Abstract
The concept of biophilic design emerges as a solution in an environment where urbanization drives people away from nature, and the built environment becomes increasingly critical to people's productivity; emotional, physical, and mental health; and leads to the pursuit of nature. Examples in which the understanding of including nature in the built environment is adopted, and the human-nature interaction is emphasized, which can be seen in many scales, within the framework of biophilic design. Designs with the same concern from the dimension of urban design to the scale of the architecture are designed in a way that appeals to the senses by taking shape in the human focus. In this chapter, the biophilia phenomenon is examined from different design scales, and principles of the biophilic design are discussed through theoretical bases and practices.
TopBackground
Increasing urbanization, human population, and industrialization in cities, while driving people further away from nature, it also brings ecological problems and global warming with it. Designers, on the other hand, are trying to find design solutions for better futures by developing sustainable design methods. At this point, the Biophilic design method aims to propose design solutions that take its reference from the connection with nature by going down to the foundations of humanity in order to create spaces that will affect human well-being as well as for the future of the world (Caan, 2011; Kellert & Wilson, 1993).
There are different ways of experiencing nature, such as direct, indirect and being integrated with space. Being able to experience nature in the built environment through senses, can be considered as the key point of biophilic design within the framework of a design focusing on the human experience. Biophilic design can be experienced in a variety of sensory ways such as sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste (Kellert & Calabrese, 2015). However, in addition to sensory perception of space and integration with nature, another dimension of biophilic design is the use of materials that will affect human well-being. The materials used in the designs should not only appeal to the visual but also should be designed in a way that will not be harmful to human health.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Biophilic Design: Biophilia theory that is embodied in design to strengthen the bond between man and nature.
Sensorial Design: Design strategy that aims to establish a general diagnosis of the sensory perceptions and define the appropriate tools to design products or spaces.
Bio-Architecture: Architecture that aims to design environments that can affect well-being, in an ecologically-friendly manner and reflect structures found in nature.
Biophilia: The term defines love and need for nature and all living systems.
Wellbeing: It is a positive outcome and a state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy that can be affected by mental and physical health.
Vernacular: Architecture that has concerns about regionality and functionality and uses traditional materials and resources from the area where the building is located.
Biophilic City: City that adopts the “whole city” approach and prioritizes contact with nature at every scale.