Were excited to share our two newest biophilic design case studies.

Each of
these case studies looks at specific project to highlight how the 14 patterns of
biophilic design have been applied, as well as the impact these spaces have on
the health and wellbeing of their occupants. These real-world examples of strong
biophilic design show the creative ways designers have incorporated biophilic
design strategies across a variety of building types, scales, and locations.
The next two case studies are the Kickstarter Headquarters and the Coeur
dAlene Tribe Resort Expansion.

The central courtyard extends up through the entire building, filling the space with natural light and views
to nature. Image Ole Sondresen Architect.

Kickstarter, the global crowdfunding platform, found their new home in an old
pencil factory in Brooklyn, New York. The project transformed what was a dark
former factory into a light and nature filled space, complete with edible roof
garden. Many of the sustainable design choices, including using salvaged wood,
also contribute to the biophilic experience of the space. The office is now a
dynamic and engaging work environment for employees that supports their
creativity and wellbeing.
An interesting finding in this case study was the presence of the biophilic design
pattern, Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli, which is also present in the COOKFOX
renovation. Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli encourages physiological restoration
and relief from mental fatigue, making it an ideal pattern for an office
environment. Seeing a pattern show up in multiple examples of the same building
type could indicate that the pattern is effective in this type of space. The short,
infrequent distractions from the COOKFOX green roof and the Kickstarter central

courtyard may provide relief from mental and physiological fatigue. Both offices
benefit from these potential restorative effects, but have applied the pattern
differently to be effective in their space.

The dramatic Skycatcher corridor at the Coeur dAlene resort. Image Mithun.

The second case study is the Coeur dAlene Tribe Resort Expansion. Completed
in 2011, the goal of the redesign was to capture the rich history of the tribe and
the unique ecology of their land. The result is a warm and inviting environment,
one that welcomes guests while integrating the landscape and Coeur dAlene
culture into the guest experience. Since 2011, the resort has undergone
additional renovations.

- See more at: http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/blog/2016/04/two-new-casestudies-biophilic-design/#sthash.JVXHYwbB.dpuf

* This feature is an adaptation of a post from Caties on-going series for Human
Spaces, powered by Interface, outlining each of the 14 patterns of biophilic
design. For a more in-depth look at this pattern and others, see the
publication 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design.
Water. From crashing waves to trickling streams, wading pools, and water
fountains, water enhances the experience of a place. The Presence of Water
biophilic design pattern has evolved from research on the health and wellbeing
benefits associated with access to water, including reduced stress, lower heart

rate and blood pressure, increased feelings of tranquility, positive emotional

responsiveness, improved concentration and perception, and memory
restoration. The general take-away from the research is that a frequent
multisensory experience of clean water is very good for our psycho-physiological
wellbeing.
More so than many other patterns of biophilic design, designers and owners are
often wary of introducing Presence of Water into their projects. Some of the most
common concerns are cost, sanitation, water scarcity, or cultural appropriateness
of water features. However, there are many ways to incorporate Presence of
Water into a design that overcome these challenges and provide multiple
benefits.

Modular water wall. Office of ArtAqua, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. The modular water wall units
serve as cubicle partitions in the open plan ArtAqua office. Each unit provides some visual and sound
privacy, while also contributing to a focused yet restorative work environment. Photo copyright Bill
Browning.

Cost & Scale of Water Features

Cost is among the most common deterrent to incorporating water features. Large
or extensive water features can have a high first cost with continuous
maintenance requirements built into the design. While thoughtful design should
be able to mitigate concerns for energy intensity, risk of leakage, or humidity
balance, large awe-inspiring water features are not always the most appropriate
solution for optimizing health impact at a project site. For instancewhen not
value-engineered outlarge water features are often situated in spaces where

people dont spend a lot of time (e.g., lobbies and other low density spaces), and
as a result they tend to be a missed opportunity for engendering cognitive
restoration and other benefits to our wellbeing.
When larger features are deemed appropriate and financially feasible, they
should be placed in locations where the maximum number of people can
experience them for a prolonged period of time, perhaps in locations with
adequate seating. Smaller water features are often a good alternative, since they
require less energy and maintenance, are generally self-contained, and can be
designed to be mobile, allowing flexibility in space planning. Strategically
situated, small fountains or water walls can serve multiple purposes, such as
providing visual and speech privacy, increasing concentration, and supporting
relaxation.

Water scrims and reflections. Kogod Courtyard, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C. The thin sheets of water reflect light and clouds through the undulating canopy above.
When the courtyard doubles as an event space, the system is drained to seamlessly become part of the
floor plane. Photo copyright Tim Evanson.

