In the last several years, there’s been a significant shift of focus in building design that has emphasized human wellness and betterment. Those core concepts are the foundation of experiential design, a new and exciting movement that reimagines what good design looks like.

Architects and designers have been considering not just how a space can look better but how it can be better for the humans that occupy it. Concepts like biophilic design have helped draw attention to a more human-centric design perspective, and experiential design is part of that trend.

What is experiential design?

Essentially, experiential design prioritizes human interaction with a built environment. In a commercial context, this means strategically using design elements to elicit an emotional connection to a brand and immerse occupants in a narrative. Today, creating an experience is more important than ever before. In its 2017 Experience Index, Gensler notes that “the human experience must be the driving force behind every element of a space––from the design of physical space to the qualities of interaction, expectation, and intention.”

In practice, this can take many different forms, but above all, engagement and emotional connection are the foundation of experiential design. If a space doesn’t allow its occupants to feel connected, it’s not experiential. For example, in an office setting, this might include creating spaces that facilitate workflow and optimize emotional and physical employee well-being.

From Office Snapshots: Web design firm Achieve Internet uses graphics and the company’s trademark orange color to enhance the workplace atmosphere

This is where one of the big differences between experiential design and other contemporary perspectives comes in. Whereas some designers might create a space based on trends or aesthetics alone, experiential design looks at how humans will interact with the space and builds the environment not only around human needs but also the human experience. Input from to-be occupants is thus a crucial part of the process. This collaboration with occupants allows designers to understand users’ needs and expectations.

While experiential design at its core does require a deep look at how people will interact with a space, it goes above and beyond to emotionally connect people with the space. Signage, decor, and messaging that strongly align with the brand message are a few of the ways experiential design accomplishes this connection. In short, the branded content works hand in hand with the design to reflect the purpose of the space.

From Interior Architects: Twitter’s London office prominently displays hashtags and accounts for a holistic brand experience

What Does Experiential Design Look Like?

Human-centric design, branding, and interactivity are all vital pieces of the puzzle that is experiential design. The more connected someone feels to a space, the more they will want to come back to that space. In a business context, this translates to more hotel stays, more returning customers, and more brand ambassadors. More and more businesses and institutions are realizing this and are seeking out experiential designers to help them create these strong emotional connections.

Trillium Creek Primary School in West Linn, Oregon is an excellent example of experiential design in action. Teachers, staff, and students spoke up during the planning process to ensure the design would meet their needs for a school space that gave students a well-rounded educational experience. As a result, the final school design included elements like simulated trees and integrated play areas to encourage interaction throughout the building.

From Parallel Photography: Trillium Creek Primary School incorporates experiential architecture elements that were suggested by the school and community

Another outstanding example of experiential design is Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Monmouth. The legendary firm Perkins+Will worked to create a healing environment that would be noticeably different from other cancer centers. That ethic is evident in the facility’s design. A large courtyard, ample views of nature, and clean spaces inspired by the hospitality industry make MSK Monmouth truly unique. Jason Harper, medical planner and associate principal and Perkins+Will, said, “We wanted to give patients a positive, hope-filled and humane experience at a time when they’re feeling down, both emotionally and physically.”

From Health Facilities Management Magazine: The open, biophilic interior of MSK Monmouth was designed to optimize patient experience and comfort

Experiential design also lends itself to internal branding. This is a boon to companies who are looking to improve employee morale by creating a positive, brand-driven environment that reminds workers of a greater purpose. Shimano Cycling World in Singapore exemplifies this. An installation featuring brand imagery and a wall of bicycles connects both employees and visitors to the Shimano brand. That installation was created by Eight Inc., a leading experiential design firm. As Principal Jeff Straesser put it, “It’s more about traditional architects realizing it’s not enough to design something that’s visibly compelling. It’s about bringing all these other considerations into design experiences.”

