This document discusses biophilic design, which aims to reconnect humans with nature in the built environment. It is based on the theory of biophilia, which posits that humans have an evolutionary connection to nature that is important for health and well-being. The document outlines how biophilic design incorporates natural elements and principles to promote benefits like reduced stress, improved focus and health indoors where people spend most of their time. It examines key research on biophilic patterns like visual connections to nature, air flow variability, and use of natural materials that mimic the outdoors.

1. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Bridging The Gap Between Nature & the Built Environment

2. ABSTRACT
Since the Industrial Revolution, the built environment and urban areas have exploded at an
unprecedentedratenotseeninanyothertimeinhumanhistory.Whereweonceevolvedanddevelopedin
naturalsettings,todaywespendover90%ofourtimeindoorssurroundedbydrywall,concrete,wood,andsteel.
Biophilic design aims to remedy this modern disconnect with nature and fulfill the
longing that humans have to be immersed in the natural environment. This thesis will
examine biophilia, the theory that we are innately and evolutionarily programmed to respond
positively to nature, and that maintaining this connection is crucial to human health and well-being.
Thisthesiswillexploreandemphasizekeyresearchofbiophilicdesign,implementation,howitgoesbeyond
"green"designorbeinga"fad",reducesstress,increasesproductivity,creativity,andimprovesover-allhealth.
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Bridging The Gap Between Nature & the Built Environment
© 2014 Paul Ramoie
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3. "Psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term
["biophilia"] in 1964 as a way of describing the
innate attraction to processes of life and growth."
~ Adam Leith Gollner
Wait, what is Biophilia?
Biophilia is the theory that humans have an innate or
evolutionary-based affinity for nature.
It is the belief that we have a connection and a reliance on
nature that has been passed along through evolution.
Contact with nature is essential to human health and
well-being.
Based on this theory, a framework has been developed that
will reconnect humans and nature within the built
environment. This framework is biophilic design, which
incorporates organic design and vernacular design princi-
ples to interior and exterior architecture.
Biophilic design seeks to create a positive connection
between people and the environment as well as promoting
health and well-being.
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4. "To experience biophilia is to love a diversity
that, as limitless as it is fragile, both haunts us
and fills us with hope."
~ Adam Leith Gollner
Benefits of Biophilia
Scientific research show that humans spend over 90% of
their time indoors.
Biophilic design emphasizes minimal environmental
impact & restores beneficial contacts between people and
nature in the built environment. Biophilic design focuses on
a multitude of senses as well as the bodywell-being.
Natural & simulated visual connection with nature leads to
reduced stress, improved concentration and attention,
reduced blood pressure and heart rates, increased work
productivity, positive emotional and mental state, reduced
fatigue, sadness, anger and aggression.
Humans have an intrinsic longing to be in harmony with na-
ture & are evolutionarily programmed to respond positively
to well-lighted or sunny areas over dark or overcast
settings.
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5. "We should bring as much of nature as we can into our everyday
environments so as to experience it first-hand; second, we need
to shape our built environment to incorporate those same
geometrical qualities found in nature."
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"Mimicking within built environments the features of the natural
habitat humans prefer is a logical next step for the green design
movement." ~ Herman Miller

6. Branches of Biophilia
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7. Nature in the Space Patterns
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 Patterns
8. Biomorphic Forms & Patterns
9. Material Connection with Nature
10. Complexity & Order
Nature of the Space Patterns
11. Prospect
12. Refuge
13. Mystery
14. Risk/Peril
Visual Connection with Nature.
A view to elements of nature, living systems and
natural processes.
Thermal & Airflow Variability
Subtle changes in air temperature, relative humidity,
airflow across the skin, and surface temperatures that
mimic natural environments.
Dynamic & Diffuse Light
Leverages varying intensities of light and shadow that
change over time to create conditions that occur
in nature.
Material Connection with Nature
Materials and elements from nature that, through
minimal processing, reflect the local ecology or
geology and create a distinct sense of place.
14 Patterns of Biophilic Design
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8. "In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks..."~ John Muir
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9. Look deep into nature, and then you
will understand everything better.
~ Albert Einstein
THANK YOU
© 2014 Paul Ramoie