Biophilic Design
A Review of Principle and Practice
Elizabeth Molthrop 12
T
he word green elicits many definitions and respons- to this predicament, preventing harm to both people and na-
es. From nature itself to environmentally friendly ture while facilitating a beneficial link between the two (1).
consumer items and building methods, the word Too often, a distinction has been made between archi-
has been ubiquitously slapped onto a multitude of prod- tecture and environment, cutting people off from a psycho-
ucts and services currently on the market. The green logically-developed need to commune with nature. When
movement in construction particularly has a multitude of architects overstep their role, using images and surface
implications. For some, green architecture is a black and effects to supplant everyday human desires and sensibili-
white definition, set by LEED (Leadership in Energy and ties in the name of artistic endeavor, humans are left to live
Environmental Design) standards. Others seek aesthetic out their lives in a series of ill-fitting, overexaggerated and
integration with the environment as a determining factor. often idiosyncratic formal architectural schemes. Biophilic
A new movement related to green architecturebiophilic design does not advocate tree houses or cave-dwelling, but it
designhas recently gained much momentum within the does provide the nature-based features that prompt complex
building community. The leading experts in the biophilic thinking in humans. Though not technically biophilic design,
design field hold that we should bring as much of nature the nature-communing architecture of Frank Lloyd Wrights
as we can into our everyday environments so as to experi- Fallingwater arguably speaks to the human soul much more
ence it first-hand; second, we need to shape our built en- than a box-like machine for living by Le Corbusier. Not
vironment to incorporate those same geometrical qualities an architectural style, biophilic design must avoid becom-
found in nature (1). While the green movement has often ing such. Designers can often become caught up with the
focused on the means, biophilic design tends toward empha- potential of new technology, pushing its limits but not in
sizing the end results, establishing natural-based habitats the service of its users. Because of these risks, the green
for humans to live and work. Rather than merely erecting aspect of biophilic design must not overwhelm its overarch-
buildings, architects who utilize the tenets of biophilic de- ing goals of creating an ideal environment for people (1).
sign create spaces in which humans can truly fulfill their po- Biophilic design affords humans a host of benefits. Us-
tential. Biophilic design incorporates elements derived from ing particular landscapes can reduce stress and enhance
nature in order to maximize human functioning and health. well-being because we gravitate toward certain configura-
tions and natural contents. These landscapes were the en-
and strong analgesics, and had slightly fewer postoperative Biophilic design can incorporate natural elements into workspaces.
complications (2). The underlying reasons for this discrep-
ancy are biological. For our ancestors, a capability for fast cally, it follows that people would gravitate toward aesthetic
recovery from stress following demanding episodes was forms that have been reinforced throughout their history.
so critical for enhancing survival chances of early humans Along with the concept of fractals, two overarching
as to favor individuals with a partly genetic predisposition theories have attempted to explain humans affinity for bio-
for restorative responding to many nature settings (1). philia. The first is attention restoration theory, developed by
As a consequence, nature and nature-based design have the Kaplans, which interprets restoration as the recovery
been integrated into the physical design of many hospitals. of directed attention or the ability to focus. This capacity is
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), for exam- deployed during tasks that require profound concentration,
ple, boasts an atrium design, flooding daylight through the such as proofreading or studying. Natural settings have been
entire facility. Natural elements also permeate the building, found to be ideally suited to restore or rest directed atten-
including wood, stone, and numerous live plants. Though tion. The second theory applies more broadly than just fo-
DHMC was built to originally incorporate these qualities, cusing on attention. Restoration is instead stress-reduction
other hospitals have been retrofitted with elements of bio- and can occur even when directed attention is not fatigued.
philia. This follows the trend of the application of biophil- This theorythe psychoevolutionary theory, developed by
ias concepts to interior design in hospitals as administra- Ulrich, is based on the experiences of early humans. The
tors have witnessed patients positive responses to nature. threats they encountered required immediate response and a
Changes to pre-existing hospitals allow immediate improve- rapid recovery, which typically occurred in natural unthreat-
ment for staff, patients, and visitors. In addition, scientific ening (savanna-like) settings. The humans best-equipped
studies have shown that including gardens in healthcare to do this were the most likely to survive and reproduce,
design has a restorative effect for both faculty and patients. passing on these nature-induced restoration capabilities
Whether in a concentrated garden setting or dispersed to their offspring. This continuing psychological evolu-
throughout the building, natural forms provide an oasis tion produced the current makeup of the human brain (2).