From Curbed: This consistent and compelling branding is another way of utilizing experiential design

The Future of Experiential Design

As more architects and designers are considering what it means to build human-centric spaces, experiential design is rapidly becoming more mainstream. Design is becoming increasingly less about current trends and more about meeting human needs. When people have a quality experience in a space, they are more engaged. Engagement translates into more productive workers, more customers and more social shares of well-designed spaces. The role of experiential design is only bound to grow.

Theoretically, biophilic design is a fascinating concept that illuminates the human desire for a connection to nature. It has been the subject of several studies, one of the most well-known being Terrapin Bright Green’s “14 Patterns of Biophilic Design.” This analysis laid out vital concepts behind biophilic design, and I want to illustrate what some of these principles look like in action.

Visual Connection to Nature

Terrapin Bright Green defines this simply as “a view to elements of nature, living systems, and natural processes.” Though it’s simple, this principle can be immensely powerful when applied well. The Terrapin study specifies that studies have shown humans prefer a view involving a slope that leads to some sort of natural scene. Biophilic design needn’t attempt to adhere to this as dogma; rather, this preference provides a guideline for designers to consider. Using natural materials like weathered wood or stone can give a space more visual connection.

From Archello: This garden embodies the biophilic principle of a visual connection to nature

Thermal & Airflow Variability

Adequate ventilation and exposure to natural elements like light are both critical from a biophilic perspective. Since being in a natural space would entail changes in what one senses, biophilic design should replicate this variability. Terrapin places heat and air elements in their own category, although elements like sound are still important.

There are several natural and artificial means of creating this sort of variability. Naturally, a space can strategically direct sunlight to focal points that deserve the most solar contact. On the other hand, shadow and shade, which can be accomplished organically through design, are just as essential. Artificial means may include HVAC delivery, window treatment, and cross ventilation. Often, it is ideal to combine both natural and artificial strategies to create variability, especially because most environments are unable to use solely natural methods due to impracticality.

From Contemporist: This space demonstrates the biophilic principle of thermal and airflow variability

Connection with Natural Systems

Natural processes such as geology and hydrology play an important role in biophilic design. As with thermal and airflow variability, change is inherent in natural systems and thus a necessary inclusion in any biophilic environment. This variability is mostly organic, although there are methods of artificially supplementing the natural systems.

Integrating natural systems can be as simple as an ample view of a forest. On the other hand, it can be complex; for example, it might be desirable to control light to accommodate human circadian rhythms. It is most important for humans to be surrounded by and reminded of the cycles and systems in nature. Simulated options include the installation of wildlife habitats or aged wood with a noticeable patina.

From Oliver Heath: This panoramic view of water and vegetation allows for a natural connection to biophilic systems

Material Connection With Nature

This biophilic principle is one of the most flexible when it comes to design. Material connection may mean reflecting local ecology or simply utilizing a wide variety of materials to encourage visual difference, which can aid in maximizing the effects of biophilic design. Typically, colors that occur naturally (especially green) are used in conjunction with materials like naturally distressed wood. This can also extend to a textural level, such as using worn leather or stone to more thoroughly integrate natural details and satisfy subconscious biophilic needs.

From Office Star: GitHub’s San Francisco office is plentiful with wood and green materials

Complexity & Order

The concepts behind complexity and order emerge from natural and often mathematical patterns in nature such as fractals. Specifically, a space with a moderate amount of fractal usage will keep the space interesting while not making it overwhelming. While design doesn’t need to explicitly use mathematical sequences, it’s important for a space to have a sense of natural purpose. Symmetry also falls into this category and is a valuable tool in the biophilic designer’s arsenal.

From Terrapin Bright Green: This ceiling structure exemplifies fractal-based biophilic design

Prospect

Terrapin defines prospect as “an unimpeded view over a distance for surveillance and planning,” making it closely related to open design but in a more comprehensive fashion. Prospect can be applied to both inside and outside spaces, and it prioritizes lines of sight. This can be accomplished with elevated planes, unobstructed views, and centering traffic around a central hub. Prospect is also important to allow for the best views of natural elements and systems.

