Page 58 - 2021 SDCA Project

BIOPHILIC DESIGN:
How We Used the Wellbeing Science of Nature and Captured the Love of Life in Your Project
Our process utilized many research-driven approaches such as environmental
psychology and wayfinding to support your goals, the learning success of your
collaborators and the overall wellbeing of everyone in your space.
One of the bodies of research used was the field of Biophilia-specifically
Biophilic Design. Literally translated, Biophlia means the Love of Life.
Biophilic design can be described as the healing science of nature. Imagine
how you feel when you are in nature. Biophilic design seeks to pull that
experience - that sense of intrigue, wonder and awe - into the spaces where
we spend our lives.
Integrating biophilia as a design driver for a project’s site, building and interior
design has been shown to reduce stress, increase learning and productivity
rates, reduce time it takes to heal from surgery, and support the growth of our
overall wellbeing.
When we are in spaces that inspire us - we know it. We feel it. Biophilic
design is the research-driven science of how to pull the healing aspects of
nature into our everyday spaces.
The field of biophilia goes far beyond plants, expanding into over 73
attributes. The goal is not to integrate all 73 of course. The goal instead, is to
identify the essence of this projects’ sense of place and align this with the
project goals for organizational success. This is done best through a
collaborative and integrative process involving key project stakeholders
throughout the design process-like the one used for this project.
Your organization is doing such inspiring work. Below are some of the many
ways we incorporated the healing benefits of the essence of nature throughout
your site, building and interior to support your goals and overall quality of life.
● Site plan that encourages a sense of play, creativity and wonder designed
to inspire people to linger and explore in nature individually as well as in
groups.
● Strong indoor-outdoor connection through elements such windows
providing optimal views from occupied spaces.
● Integration of natural materials throughout the site, building and interior.
● Sustainability strategies integrated throughout to reduce energy and water
use which educates us on the importance of caring for our environment.
● Hands-on learning opportunities such as edible portions of the site
landscaping. This allows the opportunity to integrate the site into course
curriculum. This can help highlight the growth cycle of life and care taking to
connect students with nature-driven concepts and an ecosystem larger than
themselves.
If you have any questions on the integration of biophilia, its benefits and project
or course-curriculum integration approaches please contact Bonnie
Casamassima at bonnie@InterweavePeoplePlace.com or 404.953.9037. I’m
happy to speak to your class or share a lunch and learn conversation.
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