Water Sanitation
Sanitation is a frequent concern with the presence of active water features,
particularly for healthcare and food processing facilities. In spaces where such

features cannot be introduced, projections and representations of water can

provide some semblance of the presence of water and associated health
benefits, while both minimizing first costs and maintenance and meeting health
and sanitation requirements.
An operational water feature in an adjacent reception area or outdoor courtyard
may serve as source or inspiration for indoor representations; for instance, light
reflections from a water feature can be projected onto a ceiling or wall, and the
sounds of a water feature can be broadcasted deep into a space or building.
Sound and light originating from a small or distant water feature can alter the
perception of its size and proximity. Awareness and novelty of the experience can
be elevated by limiting auditory access to the most impactful locations within a
space (i.e., not uniformly distributed) for targeted outcomes, such as to engender
concentration or speech privacy in designated zones, or to draw pedestrians
through the space toward a destination.
Water Resource Sensitivity
Resource sensitivities, particularly in water-poor regions, tend to place limitations
or restrictions on engineered water features. Securing community acceptance
and meeting sustainability goals are justifiably prioritized, though the value
proposition of a presence of water is not always fully articulated. Projections and
imagery of water are often a viable solution for water-sensitive sites. However, the
presence of an active water feature also presents an opportunitythrough
responsible designto educate users on issues of water scarcity and water
efficiency, while optimizing positive health impacts and fostering a connection to
place.

Rainchain. CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang, Malaysia. The courtyard of this
spa villa has a series of three rainchains paired with cisterns on a meandering gravel bed. Rainwater runs
off the rooftop, down the rainchain and into the cistern to create a soothing sound or trickling water. Photo
copyright Catie Ryan.

Small features can celebrate water as a precious resource. For instance, cyclical
or closed-loop systems (e.g., modular or portable water fountains) that do not
create a significant water burden, as well as naturally occurring or engineered
ephemeral water features (e.g., rain chains, seasonal arroyos, rain gardens) can
provide a restorative experience and help connect people to natural systems,
while highlighting the seasonality or scarcity of water on the site.
Water Management Integration
Flood mitigation, surface drainage and quality control, and groundwater aquifer
recharge are common site management concerns with water. Open-air rainwater
management is an effective way of integrating the Presence of Water pattern for
the benefit of both the landscape and the people who experience it.
Rainwater retention, harvest and reuse strategies provide prime opportunities for
enhancing the human experience of a place. Historic management practices,
decorative or spiritual applications, or passive cooling strategies can be designed
to emphasize the functionality and climatic or cultural responsiveness of a space.

At the site scale, a reflection pool or stepwell may double as a gathering place.
An engineered wetland may enhance biodiversity and encourage groundwater
recharge, while improving our access to nature for reflection or learning. At the
building scale, the combination of an ornamental scupper with rainchain and
French drain can serve as a practical drainage mechanism and, when clearly
visible to the observer, can double as a seasonal Presence of Water intervention.

Reservoir. Rajasthan, India. The design of this office complex, by Sanjay Puri Architects, leverages the
capacity of the steeply contoured site as a natural water collection pit from the surrounding land. Stepped
wells located in Rajasthan since centuries were studied and the design of the built form is directly inspired
by the form of the ancient stepped wells. Office spaces are on the two north facing sides gradually

stepping down at each level along the existing contours generating north facing landscaped terraces
fronting each office. The east and west sides provide stepped areas for users to stroll, sit in the shade,
and watch the wildlife. Additionally, the original water collection area is to be enlarged to augment the
water requirement of the entire township. Rendering courtesy of Sanjay Puri Architects.

Water features can be used to directly bridge the gap between human experience
and building or site performance, such as when the feature becomes integral to
outdoor rainwater management or indoor humidity control or acoustics. Systems
integration for water resource management can also help justify the cost of water
features, but necessitates early phase coordination with the MEP design team
and facilities management, as well as possibly a landscape architect,
environmental engineer, acoustician, or artist, depending on the strategy being
pursued.

Example interventions and passive incorporation water features that address key design concerns while
supporting a biophilic experience of water.

This is just a quick look at some of the possibilities for integrating a Presence of
Water. There are many more! Water-based interventions can seem unnecessary
or environmentally burdensome; however, in many cases, designers can still find
interventions appropriate to their project, site, climate and cultural challenges.
See the chart above for example water strategies that both support wellbeing and
meet the needs of challenging or unique projects. Water-based interventions

should be used to creatively overcome building design, environmental

engineering and resiliency planning challenges while also providing significant
health and wellbeing benefits.
- See more at: http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/blog/2016/06/waterwellbeing/#sthash.fuZCeg27.dpuf