From TerraMai: The Google Quad campus has a high prospect level with open views

Conclusion

To get the most benefits from biophilic design, it’s essential to implement several of these biophilic principles. These concepts will turn a space from a nature-friendly environment into a full-fledged biophilic paradise.

The great designer Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day’s work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain.” That’s exactly the ethos of biophilic design. Biophilic design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also mentally beneficial. It’s an important concept for anyone interested in design or architecture to understand and implement.

From Metropolis: Biophilic design in action in the Genzyme Building in Cambridge, MA

The History of Biophilic Design

By now, biophilic design has become rather mainstream. More and more designers are integrating elements like wood, natural lighting, plants, and water. However, to truly understand the myriad applications of biophilic design, it’s crucial to understand its history and its philosophies. Metropolis Magazine says that “biophilic design seeks to connect our inherent need to affiliate with nature in the modern built environment.” Basically, it aims to include natural elements into contemporary architecture.

From EcoBuilding Pulse: This integrated garden utilizes biophiliac principles

The concept was introduced by E.O. Wilson in his 1984 book Biophilia. Wilson, a renowned biologist and University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard, outlined a fundamental tendency of human beings to be attracted to nature and emulate its processes and structures in everyday life. This is the basic idea that underlies biophilic design. The goal is to satisfy this biophilia by creating architecture that is an extension of nature.

From Glumac: A wide, open office that appeals to biophilia

While biophilic design has quickly risen to prominence in recent years for its broad aesthetic appeal, it also provides mental and psychological benefits that have been well documented in various studies. Biophilic design is especially important when designing spaces that people will spend large amounts of time in, such as a corporate office or classroom. Even though the concept of biophilia is relatively new, there has already been a good amount of research that affirms its claims of making humans happier.

A Natural Happiness

One of the more interesting hypotheses that some advocates of biophilia assume is that humans have developed a lifestyle that is too far removed from what could be considered natural. Therefore, biophilic design can foster happiness and well-being. This hypothesis has been observed and confirmed in several studies.

From TerraMai: The Clif Bar HQ is resplendent with biophilic design

One 2011 study from the Journal of Happiness Studies found that psychological health is linked to nature relatedness (NR). According to the study, “changes in NR mediate the relationship between environmental education and changes in vitality.” This study built upon a previous one from the same journal that cemented the connection between biophilia and mental health. This earlier study posited that the cultural and technological changes brought about by industrialization have caused negative psychological effects. The corollary, then, is that biophilic design can assist in remedying these drawbacks.

The Benefits of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, whether implemented in the workplace or a public area, has immense benefits that range from improvement in job performance to lower blood pressure. A global study by Human Spaces shared that employees who work in environments with natural elements have a 15% higher level of well-being and are 6% more productive. It seems that biophilic design is a boon to the workplace in particular; the BBC reported that one call center that rearranged its layout to give employees a better view of vegetation enjoyed an annual productivity savings that worked out to an average $2,990 per employee.

Specifically, there seem to be three main factors at work here: natural light, ventilation, and quality of view. A study by the California Energy Commission correlated an increase in these elements to improved performance. In any kind of space that utilizes biophilic design, you’ll find all three in abundance, so it’s safe to say they can be used as a list of vital criteria when evaluating an environment. These elements are often associated with minimalistic design, and while biophilic design works hand in hand with minimalist concepts, it can be used in all kinds of spaces.

From TerraMai: Priceline’s office showcases biophilic design

One of the best features of biophilic design is its flexibility in scale. A room or building doesn’t need to be completely remodeled to feature a massive garden; positive health effects can happen by making small changes. Simply introducing more plants into an office space has been found to increase productivity by 15%. Nonetheless, design that is inherently biophilic (rather than biophilic principles applied to existing environments) helps to maximize health benefits. Additionally, biophilic design can be applied to outside spaces as well.

From Icarus Films: An excellent example of large scale biophilic design

Conclusion

Biophiliac design is becoming more common thanks to its positive effects on human well-being, and it will likely become a standard for design in the future. Understanding and implementing biophilic principles are essential to creating environments that are ideal for humans.