What is biophilic design? Biophillic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of nature.
In plain language, biophillia is that human connection we have when we are at one with nature. It is that feeling of peace and quiet when you are staring mindlessly at the ocean. Or absorbing a beautiful view of mountains and lakes or meandering through a tropical forest. It can also be when you leave the city and spend some time in the bush. Your whole body just relaxes and a sense of calm wafts over you as you ponder the magnificence of nature. You feel at one with your surroundings.
This is a very strong feeling for most of our species, and we only realise how much we miss it when we go back to nature – our happy place!
Studies have shown how this phenomeon/ culture promotes health and emotional well being and assists with stress management. It connects with your soul at a very deep level.
In design circles, there has been a really strong trend to captulate this feeling with our modern environments. For example designers are going back to natural products and incorporating trees and plants and flowers as part of the design. Almost bringing nature indoors.
Spa’s and wellness establishments are perfectly suited to this trend. Gone are the days of spa’s and salons being clinically clean, white and minimalistic. Today the new look and feel is to add bold plant statements that are welcoming and homely.
It is like when you have a row of restaurants to choose from and you tend to go to the one that is the most inviting, which nowadays has an abundance of plants and gives you that feeling of tranquility.
Plants soften the environment, provide privacy as well as assist with sound absorbtion. There are many ways of incorporating botanicals into your design.
There are obviously pots with trees, vertical gardens, hanging ceiling plants, botanical wall papers and digital printing. Those same studies have found that the human brain does not distingiush between live plants or fake. In other words, whether or not you use live or artificial plants it still has the same biophillic effect. There are huge advantages to using artificial as they have become extremely realistic and negate the worry of disruptive service teams having to disturb your customers to maintain live plants.
A profesional designer will know exactly how to tastefully mix plants into a clever design. Spa’s generally do not have excessive space, so they definitely require maximum space planning and ingenius use of planting on walls and ceilings. Biophillic Design will not only improve your customers experience but will increase your profitability in returning clients.
For more information or consultation on how we can create your beautiful space, contact the author on 082 330 0742 or www.distinctivespaces.co.za.
