Biophilic Design and Bio-Collaboration

Abstract

Background : Growing concerns on environmental degradation are urging the design communities to drastically re-evaluate our approach to the production and delivery of goods and services in order to be more socially and ecologically responsible. Among the numerous efforts of promoting sustainable progress, biophilic design - which encourages the integration of nature into our built environment as a strategy to re-establish a strong connection between humans and their natural environment as well as to improve human health and well-being - has played a significant role in the recent green architecture movement and sustainable urban development. While incorporating biophilia, the innate human need for nature, into design has been quite actively implemented by several leading architects and city planners, its potential applications in the production of mainstream industrial goods have been relatively unexplored so far. Methods : This paper examines the concept of biophilia and its relevance as a design strategy offering integrated solutions to our social, cultural, and ecological challenges. In discussing this close link between human and nature, recent scientific evidence supporting the physiological and psychological human needs for nature are examined; in particular, focusing on the positive influence that natural settings and live organisms have on our health, work productivity and living conditions. In addition, practical applications of biophilic design elements and attributes are analyzed through several examples of architectural and urban constructions; and current biophilic design cases within the field of industrial design are assessed as an indicator for future application. Results : Various research findings in environmental science and environmental psychology highlight the value of natural processes and the benefits of the biophilic design approach on human psychological and physiological well-being. Growing scientific evidence provides critical insights for possible improvement of current sustainable design strategies: solutions transitioning from mainly focusing on minimizing the negative impact on environment to embracing nature’s system and their ability to enhance the quality of human experience and well-being, and replace or complement common techniques for the production of goods and services. Conclusion : Expanding upon current definitions of sustainable design, biophilic design methodology demonstrates the potential as a sustainable design strategy allowing the design community to overcome the current superficiality of greening trends. However, as current examples of biophilic design are yet relatively limited, the conceptual framework for potential industrial design applications is to be more clearly defined through further investigations. In order to support the development of this new design strategy, multi-disciplinary collaborations between the scientific community and professional designers should be encouraged as well as integrated within the industrial design curriculum.