Biophilia and Architecture – Benefits for health and well-being.

Biophilic design is based on the belief that humans have an innate connection to nature, and that by bringing elements of the natural world into our built environment, we can improve our health, happiness, and overall quality of life.

“Biophilic design is the deliberate attempt to translate an understanding of humans’ affinity with natural systems and processes — known as biophilia — into the design of the built environment.”

This definition is from Stephen R. Kellert (1943–2016),

The six principles of biophilic design:

• Environmental characteristics.
• Natural shapes and forms.
• Natural patterns and processes.
• Light and space.
• Place-based relationships.
• Evolved relationships between Humans and Nature.

What is the difference between biophilic architecture and green architecture?

Biophilic Architecture versus Sustainable Architecture…

Biophilic architecture emphasizes the human connection with nature, while sustainable architecture focuses on minimizing environmental impact.

What is the concept of architecture based on the 5 elements of nature?

The 5 elements of nature provide a comprehensive technique for design and real estate development: earth, water, fire, air, and space. These elements can help architects and real estate developers create buildings that are aesthetically pleasing and promote peace and well-being.

A brief evolutionary history of biophilia

Biophilia developed during the Paleolithic period. For approximately 95% of its evolutionary history, humans survived by adopting a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Thus, humans perfected a set of adaptive responses to various wild environments—mainly the savanna (Orians and Heerwagen, 1992)—with the goal of recognizing the quality of an environment in terms of resources and shelter. Some of the environmental preferences incorporated into Biophilic Design are based on innate learning rules derived from the survival of our ancestors and still today constitute the primary and deepest core of our biophilia (Berto et al., 2015a). After the invention of agriculture, about 14,000 years ago (Arranz-Otaegui et al., 2018), most of the human population became sedentary. Humans began to distinguish the domestic environment from the wild environment. Their shelters became permanent, and the first human settlements formed—villages, then towns, and cities (Diamond, 1998). During this period, which covers approximately 5% of the evolutionary history of the human genus, the biophilia structured in the Paleolithic was adapted to new cultural demands.

During the Neolithic period, life in villages required a level of socialization that imposed a physical closeness previously unknown, to which we have never fully adapted. This explains, for example, why many people seek outdoor spaces in nature where human presence is rare.

Finally, in the last 250 years—a period irrelevant from an evolutionary perspective, representing less than 0.2% of human evolutionary history—humans have developed a tendency to permanently and irreversibly transform their environment. During this time, human settlements have gradually become larger and denser.

Compared to the wild environments in which humans evolved, villages and cities—now home to 53% of the world’s population (World Bank, 2018)—are characterized by a lack of green spaces, large crowds, and artificial lighting (Beatley, 2011). The lack of natural stimuli atrophies biophilia (Wilson, 1993; Berto and Barbiero, 2017a).

After the Industrial Revolution, our separation from Nature became even more pronounced. This distancing was so severe that many people feel the need to restore their biophilia by immersing themselves in Nature during their free time.

Nature in space

One of the most prominent ways to integrate biophilic elements into interior designs is through the use of greenery, water, and fire. We believe that the benefits of green spaces through the incorporation of plants indoors are limitless. However, in terms of biophilic design, plants must be carefully selected according to climatic conditions, geographical characteristics, and availability to ensure that the interior authentically integrates with its surrounding environment. Several studies have also shown that seeing, hearing, or touching water reduces stress, increases calmness and concentration, and lowers heart rate, leading architects to install water walls, aquariums, miniature lakes, fountains, and streams.

See how MJARC prioritizes human well-being and the relationship between nature and the built environment through our project portfolio.