The Economics of Biophilic Design

7/27/2019 The Economics of Biophilic Design

1/5

Through parks and recreation in Biophilic design approach; these will invite nature

back in the city that will balance urban environment. Biophilic design incorporatesnatural elements into manmade environments in order to help people feel and performbetter. And also it relies on an inherent connection between humans and their naturalenvironment as an integral and foundational component of architecture, interior, andlandscape design. Human behaviors and cognitive performance are influenced bymultiple aspects of their physical environment including colors; size and shape of aroom; stimuli such as noise and light, and symbolic artifacts that provide meaning, suchas artwork and family photos (Dak Kopec, 2010). We need nature in our lives; it is notoptional

Biophilic Design is an innovative way of designing the places where we live, work,

and learn. We need nature in a deep and fundamental fashion, but we have often

designed our cities and suburbs in ways that both degrade the environment and

alienate us from nature. The recent trend in green architecture has decreased the

environmental impact of the built environment, but it has accomplished little in the

way of reconnecting us to the natural world, the missing piece in the puzzle ofsustainable development. (http://www.biophilicdesign.net/)A healing environment

cannot be considered as so without considering sustainable green design. In the ideal

condition, green design would have no negative impact on the environment, would

use only renewable resources, and all materials would be recycled. In addition, the

environment would support health and well-being.

Economic, social, and environmental factors often seem to clash in the healthcare

environment. However, healthy people are not possible without healthy facilities

(McLellan, 1978).

In relation to the designing of healing environments, green design takes various

forms. On a larger scale, the building should respect the existing site and incorporate

with the natural surroundings physically and ecologically. On a smaller scale, interiorfinishes should be constructed of natural, non-toxic materials especially for a facility

intended to promote healing and rejuvenation. As research has shown, Most things in

the interior of a building contain chemicals that are harmful to people at some

dosage...Many times when fires occur, in buildings, it is the chemicals released in the

materials that kill people before the fire itself does (McLellan, 1978). In an effort to

create a healthy environment, it will be important for the purposes of this project to

choose materials that do not emit the harmful chemicals known as Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOCs). Materials should also be obtained from renewable sources and

preferably from local manufacturers. Local materials will also help to create a strong

connection between the buildings, the natural context, and its cultural context.
http://www.biophilicdesign.net/http://www.biophilicdesign.net/


2/5

The economics of biophilia

The truth of biophilia is no longer possible to ignore. Scientific studies have

proved the physical, psychosocial, and practical benefits of biophilia in fields as

diverse as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and more.

And today, more than ever, biophilic design is both a restorative design strategy

and a competitive business opportunity, driving innovations in aesthetics,

functionality, and sustainability. Here, we feature an article by environmental

consultants Terrapin Bright Green that outlines the economic advantages of

designing with nature in mind.


3/5

Biophilia is a term popularized by Harvard Universitymyrmecologist and conservationist E.O. Wilson to describe theextent to which humans are hard-wired to need connectionwith nature and other forms of life. More specifically, Wilsondescribes it this way: Biophiliais the innately emotional

affiliation of human beings to other living organisms. Innatemeans hereditary and hence part of ultimate human nature.(Wilson, 1993, p.31). To Wilson biophia is really a complex oflearning rules developed over thousands of years of evolutionand human-environment interaction.

Evidence of the emotional and psychological benefits of nature ismounting and impressive (research shows its ability to reducestress, to aid recovery from illness, to enhance cognitive skills andacademic performance, to aid in moderating the effects of ADHD,autism and other child illnesses). Recent research suggests even

that we are more generous in the presence of nature; all thesevalues are in addition to the immense economic value of theecological services provided by natural systems.

Support for the practice ofbiophilic design has been growing andthere are now many exemplary examples of buildings that seek tointegrate natural features and qualities. We recognize the need forbiophilic workplaces, for healing gardens and spaces in hospitals,and for homes and apartments that provide abundant daylight,natural ventilation, plants and greenery. Less attention, however,has been focused on the city or urban scale, despite the fact that

the planet continues an inexorable trend in the direction ofurbanization. Urban residents need nature more than ever, andmuch work is needed to find creative and effective means forincorporating it into urban environments.

