Introduction to Biophilia in Architecture

Biophilia, a term that has become increasingly synonymous with architectural design in recent years, traces its roots back to ancient Greek, where it means ‘love of life’ or ‘love of living things.’ The term was popularised by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1964, who described biophilia as a psychological orientation towards all forms of life. Building on this concept, biologist E.O. Wilson further developed the idea in his 1984 book Biophilia, suggesting that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature.

Wilson’s work posited that this connection is not merely beneficial but essential to human well-being. His theories served as a catalyst for a new wave in architectural design, shifting away from the institutional, cold, and utilitarian nature of styles like Brutalism, Modernism, and Minimalism. In contrast to these approaches, biophilic design sought to reintroduce elements of nature into built environments, addressing the emotional and psychological needs of individuals by fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

As architectural designers in today’s world look to address the sustainability and wellbeing aspirations at the industry’s forefront, biophilic design is becoming a central theme across all sectors and spaces. We are now beginning to understand the true benefits for individuals’ health, cognitive function and stress reduction, by incorporating elements such as fauna, natural light, water and natural materials. This article explores the core principles of biophilic architecture, and potential challenges in the industry.

The Principles of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design is underpinned by several established frameworks, most notably Terrapin Bright Green’s 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and Stephen Kellert’s Six Principles of Biophilic Design.

These frameworks provide actionable strategies for incorporating nature into architecture, emphasising the human need for connection with the natural world and the profound impact this connection has on well-being and comfort. We will focus on the former throughout this article, and supported by case studies we look to illustrate their practical application in modern architectural design.

Nature in the Space

The physical and sensory presence of natural elements within a built environment. This includes visible elements like plants, water, and animals, as well as more ephemeral aspects such as sounds, smells, and the feeling of changing light or breeze.

• Visual Connection with Nature and Presence of Water provide restorative benefits, including reduced stress and enhanced concentration. 

• Thermal and Airflow Variability introduces subtle, natural changes in temperature or airflow, offering sensory engagement that mimics outdoor environments.

• Dynamic and Diffuse Light replicates natural lighting conditions, creating spaces that shift organically throughout the day. By embedding these patterns into designs, spaces not only become visually appealing but also promote psychological well-being and physiological relaxation.

Case Study: Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

There’s a multitude of projects around the world that exemplify biophilic design principles, and Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport is a standout example. At its heart lies the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, standing 40 meters high. The dynamic cascade of water simulates the sensory richness of natural environments, offering visitors an immersive experience reminiscent of a rainforest. Surrounding the waterfall is the Shiseido Forest Valley, a terraced indoor garden featuring over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs sourced globally. This lush greenery creates a tranquil microclimate, providing a serene escape from the often hectic and stressful atmosphere of air travel.

The glass-domed canopy above allows an abundance of natural light to flood the space, creating a bright, welcoming environment. This integration of daylight is a key element of biophilic design, as it supports circadian rhythms, enhances mood, and promotes overall well-being. By blending innovative architecture with natural elements, the Jewel transforms an otherwise utilitarian transit hub into a distinctive destination for travellers and locals alike. It serves as a pioneering model for future airport design, demonstrating how biophilia can reimagine urban spaces to prioritise human comfort and connection to nature.

Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Image

Case Study: Madrid Atocha Train Station, Spain

Madrid Atocha Train station serves as a more historic example of biophilia being utilised to mitigate the stressful and high intensity environments through it’s principles. The station houses an expansive indoor tropical garden, which features over 7,000 plants from more than 260 species. These plants are arranged within a large atrium space, creating a vibrant green oasis in the heart of a bustling urban environment. The garden serves as a natural respite for passengers, providing a stark contrast to the industrial feel of train travel whilst contributing to increased humidity levels and improved air quality, which can help create a more comfortable environment for passengers.

More than just a visual feature, the tropical garden is designed for interaction and engagement. Strategically placed benches and walkways invite passengers to linger and connect with the space, whether through quiet moments of relaxation, social interactions, or reflective activities like reading. This biophilic approach enriches the station’s identity as a cultural and social space, showcasing how thoughtful integration of nature into architecture can redefine public infrastructure.

Photo: Archjourney

Natural Analogues

Indirect representations of nature, like biomorphic patterns, textures, or materials that mimic natural forms.

• Biomorphic Forms & Patterns and Material Connection with Nature incorporate organic designs, such as flowing curves or textures resembling wood grain and stone, to evoke a sense of place and belonging.

• Complexity and Order adds an additional layer, balancing intricacy with coherence, akin to the structured chaos found in fractals and other natural systems

Case Study: The Spine, Liverpool

The design of The Spine building in Liverpool exemplifies the principles of biophilic design, particularly within the ‘Natural Analogue’ category. A striking feature of the building is its patterned façade, which is inspired by the Voronoi diagram, a mathematical model that mimics natural formations such as the cellular structure of human skin. This façade consists of 23 million individual polygons, each crafted through digital modelling, creating a dynamic surface that casts internal shadows reminiscent of a forest canopy.

