road-trip. Another benefit of biophilic design is that it is somewhat sustainable – with emphasis on natural materials which are ultimately biodegradable and do not release toxins in production. Biophilic design makes being at home a breath of fresh air.