It is likely that the benefits of close contact with nature are deeperand even more profound, and the potential to make a difference byintegrating nature directly into our lives, even greater than werealize. Nature ought not to be an afterthought, and ought not toonly be viewed in terms of the (considerable to be sure) functionalbenefits typically provided (benefits of trees, green rooftops,wetlands for managing stormwater, for mediating air and waterpollutants, for addressing urban heat island effects, and so on). Theelements of a deeper concept of integrating nature into everydayliving include a recognition of some of the following:

Important Ties to Place. There are considerable place-strengtheningbenefits and place-commitments that derive from knowledge oflocal nature; from direct personal contact; enhanced knowledge,and deeper connections = greater stewardship, and willingness totake personal actions on behalf of place and home;

Connections and Connectedness. Caring for place and environment,essential for human wellbeing and in turn essential ingredient in


4/5

caring for each other;

A Need for Wonder and Awe in Our Lives. Nature has the potentialto amaze us, stimulate us, propel us forward to want to learn moreand understand more fully our world; Nature adds a kind of wonder

value to our lives unlike almost anything else;

Meaningful Lives Require Nature. The qualities of wonder andfascination, the ability to nurture deep personal connection andinvolvement, visceral engagement in something larger than andoutside oneself, offer the potential for meaning in life few otherthings can provide;

Urbanists and city planners have special opportunities and uniqueobligations to advance biophilic city design, utilizing a variety ofstrategies and tools, applied on a number of geographical and

governmental scales. The agenda is one that must extend beyondconventional urban parks, and beyond building-centric greendesign. It is about redefining the very essence of cities as places ofwild and restorative nature, from rooftops to roadways toriverfronts. It is about understanding cities as places that alreadyharbor much nature and places that can become, through boldvision and persistent practice, even greener and richer in thenature they contain.

What a biophilic cityis or could be is an open question, and it is

hoped that this website will help to stimulate discussion of this. Asa tentative starting point I offer some of the following as keyqualities of biophilic cities:

Biophilic cities are cities of abundant nature in closeproximity to large numbers of urbanites; biophilic cities arebiodiverse cities, that value, protect and actively restore thisbiodiversity; biophilic cities are green and growing cities,organic and natureful;

In biophilic cities, residents feel a deep affinity with theunique flora, fauna and fungi found there, and with theclimate, topography, and other special qualities of place andenvironment that serve to define the urban home; In biophiliccities citizens can easily recognize common species of trees,flowers, insects and birds (and in turn care deeply aboutthem);

Biophilic cities are cities that provide abundant opportunitiesto be outside and to enjoy nature through strolling, hiking,

bicycling, exploring; biophilic cities nudge us to spend more


5/5

time amongst the trees, birds and sunlight.

Biophilic cities are rich multisensory environments, the wherethe sounds of nature (and other sensory experiences) are as

appreciated as much as the visual or ocular experience;biophilic cities celebrate natural forms, shapes, andmaterials;

Biophilic cities place importance on education about natureand biodiversity, and on providing many and variedopportunities to learn about and directly experience nature;In biophilic cities there are many opportunities to join withothers in learning about, enjoying, deeply connecting with,and helping to steward over nature, whether though a natureclub, organized hikes, camping in city parks, or volunteeringfor nature restoration projects.

Biophilic cities invest in the social and physical infrastructurethat helps to bring urbanites in closer connection andunderstanding of nature, whether through natural historymuseums, wildlife centers, school-based nature initiatives, orparks and recreation programs and projects, among manyothers;

Biophilic cities are globally responsible cities that recognizethe importance of actions to limit the impact of resource useon nature and biodiversity beyond their urban borders;biophilic cities take steps to actively support the conservationglobal nature;

These are but a few of the ways a city might be seen as biophilic.What do you think? Are there other ways, and other importantqualities or dimensions not listed above?

Documents

The Economics of Biophilic Design