ISTD - BIOPHILIA

ISTD Biophilia Maria Windsor

“We must cultivate our own garden.” Voltaire

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA The term biophilia was made popular by the American ecologist Edward O Wilson in the 1980’s, in simple terms the concept of biophilia refers a love of nature, originating from the Greek word ‘Philia’ meaning an affectionate love, when linked with bio it becomes a love of life/living organisms . In its truest form biophilia denotes that humankind has a genetic connection with the natural world around it, one which stems from the ruralist lifestyles of their ancestors. In his 1993 book ‘Biophilia and the Conservation Ethic’ Wilson describes biophilia as an “innate emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms”. The naturalist, philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote that “We need the tonic of wildness—to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk, and hear the booming of the snipe; to smell the whispering sedge where only some wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its belly close to the ground” The theory of biophilia show that humankind not only loves nature but are genetically predisposed to need it. Humankind came from wilderness, living in the arms of mother earth and father sky, with traditions that guided their existence. Thousands of years of urbanism have tamed humanity, but there is a desire for a reconnection with nature.

WHY IS BIOPHILIA IMPORTANT Wilson suggested that most people living in the Western society were most likely suffering a form of deprivation because of a lack of natural stimuli due to rising rates of urbanisation. The World Health Organisation state that stress related illness, such as mental health disorders and cardio- vascular disease are connected the increased pressures of urban life and the lack of opportunity to spend time in nature. Technically, nature is all around us, but the quality of interaction with nature has changed, more people are living in urban environments, and its estimated by 2050 two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in built-up areas, research shows that humankind is spending a large amount of time separated from nature, in the range of 90% of our time is spent indoors or commuting. Wilson believed that contact with the natural world was essential for normal mental development, this is why Biophilia is of such importance to the health and well-being of humankind. Studies have shown the positive benefits of interaction with nature, these include lower levels of stress, improved productivity and learning and even improved recovery rates following illnesses.

WHY IS BIOPHILIA IMPORTANT Biophilic design integrates the wellness that is experienced from being in nature and brings it into the urban environment, creating spaces that boost mood, productivity and wellbeing, aligning the indoors and outdoors. Biophilic design makes interiors that are multi-sensory, bringing together elements that have a positive impact of the inhabitants, those include sustainable organic materials, air purifying plants, water features, fluid landscaping and enhancing the access to natural light and views of nature. Research has shown that the use of biophilic design can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rates, whilst also increasing productivity, creativity and wellbeing. In 1984 a study by Roger Ulrich stated that healthcare patients given a view of nature recovered faster than those with a view of a brick wall, this goes to show how important Biophilic design is, and that Biophilia plays a key part to the wellbeing of humankind.

“TO FORGET HOW TO DIG THE EARTH AND TO TEND THE SOIL IS TO FORGET OURSELVES.” MAHATMA GANDHI



INITIAL AREAS OF INTEREST Sacred geometry in nature Natural forms/seeds and plants Artforms in nature Microscopic nature

SACRED GEOMETRY IN NATURE

NATURAL FORMS/ SEEDS AND PLANTS

ARTFORMS IN NATURE

MICROSCOPIC NATURE



INITIAL DESIGN EXPERIMENTS

INITIAL DESIGN EXPERIMENTS

INITIAL DESIGN EXPERIMENTS