The biophilia hypothesis. If you’ve worked within the LEED or green design world for any period of time, it’s likely that you’ve run into this term. As intimidating as it might sound, the biophilia hypothesis is actually fairly simple to understand. And, more likely than not, you’ve experienced what the biophilia hypothesis describes. So, what is the biophilia hypothesis?

What is the Biophilia Hypothesis?

The biophilia hypothesis is the belief that humans are genetically predisposed to be attracted to nature. It states that all humans inherently love the natural world.

This idea that we are drawn to and need nature was first put forth by a man named Edward O. Wilson in his book Biophilia published in 1984.

The idea that humans have an innate love and need for nature has been adapted to many different areas of study. The biophilia hypothesis has been used to support the idea that humans are healthier when they’re connected to nature and has even become popular within the movement of green design, reusing materials, and eco-friendly architecture.

Though at first the biophilia hypothesis put forth by Wilson was more aspirational than based in scientific fact, researchers are now finding there are health benefits to being surrounded by nature. I’ll explore the many health benefits of nature later in this article.

The Science Behind the Biophilia Hypothesis

From Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York City, to Edward O. Wilson, to Florence Williams, the belief that nature makes humans healthier is an enduring and fascinating topic.

Research has found that nature helps to lower levels of cortisol, the hormone typically used to assess stress levels, improve concentration, and heighten creativity. They’ve found that taking a walk in a park and even looking at nature through a window can improve someone’s health.

Nature not only improves health, it helps people to feel happier.

From Architectural Digest: A living wall at mndfl, a meditation studio.

Though science has come a long way to measure and prove the link between nature, health, and happiness — most of us intrinsically know that nature makes us feel good. No one needs to tell us.

Whether science proves it or not, the biophilia hypothesis has played a role in making biophilic design, green architecture, and eco-friendly buildings more popular.

The Biophilia Hypothesis in Architecture and Design

Many large companies are getting behind the idea of biophilic and green design. Everyone from Google to Amazon to Clif Bar are incorporating nature into their buildings to help employees to feel happier and healthier.

In addition to building a brand and selling products, companies are shifting focus to creating a workplace and ethos of holistic health. Bringing nature inside has also proven to improve worker productivity.

Elements of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design can be incorporated in many ways to the built environment. You might use reclaimed wood for the floors or wall paneling, plant a green wall, or add more windows to bring in natural light.

The tenets of biophilic design are simple, just an attempt to bring nature indoors for the health of the people inhabiting the space but, can lead design to new and unexplored possibilities.

Add Plants

Whether you add a green roof, a living wall, or just a potted plant here or there, plants are an easy way to incorporate biophilic design and bring nature indoors.

From International Living Future Institute: In Singapore, the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital brings nature and health to its patients.

Not every designer can go all out like in Singapore, but even something as simple as adding a green wall can bring the outside world inside.

From Inhabitat: A green wall in Dubai.

Use Natural Materials

Instead of building with metal, plastics, or man-made materials, use wood. Reclaimed wood is eco-friendly and beautiful.

From Terramai: Reclaimed wood flooring and tree inside Google’s Mountain View headquarters.

Many large companies, such as Google, have begun to incorporate nature elements into their office spaces through the use of reclaimed wood accents, flooring, and paneling.

From Terramai: Amazon’s Seattle headquarters uses reclaimed wood wall paneling.

Bring In Natural Light

Nature isn’t just about sight: it’s about smell, sound, and feeling.

Designing a building around its location and orienting it to get maximum light and wind will not only make it more beneficial to those who work there, but also more eco-friendly. Windows let in natural light and if opened, fresh, outdoor air.

The biophilia hypothesis simply tells us what we already know: nature makes us happier and healthier. Biophilic design has encouraged architects and designers to bring the outside world inside by incorporating natural elements such as reclaimed wood, plants, and natural light into their design.

Biophilic concepts are steadily making their way into popular design. The concepts can take a variety of forms as local culture, ecology, project intent, and architect and designer perspective all direct how biophilic elements are applied to a space. The research is clear – biophilic design has many positive outcomes, most importantly it makes us happier. Biophilia seeks to reconnect us with nature, and by doing so provides all kinds of benefits—behavioral, mental, and physical. Studies have shown that biophilic design improves human well-being and boosts productivity.

From a commercial perspective, biophilia is a solution for creating better working environments. Windowless offices, poorly lit common areas, and cluttered design can all have numerous negative effects on humans, ranging from sleeping issues to increased sick leave. By building and designing with biophilic principles in mind, these problems can be significantly mitigated.

From C+P: This biophilic office was designed to optimize employee well-being

Moreover, these biophilic principles need to be deeply embedded in architectural and design philosophies. Access to nature needs to be prioritized in order to create the most optimal environments for humans. In other words, biophilia can’t be an afterthought.

Here are some ways architects and designers might integrate biophilia more holistically.

Nature as a necessity, not a tool

Commercial designers that design from a perspective of nature can gain insight and find inspiration to create re-imagined spaces. Using nature as the design driver and not simply another tool––is a necessity. While it is important to strategically include natural elements in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, nature needs to come before design. Therefore, instead of asking a question like, “How can we complement this space with natural elements?” one might ask, “What natural elements are vital for this space?”

When nature comes first, more biophilic needs are satisfied, and the environment appears more organic. It shouldn’t seem as if nature was thrown into the mix at the last minute. Some noteworthy examples of this concept include the Google Quad Campus and the COOKFOX Architects studio.

From Terrapin Bright Green: The COOKFOX studio was designed with nature in mind

Balancing the organic and the artificial is key

Although biophilia aims to restore a connection with nature, it must work hand in hand with constructed materials. As with any design, the elements must be in balance and have relevance. Terrapin Bright Green notes that biophilic design is the inclusion of “aspects of nature that most impact our satisfaction with the built environment.” Designers must uncover how best to implement the principles of Biophilia for each particular space.

A prime example of this balance is the Alliander business park in the Netherlands. The entire environment is outfitted with large skylights, open walkways, and ample vegetation. The natural elements and the constructed architecture work seamlessly together, creating the ideal balance.

From ArchiNed: The Alliander building is an excellent example of the biophilia effect in action

Biophilic design must meet real human needs

The basic premise of biophilia is that humans innately need to participate in nature. By extension, biophilic design must consider these needs and work to fulfill them. This overarching need for nature can be broken down into 14 patterns, which provide a framework for architects and designers. Each of these patterns addresses a fundamental aspect of biophilic needs, and when one or more patterns are utilized in a human-created space, these needs are met.

Station 101, a multi-office building in Westwood, Massachusetts, exemplifies biophilic design that satisfies human needs. Wood and vegetation create a natural connection, while the large windows allow daylight to pour in.

From TerraMai: Station 101 focuses on biophilia with wood and greenery

Commercial architecture has a need for greater usage of biophilic design principles. By using green building materials and keeping biophilic needs in mind, designers can craft environments that make humans happier and healthier.