Presentation given at Gulf Coast Green 2016 by Jonce Walker of Terrepin

1. Tidal wetlands at Brooklyn Bridge Park. © Julienne Schaer/Flickr.
Jonce Walker, LEED AP, CSBABIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Biophilic Urban Interventions
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban Places

2. BIOPHILIA
WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
“Biophilia...
is the innately emotional affiliation
of human beings to other living
organisms....
Life around us exceeds in complexity
and beauty anything else humanity is
ever likely to encounter.”
Edward O. Wilson
The Biophilia Hypothesis
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
CookFox Green Roof © CookFox Architects

3. Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
14 PATTERNS OF
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Nature In The Space
1. Visual Connection with Nature
2. Non-Visual Connection with Nature
3. Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
4. Thermal Airflow Variability
5. Presence of Water
6. Dynamic Diffuse Light
7. Connection With Natural Systems
Natural Analogues
8. Biomorphic Forms Patterns
9. Material Connection with Nature
10. Complexity Order
Nature Of The Space
11. Prospect
12. Refuge
13. Mystery
14. Risk
DOCKSIDE GREEN © Adriana/Flickr

4. BIOPHILIC URBAN
ACUPUNCTURE
WHAT IS BUA?
“BUA...
is the theory that threads and nodes
of biophilic interventions in specific
urban places can help improve
people’s moods, connect people to
place, help improve mental health....
it is more effective in dense cities
versus suburban places due to the
ease of pedestrian mobility.
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Brooklyn rain gardens. © Suzanne DeChillo

5. The HighLine© NYC Parks
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS

6. THE HIGHLINE - NYC
Biophilic Urban Acupuncture:
-High Pedestrian Use
-Mobility Corridor
-Dwell Time
Biophilic Patterns:
-Visual Connection with Nature
-Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
-Presence of Water
-Connection with Natural Systems
-Prospect
-Risk / Peril
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
The HighLine© NYC Parks

7. PopUp Forest © Noel Y.C.
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS

8. POPUP FOREST - NYC
Biophilic Urban Acupuncture:
-High Pedestrian Use
-Mobility Cooridor
-Dwell Time
Biophilic Patterns:
-Visual Connection with Nature
-Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
-Refuge
-Mystery
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
PopUp Forest © Noel Y.C.

9. Brooklyn Bridge Park © John Street
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS

10. BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK TIDAL
MARSH - NYC
Biophilic Urban Acupuncture:
-High Pedestrian Use
-Mobility Cooridor
-Dwell Time
-Ephemeral
Biophilic Patterns:
-Visual Connection with Nature
-Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
-Presense of Water
-Connection with Natural Systems
-Material Connection with Nature
-Risk / Peril
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Brooklyn Bridge Park © John Street

11. Bryan Park © Dan DeLuca via Flickr
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS

12. BRYANT PARK SUBWAY - NYC
Biophilic Urban Acupuncture:
-High Pedestrian Use
-Mobility Cooridor
Biophilic Patterns:
-Biomorphic Forms and Patterns
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Bryant Park Subway © Samm Kunce

13. Planters in Sunnyside Queens © NYC
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS

14. STREET PLANTERS - NYC
Biophilic Urban Acupuncture:
-High Pedestrian Use
-Mobility Cooridor
-Dwell Time
Biophilic Patterns:
-Visual Connection with Nature
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Forsyth Street © Steven Vance via Flickr

15. GUERILLA GARDEN © Greenbook Pages
Guerrilla Gardening
DIY BIOPHILIC DESIGN
GUERRILLA GARDEN BOOMBOX © MARK HOLLSWORTH
BIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban Places

16. Seed Bomb
Newspaper Box Garden © Wired
Streets of Melbourne
© Mark Hollsworth Tree Pit
Streets of Melbourne
© Mark Hollsworth
Grow House
© SA Studios
Phoenix Grow House © Downtown Phoenix Journal
Moss Art
BIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban Places

17. PARKING DAY © Onward State
Parklets / ParkingDay
DIY BIOPHILIC DESIGN
PARKLET © CITY OF PHOENIX
BIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban Places

18. SF Park(ing) Day © ReBar
Park(ing) Day Poster © Park(ing)
Day
Park(ing) Day in London
© The Green Dots Park(ing) Day
Park(ing) Day at ASLA
© ASLA
Park(ing) Day in Brazil
© Royston Rascals
Parklet in Bellingham WA © AZ Highways
Parklet in Boston © Boston Biz Journal
BIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban Places

19. Brooklyn Bridge Park © Michael Sofronski via NY Post
Applying Nature-Based Design to Urban PlacesBIOPHILIC URBAN INTERVENTIONS
“THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC VENEER, THE VEGETAL WORLD, MUST NOT BE OVERLAID BY A
MAN-CAUSED OPAQUE VENEER.”
-PAOLO SOLERI