Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability: A Critical Review (2024)

Samenvatting

In the last ten years, ‘nature’ and biophilic design have received widespread attention in architecture, especially in response to growing environmental challenges. However, open questions and controversies remain regarding conceptualizing and addressing ‘nature’ in practice and research. This study conducts a literature review to discuss biophilic design as a theoretical framework to interpret ‘nature’ in architecture. The following questions are answered: (1) How has the concept of biophilic design emerged, and how can it be defined? (2) In what ways can biophilic design contribute to the goals of sustainable architecture? (3) What are the key design strategies in biophilic design? This review identifies and compares the key frameworks of biophilic design and explains their major elements. We then analyse the benefits (e.g. enhance health, well-being, productivity, biodiversity, and circularity) of biophilic design in achieving sustainability, as framed through the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The results indicate that biophilic design is more complex and richer than the mere application of vegetation in buildings; it broadens the variety through encompassing different types of nature from physical, sensory, metaphorical, morphological, material to spiritual. Moreover, knowledge gaps are identified to motivate future research and critical reflections on biophilic design practices.

Originele taal-2Engels
Pagina's (van-tot)114-141
Aantal pagina's28
TijdschriftFrontiers of Architectural Research
Volume11
Nummer van het tijdschrift1
DOI's
StatusGepubliceerd - feb. 2022

Bibliografische nota

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors

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    Zhong, W., Schröder, T. W. A. (2022). Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability: A Critical Review. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 11(1), 114-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006

    Zhong, Weijie ; Schröder, Torsten W.A. ; Bekkering, Juliette D. / Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability : A Critical Review. In: Frontiers of Architectural Research. 2022 ; Vol. 11, Nr. 1. blz. 114-141.

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    Zhong, W, Schröder, TWA 2022, 'Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability: A Critical Review', Frontiers of Architectural Research, vol. 11, nr. 1, blz. 114-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006

    Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability: A Critical Review. / Zhong, Weijie (Corresponding author); Schröder, Torsten W.A.; Bekkering, Juliette D.
    In: Frontiers of Architectural Research, Vol. 11, Nr. 1, 02.2022, blz. 114-141.

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    Zhong W, Schröder TWA, Bekkering JD. Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability: A Critical Review. Frontiers of Architectural Research. 2022 feb.;11(1):114-141. doi: 10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006

    Biophilic Design in Architecture and Its Contributions to Health, Well-being, and Sustainability: A Critical Review (2024)

    FAQs

    How does biophilic design impact health and wellbeing? ›

    Visual connection with nature can lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve mental engagement, and attentiveness, and positively impact attitude and overall happiness.

    How does biophilic design help sustainability? ›

    The sustainability aspect of biophilic design is crucial for living buildings and environments. Providing green spaces, water features, abundant plants and natural materials creates a host of benefits, including helping to reduce a development's carbon footprint and regulating the temperature of buildings.

    What is the critique of biophilic design? ›

    In line with such arguments, this review identifies two main shortcomings of Biophilic design and its frameworks: While Biophilic design as a design approach aims to restore and enhance the Nature experiences within the built environment, the first limitation that this paper has identified is how the existing extant ...

    What are the benefits of biophilic design in architecture? ›

    Improves our mind restoration and productivity

    Incorporating direct or indirect elements of nature into the built environment have been demonstrated through research to reduce stress, blood pressure levels and heart rates, whilst increasing productivity, creativity and self reported rates of well-being.

    What is the impact of architecture in the process of healing and wellbeing? ›

    Evidence-Based Design: Many principles of healing through architecture are based on evidence- based design (EBD) research. EBD uses scientific research to inform architectural decisions, aiming to create spaces that improve health outcomes and enhance the healing process.

    What are the main points of biophilic design? ›

    This can include a sense of safety and protection, a balance of variety with regularity, fostering curiosity and exploration and engendering a sense of accomplishment and mastery over our environment. Our attachment and attraction to nature can also be tapped into through biophilic design.

    What is the significance of biophilic architecture? ›

    Biophilic architecture is a design philosophy that seeks to create buildings and spaces that connect people with nature. It incorporates natural elements, materials, and light to enhance the well-being and productivity of occupants and the built environment's sustainability.

    What is the psychology behind biophilic design? ›

    The biophilia hypothesis posits an innate biological and genetic connection between human and nature, including an emotional dimension to this connection. Biophilic design builds on this hypothesis in an attempt to design human-nature connections into the built environment.

    What are the benefits of sustainability in architecture? ›

    The Rising Popularity of Sustainable Architecture
    • Improved Indoor Environment: Quality of Life. ...
    • Saving Water: Reduce, Reuse, Replenish. ...
    • Enhanced Health: Eco-Friendly For Life. ...
    • Reducing The Strain: Shared Resources, Increased Efficiency. ...
    • Reduced Operational Cost and Maintenance: Traditional vs.
    Jan 15, 2019

    What are the criticism of biophilia? ›

    Although there is little doubt that biophilia has an evolutionary origin, some researchers disagree that the attraction that humans feel for Nature has become fixed over the course of its evolution and criticize the evolutionary interpretation of biophilia (Joye and De Block, 2011; Joye and Van den Berg, 2011; Haga et ...

    What are the disadvantages of biophilic design? ›

    Cons of Biophilic Design:
    • Implementation Challenges: Incorporating biophilic design elements may present challenges in certain urban settings or existing structures. ...
    • Maintenance Considerations: The inclusion of living elements, such as plants and green walls, requires ongoing maintenance.
    Jan 26, 2024

    What is the difference between biophilic and sustainable architecture? ›

    Biophilic design and sustainable design are two well-known design principles that revolve around nature, and yet both have vastly different purposes. Whilst one is dedicated to minimising the impacts on the natural world, the other is committed to maximising the health and happiness of the population.

    How does biophilic design affect mental health? ›

    Research suggests that biophilia can have a positive impact on well-being by affecting three of our mind-body systems: physiological (eg. it reduces anxiety), psychological (eg. it reduces anger and fear) and cognitive functions (eg. it improves creativity and boosts mood).

    What are the environmental impacts of biophilic design? ›

    Improved sustainability

    The benefits of biophilic design, such as greater air quality, optimised thermal comfort, improved water management, and increased building lifespans, to name a few, align with the SDGs set by the UN in 2015.

    What are the three principles of biophilic design? ›

    Biophilic design can be organized into three categories – Nature in the Space, Natural Analogues, and Nature of the Space – providing a framework for understanding and enabling thoughtful incorporation of a rich diversity of strategies into the built environment.

    How interior design can impact health and well-being? ›

    Interior Design Can Help to Reduce Stress Levels

    Bringing elements of nature into your home, such as plants, flowers, and water features, can help to create a more calming environment. Creating an organized space: A cluttered and chaotic environment can be overwhelming and stressful.

    What is biophilic design in healthcare? ›

    Biophilia in hospitals incorporates rooms that have a view of nature. If that's a forest across the street, or a landscaped and maintained garden or atrium, it can reduce the time it takes for a patient to recover from an injury, operation or illness.

    How does biophilia help mental health? ›

    Spending time in nature and interacting with animals can have beneficial effects on both physical and mental health. Time spent in green spaces, for instance, is associated with lower levels of stress, improved memory, and heightened creativity.

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