Biophilic design reveals the deep and undeniable connection between human beings and nature. Although these elements have distanced themselves over time, the biological predisposition that leads us to seek ways to strengthen this bond remains. Biophilic design arises from this inherent human need, an interior style that balances human-made elements with the beauty of the natural world.

The appreciation for this connection has been growing day by day, leading people to understand that nature does not have to be something distant, restricted to outdoor spaces.

Discover, in this blog article, how this connection can be brought into your projects, creating healthier and more balanced spaces.

Benefits of Biophilic Design

Integrating nature into our living environment offers numerous benefits. Its presence contributes to emotional well-being, reducing stress and increasing productivity, and stimulating creativity by creating tranquil and inspiring environments. By taking advantage of natural light, for example, we not only promote sustainability but also cultivate healthier spaces, as its presence regulates the circadian rhythm. Biophilic architecture also values air quality, often adopting strategies to improve space ventilation and ensure the constant renewal of oxygen.

Biophilic design is particularly recommended for corporate spaces where people remain for long periods of time. Exposure to this type of environment has a positive impact on mental health and the overall well-being of human beings, contributing to the happiness of workers. However, it is also a phenomenal concept to implement in your home, bringing these same benefits to the domestic environment.

Sensory Impact of Nature in the Environment

The presence of natural elements is a way to gently awaken our senses through interior design, transforming any space into a sensory experience. Each natural detail is chosen intentionally, inviting silent contemplation, making the space not just inhabited, but truly lived.

Sight: Colors that calm and balance

The colors found in nature — greenish tones, earthy browns, soft blues — convey a sense of tranquility and stability, encouraging anyone to momentarily leave their worries behind and contemplate the room’s decor.

Touch: Textures of the earth

Surfaces composed of natural elements such as wood, stone, linen, or organic fibers add a tactile dimension to the space. The choice of these materials creates a sense of authenticity, making the home more comfortable and inviting.

Smell: Aromas that transport

The sense of smell is intimately connected to our emotions. The use of scented candles, home fragrances, flowers, incense, or essential oils — such as lavender, eucalyptus, or cedar — awakens pleasant sensations and transports us to distant memories.

Hearing: Sounds that soothe

Nature’s sounds offer an almost therapeutic effect. Incorporating water features and ambient music with rain or birdsong softens urban noise, promoting introspection and relaxation.

Each element communicates with our natural instincts differently, inviting us to slow down and rediscover the harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The Application of Biophilic Design

Nature in the Space – This consists of integrating natural elements into interior design, taking into account how we can physically interact with nature within an enclosed space. This can involve, for example, variations in temperature, natural air circulation, soft and dynamic lighting, windows with views of gardens, among other possibilities.

Natural Analogues – This is based on the use of elements that resemble nature, although they are not of natural origin, such as biomorphic shapes and patterns, works of art, or the balance of abstract concepts like complexity and order. These elements have an indirect connection to nature, arousing the same sense of well-being offered by the natural world.

Nature of the Space – This is characterized by the way we relate to the space around us as human beings. Humans have a natural urge to explore beyond what is immediately within their reach, nurturing a fascination with the unknown. Elements that evoke mystery, unexpected revelations, or a slight sense of risk awaken our curiosity, immediately capturing our attention.

The Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

When we think of a conventional airport, the image that comes to mind is of a fast-paced and stressful space, filled with endless lines and monotonous corridors that lead us to our terminal – ultimately, we think of a mere place of transit. Among countless airports that seem like replicas of each other, Changi Airport stands out, having embraced biophilia to such an extent that it granted the title of “Garden City” to the city of Singapore.

 

“Jewel weaves together an experience of nature and the marketplace, dramatically asserting the idea of the airport as an uplifting and vibrant urban center, engaging travelers, visitors and residents, and echoing Singapore’s reputation as ‘The City in the Garden’.”

 Moshe Safdie –

Biophilic Design at Home

In this article, we invite you to open the doors of your home to biophilic design and let the serene and inviting energy of the natural world spread through every room of your house. Whether you intend to go all in and fully embrace this concept or just introduce discreet touches, we present some of the solutions we include in our projects to meet the preferences of the residents.

Viseu Residence

In the Viseu Residence, the presence of biophilic design is felt right in the entrance hall, welcoming its inhabitants with a fresh and vibrant energy. Beneath the staircase leading to the bedrooms, diverse plant species enrich the environment’s color palette with varying shades of green, strengthening the connection to nature.

The console table in this space exudes a natural energy, decorated with dried branches, green foliage in vases, and small bird figures that seem to await someone’s daily return.