from the stress inherent within the healthcare system (1). While the idea of biophilia is an attractive one, as with
A few theories based on research have emerged to ex- any theory, it has certain limitations. Some people do re-
plain the effects of biophilic design on humans. One ele- spond quite well to modern architecture even though they
ment likely contributing to biophilias influence on human are biologically predisposed to respond to more natural
psychology is an underlying geometry of fractals within na- forms. Biology is a key player in influencing human psy-
ture (2). Characteristics of fractals include roughness [re- chology, but culture must not be overlooked. In compar-
curring] on different sales of magnitude, self-similarity ing cultures, however, people across the board respond
on each level of magnification, and non-integer dimension- similarly well to natural views, making it all the more likely
ality (which is more easily witnessed than described) (2). that an affinity for biophilia has been solidified within the
Examples of fractal patterns include fern fronds, lighting gene pool (1). Because people throughout the world as-
bolts, and burning flames. The nested scaling hierarchy sociate biophilia with positive feelings, architects relying
that are fractals can be found in many traditional archi- on biophilic design have the advantage of universal ap-
tectural forms, confirming previous generations greater peal. They also retain a high degree of flexibility and free-
connection (conscious or not) to the natural environ- dom, as biophilic design is not defined by one aesthetic.
ment (1). The Gothic style in particular is obviously fractal Many existing buildings contain biophilic elements, but
(1). In addition, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging only a few have been built with the specific idea of biophilic
(fMRI) studies have begun to reveal a link between aes- design in mind. One such building is the Adam Joseph Lewis
thetic response and the brains pleasure center (1). Logi- Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College. Direc-
38 Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science
tor of Oberlins Environmental Studies Program, David Orr,
explained the buildings goals were to create not just a place Conclusion
for classes but rather a building that would help to redefine Biophilic design principles can be applied in a variety of
the relationship between humankind and the environment contexts allowing growth of both people and environment.
one that would expand our sense of ecological possibilities. Human psychology clearly benefits from contact with na-
Following the tenets of biophilic design led to mutual benefit ture, and inviting nature into our buildings is the ideal way
for the environment and its human inhabitants. The Lewis to insure the both the continuation of our modern lifestyle
Center is sustainable in a broader sense than the word can and assuagement our more primitive needs. Positive effects
typically be applied. It minimizes energy use in harnessing can especially be seen in the realm of healthcare. Its typi-
solar power, utilizes both active and passive air systems, and cally stressful atmosphere holds tremendous room for im-
monitors the weather to adapt to conditions. The Centers provement, and numerous studies evidence natures role in
Living Machine treats wastewater by combining tradition- healing. In sum, the built environment need not interfere
al wastewater technology with wetland ecosystems purifi- with biological human needs to commune with nature nor
cation processes, producing water that can be used in the with existing ecological systems. Ancient architects built for
toilets and for irrigation. In their design, Orr and his team their cultures, which were almost always more in touch with
engineered an outstanding space for students to thrive while the earth than western society of the present. They mim-
insuring the surrounding environment could do the same. icked natures forms, producing magnificent structures with
Another example is the University of Guelph Hum- which we are still awedthough biophilic design is a novel
ber Building in Ontario, Canada. It contains a centrally lo- concept, they certainly employed some of its recommen-
cated biowall, vertically spanning the building. The wall is dations. Today, we can add another layer to this tradition
covered in dense foliage and can be seen from almost every and ensure maximal benefit for our planet and ourselves.
level inside. The wall also functions as a new filtration sys-
tem prototype. The wall purifies the air and has the poten- References
tial to fulfill the buildings fresh air intake requirements (3).
1. S. Kellert, J. Heerwagen, and M. Mador, Biophilic Design: the Theory,
DHMC also incorporates an Arts program for the ben- Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life (Wiley, New Jersey,
efit of its patients and caregivers. A large portion of the 2008).
paintings, photographs, and other works contain nature or 2. Y. Joye, Rev. Gen. Psychol. 11.4, 305-328 (2007).
3. S. Pliska, Biophilia, Selling the Love of Nature (2005). Available at
natural elements. Elisabeth Gordon, head of the program,
http://www.planterra.com/research/article_biophilia.php (17 August 2010).
says the pieces she seeks are soothing and reflective, and 4. E. Gordon, Personal interview, 23 August 2010.
they help reconnect the viewer to his or her humanity (4).
Though she does not use the term biophilic design, the
works within DHMC certainly exhibit the same qualities.
SPRING 2011 39