by Kara Murray
Partner, Alair St. Albert
Earth Day is arriving on April 22 and one way to celebrate it is to recognize the impact a clean and healthy environment has on our wellbeing. People thrive in nature, so much so that they bring it into their homes through different means and elements.
Biophilia is used to describe the innate affinity that humans have for life and nature. It is composed of bio – which means ‘life’ and philia – which means highest form of love. Biophilia also encompasses the sense of calmness and serenity that we as humans get from being connected to nature.
Biophilia design is the deliberate and intentional creation of spaces that connect us to nature.
It only makes sense that people would embrace the idea of bringing the outdoors into their home (and I don’t mean the type of “outdoors” that kids and pets drag into the house) so that they can reap the benefits even while indoors.
What are some of the benefits being around nature has on us?
· Increase in physical health and mental wellness.
· Relieves stress.
· Invokes rest and relaxation
· Connects us to our spiritual selves.
· Elevates our mood.
· Increases our productivity and focus.
· Supports communication.
· Speeds healing and recovery time.
· As well as bringing out our creativity.
Amazingly, it doesn’t have to have a high price tag to implement either. All great reasons to embrace nature in the home, school and/or office for ourselves, families, friends and colleagues.
At this point, you are likely interested in using biophilic design, but now you might be wondering “how?” Chances are that you are probably already doing some of this without even knowing it. Do you open your windows to let in fresh air and the sunlight? Do you have plants in the home? Most people do these couple of things, but we can add even more options. The idea is to engage as many senses as you can to fully perceive the outdoors.
Some simple recommendations are to use natural elements such as wood, clay, cotton and hemp in your furniture and design. Water fountains, whether small table top ones or larger ones can be easily added in the home to engage sight and sound. Our connection to Mother Nature can be stimulated through smell by the use of aromatherapy and essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, lilac or cedarwood to name a few. Freshly cut flowers throughout the home and herb boxes in the kitchen are not only decorative but can fill the room with the clean sent of flora.
Utilizing biomorphic (colours, patterns and shapes naturally occurring in nature) elements is another fun way to incorporate biophilic design and can really bring out your creativity. From peacock feathers, animal prints, rocks, trees, ocean waves, clouds, grass, snow capped mountains, seashells, the sky is the limit on where you can draw inspiration from in regards to furniture, fabrics, art and even lighting. With smart lights, lighting can now even be used to create the colours of a sunset or sunrise, cloudy day or natural sunlight indoors.
Other things to consider are having an aquarium, (who hasn’t just mellowed out watching the fish swim and the various plants wave back and forth in the water?) installing large windows to enjoy the views or skylights to bring in natural overhead lighting or enjoy the night skies? And of course indoor gardens and living walls, which we are seeing become more popular and with more options.
If at this point you still aren’t sold on biophilic design, I challenge you to the following task: look up biophilic images online or in books and pay attention to your physiological and mental reaction to what you are looking at. That sense of calm and joy that rushes over you? That’s biophilia and you owe it to yourself to incorporate it in your various spaces.
Interested in renovating or building a home with biophilic design and principles? Lets chat!