best examples of biophilic design in learning environments
Ecokid Kindergarten, Vietnam
This nature-inspired kindergarten was designed by LAVA, an architecture studio with offices in Sydney, Stuttgart and Berlin. The client was the Hoo Goong Education Development & Investment with a 6300m2 site in Vinh, near Hanoi in northern Vietnam.
Three semi-circular buildings with three floors each are connected by a series of bridges with multiple outdoor play spaces scattered in between to ensure nature is never far from view, whether indoors in a classroom or outside.
The stripped back building envelopes are characterised by curves, circular glazing and an irregular format with primary colour detailing.
Inside structural pillars and ceilings are masked in yet more curvilear forms, minimizing the presence of right-angles and bringing the play areas in, making them feel safer, less formal and playful.
Everything from the sofas to the indoor swimming pool has been created in the same organic, non linear forms.
LAVA won Gold in the 2019 Sydney Design Awards for the Kindergarten under "Architecture - Public or Institutional".
Kakapo Creek early learning centre, New Zealand - example of biophilic design
Located in Auckland, New Zealand, the Kakapo Creek early learning center was built with the best interest for children and the planet alike, making it a prime example of biophilic design in an educational environment
The center was effectively embedded within the existing natural environment with just three small trees removed during its construction in 2021. A circular-shaped building has an open roofed central courtyard with a playground space for the children, creating an opportunity for biophilia - contact with nature - connecting the indoor and outdoor areas.
A serious of spacious, open-air rooms allow for natural ventilation of the structure, reducing the need for heating and cooling, thereby decreasing carbon impact, through an eco friendly sustainable building design. The center's shape was built around a small stream that passes by the building.
Some of the building materials used within the structure were upcycled from existing houses and native plant roof tops cap the build. The green roof reduces stormwater run-off by over 50%, filtering the water and allowing it to flow back into the stream.
This biophilic learning space of the future provides a nourishing environment for children to grow alongside their natural environment.
Karolinska Institutet Health Promotion Unit, Sweden - biophilic design example
Designed by Biofit and officially opened in January 2018, the Karolinska Institutet’s eco gym was created for the Health Promotion Unit of the university. Located in Stockholm Sweden, the gym was built to enable students and staff to stay active and de-stress throughout the study day, or night!
Using organic interior design elements such as sustainable materials, air-purifying plants, forest aromatherapy, natural colours and greenery, biophilic design is present from floor to ceiling.
The facility has recycled material, moss-like carpets, bamboo camouflaged speakers, Japanese style kokedama moss balls, acoustic moss ceiling panels, a giant Swedish forest wall mural, and wellness lighting.
Natural fitness equipment occupies the gym including eco-friendly sandbags, natural fibre climbing ropes, sustainable wood wall bars, handmade push-up bars and lifting logs, vintage leather medicine balls, sustainable cork foot massage balls, wood gymnastics rings and various other ‘workout toys’ to encourage movement based training.
The Biofit designed Karolinska Institutet eco gym is a natural space where students and staff can build their physical and mental wellness, connecting with and supporting the other spaces nearby for students such as functional training gym, a white light room and yoga studio.
University of Chicago Student Wellness Centre, USA
In a building project completed in 2022, University of Chicago brought together their Student Health Service, Student Counseling Service, and Health Promotion and Wellness group into a single biophilic structure.
The building also acts as a tranquil, restorative space for students to relax and work on their studies. The quality of healthy furniture was a high priority of the biophilic interior design project.
The Student Wellness Center was adorned with sustainable interior furniture to provide nookes of solidarity to encourage collaboration. The quality of healthy furniture was a high priority of the biophilic interior design project.
All pieces were ensured to be clean air certified, minimizing the risk of Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs being emitted from furniture that would end up polluting the indoor air.
These harmful chemicals (don’t be fooled by the friendly ‘organic’ in their name!) have been proven to decrease cognitive functioning, among a slew of other health effects - see here for more on the health risks of VOCs.
By procuring such healthy and sustainable furniture, the interior designers contributed to the cognitive performance and indeed physical health of students and faculty, while minimizing their environmental impact. It’s a win-win!
Many of the internal corridors of the building are softly-lit providing tranquil spaces of relaxation with warm, yellow light and areas designed for productivity are illuminated in full by white light.
The base structure of the Student Wellness Center is a historic, gothic hospital. The new structure engages with the old building’s architecture bringing the natural elements of stone walls and arches within the walls of the center contributing to its biophilic design.
Plants are placed throughout the building to provide green spaces and boost mental health. With a focus on biophilic design, the University of Chicago sought to give students a calm and relaxing space to boost student wellness and productivity.
Green School, Mexico - example biophilic design
Opening in 2023 within a new residential development, the Green School in Tulum follows on from similar successes in Bali and South Africa under the same name and represents what looks to be a truly striking biophilic design for a learning environment.
This early childhood education center will become Mexico’s first truly sustainable school as it is being built from healthy building materials aiming to become as close to carbon neutral as possible upon launch.
Currently under construction, the early visuals show organic structures that curve and bend, avoiding the rectilinear structures of a more urban environment in favor of something entirely more in tune with the verdant surroundings on the Mexican coast.
Sustainable materials include locally sourced wood and moulding stone alongside bamboo. Bamboo is one of the best materials in terms of sustainability as it is a fast growing grass that regenerates each time it is cut and does not need to be replanted. This allows repeated, plentiful harvests from the same crop.
This is the type of knowledge that will be taught in the future green school of tulum as classes will encourage a green community, lifestyle, and future.
Sustainability classes are among many others that stand out from the school's projected curriculum. Humanities, Spanish, and Mayan will also be taught to preserve culture alongside the Earth.
Eastern Bay Area Experimental School - example biophilic design
The Eastern Greater Bay Area Experimental School by CMAD Architects lies in the heart of Shenzhen, China where the surging demand for education and an increasing shortage of land has prompted a trend towards learning centers that build up vertically instead of spreading out laterally.
To increase students’ spatial bond with the environment, to ensure they are in contact with biophilic design and nature during their study days in other words, the CMAD architectural team created terraced or stacked roof space to achieve optimal use of a limited area.
Open-air learning spaces provides students an increased connection to natural biophilic spaces while also offering venues for recreation and activity such as sports fields, a track, and outdoor seating.
Not only does this terraced roof design create increased space, it also allows the building to shape to the land it is built upon as the terraces reflect the natural terrain around them, integrating a sense of place into the architecture.