Biophilic design CONSULTANT & INTERIOR DESIGNERS

The elements of biophilic design at our disposal as an interior designer cover both direct and indirect biophilia, from air-purifying plants to living walls, flooring, wall decor, acoustic panels, artworks, sound, scent, fabrics and upholstery. Essentially we are looking to using a biophilic design concept to improve the indoor air quality, boost occupant mood and productivity whilst reducing stress levels.

In terms of wellbeing, interior spaces featuring a biophilic design concept have been proven in scientific research studies to reduce anxiety, enhance mood, restore concentration and creativity levels and provide a sense of vitality / nature-connectedness. True biophilic design also incorporates sustainable design principles in order to minimize environmental impact to an absolute minimum. This should be an integral part of the interior design process.

Any definition of biophilic design will likely suggests it can transform a space into a harmonious collection of natural elements that boost mood, productivity and wellbeing. Integrating a sense of place through local artworks and materials is one example, as are using natural patterns and textures.

The glue that holds it all together in our opinion as biophilia experts advising developers, landlords and tenants however, is the less tangible concept of natural beauty. Interiors that nourish the soul are good for overall occupant happiness levels.

The value system behind biophilic interior design entails using sustainably sourced organic materials such as wood, cork, wool, leather and stone.

A biophilic design concept can also integrate circular economy materials made from coffee grinds, railroad timber, seaweed and coconut fibre, amongst many others.

We also specialise in plant-based materials, fruit byproduct materials, upcycled ocean plastic fabrics amongst others. This approach ensures an elemental, cohesive aesthetic every time.

We design biophilic outdoor spaces, multi-sensory recharge rooms or ‘restorative spaces’ with a strong connection to nature as a way to stimulate physical or mental activity, exposure to daylight and enhance overall wellbeing in building occupants. These are especially relevant for healthy coworking offices and workspaces for example.

A key component of the WELL Building Standard, FITWEL healthy building, Living Building Challenge and LEED green building systems, recharge rooms and outdoor spaces with landscaping or other natural features have been proven to reduce stress and promote feelings of vitality through biophilia.

From faux flower installations to nature-inspired wall murals, botanical artworks, moss mosaics, terrariums and more, there is a myriad of such ‘indirect’ representations of nature available to us as biophilic designers.

These solutions are ideally suited to spaces with low or no natural light, meaning living plants would struggle to survive. Even such representations of nature provide many of the same stress-reducing mental health properties as living plants without the operational responsibility.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese concept meaning beauty in natural imperfection, a key tenet of organic interior design.

We implement this concept in our biophilic interior consulting work via the introduction of natural, organic and handmade artworks, rugs, sculptures, fabrics and materials that add patina and texture to a biophilic interior space.

This is in contrast to industrialized, machine-made materials that lack the natural patina of age - a key concept in biophilic design principles.

So while this design aesthetic may be less applicable to an office design consultancy assignment, it is especially relevant for hotels, resorts, restaurants and residential contexts.

One of the main benefits of biophilic design is that it straddles the world of sustainable green buildings and healthy buildings, even playing a role in wellbeing interior design.

Projects pursuing LEED, BREEAM, WELL (see our article on this subject here) or Living Building Challenge for example, will all receive recognition for integrating elements of biophilic design, such as landscaping, gardens, views of nature and plant walls.

Interestingly, one biophilic design concept can easily score on both certifications, meaning it delivers plenty of bang for the buck! So the “what is biophillic design?” can often be answered from two different angles!

We define biophilia as ‘the human love of or need for a close connection with nature and other forms of life' - an attempt to reunite indoor and outdoor worlds through the sensitive use of natural materials, shapes, breezes, colors, scents, and sounds in urban architecture and interiors.

As biophilic design consultants working in the healthy buildings sector, we view biophilic design as being a fundamentally Triple Bottom Line concept as it brings benefits for People, Planet and bottom line Profit.

As part of a wellness interior inspired by nature and maximized for wellbeing benefits, various options are available to integrate mood-boosting, stress reducing sounds.

These would ideally be recorded nature sounds from nearby locations with seasonal variations but high-quality, pre-recorded wellness sound playlists are also available from a number of brands such as Delos and Swell.

For more info on our expert biophilic sounds partner Swell see here.

Spaces maximized for biophilic design benefits aim to make the most use of the natural daylight available, allowing it to filter through into the core of the building’s floor plate.

Smart lighting systems with LED bulbs can provide different light tones and intensities during the day to follow the body’s natural 24hr cycle.

A combination of natural daylight, task lights (e.g. desk lamps or bedside lamps), uplights (e.g. standing lamps) and ceiling lights on a smart system will all help create an interior designed for wellbeing.

Why Choose Our Biophilic Design Consultants?

Our role as biophilic designers goes from the masterplan phase into concept design, detailed design and fit-out phases, with post-occupancy deliverables such as occupant satisfaction surveys.

Understanding the role of biophilic design in building certifications such as BREEAM, WELL and FITWEL ensures smooth integration into a wider project team alongside architects, engineers, lighting designers, acoustics consultants and client representatives.

Journal articles related to biophilic design