These shadows change throughout the day, providing a constantly evolving environment that engages with the passage of time, much like the practice of Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, which encourages immersion in nature. The shifting patterns of light and shadow, combined with natural light exposure and the seasonal changes, foster an awareness of natural processes. This helps occupants to align with their circadian rhythms, promoting well-being and a deeper connection to natural sleep cycles.

Internally, the building subtly integrates elements of biophilic design. The concept focuses on enhancing occupant connectivity with the natural environment, using direct and indirect elements of nature – natural analogues, as well as spatial arrangements. One example is the building’s vertical sky gardens, which are designed as abstract representations of human lungs. These double-height gardens are interconnected by timber-clad helical staircases, and feature a variety of plants and trees. These plants have been chosen for their air-purifying properties, increasing oxygen levels in areas where people gather and work.

Continuing the connection through natural analogues there is internal timber cladding along mullions and transoms, with more abstract references such as exposed concrete columns which are moulded to reflect the trabecular system within human bones, which is the strongest part of a bone for reflecting mechanical stress. 

The Spine, Liverpool. Photo Credit: ahr

Nature of the Space

Spatial configurations that evoke the feeling of being in nature, such as prospect and refuge or dynamic lighting conditions.

• Prospect and Refuge address our innate need for open views to assess surroundings and enclosed areas for safety and retreat.

• Mystery introduces the allure of the unknown, enticing exploration through partially obscured views or winding paths.

• Risk/Peril adds a thrill element, combining perceived danger with safety, like a glass-floored bridge over a canyon. These patterns engage our primal instincts, making spaces both stimulating and comforting.

Case Study: Eden Project, United Kingdom

The Eden Project is an excellent example of how biophilic design can shape the way we experience and navigate spaces, using patterns such as Prospect and Refuge, Mystery, and Risk/Peril. The design of the biomes strikes a balance between wide, open views and more intimate, enclosed spaces, reflecting our natural need for both exploration and safety. The expansive domes give visitors expansive views of the surrounding landscape (Prospect), while the internal plant displays create more sheltered areas (Refuge). This interplay of openness and seclusion draws visitors in, offering both a sense of freedom and comfort.

The Mystery pattern comes into play through the winding paths and partially obscured views within the Eden Project. These design elements encourage exploration, with each turn revealing new surprises and inviting curiosity. The experience is one of discovery, as visitors are led through the space without seeing it all at once. The Risk/Peril aspect is subtly woven into the space, particularly in the Rainforest Biome, which simulates a tropical environment with its dense foliage, humidity, and exotic plants. While the space is safe and controlled, it evokes the excitement and thrill of being in an untamed environment, combining the thrill of potential risk with the security of the carefully designed surroundings. These design principles work together to create a captivating and immersive experience that helps visitors feel deeply connected to nature.

Challenges

On its face, biophilic design philosophy is hard to undermine with it’s seemingly obvious benefits to humans which the incorporation of the above principles can facilitate, though there are challenges and hurdles architectural designs may face when entwining them into projects:

• Cost Prohibitive: Biophilic design often requires significant upfront investment in materials, systems, and specialised design features. Elements such as natural materials, living walls, or integrated green spaces can be expensive to incorporate, especially in projects with tight budgets. Additionally, the maintenance of these features can add ongoing costs.

• Hard to Quantify Benefits: One of the major challenges of biophilic design is the difficulty in quantifying its direct benefits. While numerous studies suggest that exposure to nature improves well-being, productivity, and cognitive function, these benefits can be subjective and vary from person to person. This makes it harder for designers and clients to justify the investment, especially when compared to other design approaches with more easily measurable outcomes.

• Seen as Superfluous: Biophilic elements, especially in commercial or high-density urban environments, are sometimes viewed as non-essential or “nice-to-have” rather than crucial components of a building’s functionality. This perception can be particularly prevalent in industries focused primarily on cost reduction or efficiency.

• Climate Constraints: Not all climates are conducive to the extensive use of nature-inspired elements, and with the rapidly evolving climate providing more frequent extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, high humidity, or intense sunlight, this can affect the sustainability of biophilic design elements like living walls or open courtyards.

• Technically Demanding: Implementing biophilic design can be technically demanding, as seen in the case studies above, requiring advanced knowledge in architecture and engineering. Further to this, the integration of living elements into the built environment also necessitates ongoing maintenance and monitoring, which can be challenging for both architects and building managers alike.

Eden Project Cornwall, Cornwall, UK. Image Credit Grimshaw Architects

Conclusion

If you have followed our previous articles following the principles of designing for Neurodivergence and Neurodegenerative conditions, biophilic design has been shown to offer a range of benefits for such individuals by promoting well-being through natural elements and patterns. This design approach, which integrates natural materials, lighting, plants, and organic shapes into built environments, has a direct impact on cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical health.

For neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, biophilic design can provide calming environments that reduce sensory overload. By using natural light, soft textures, and varied but soothing colour schemes, biophilic spaces create an atmosphere that supports concentration, comfort, and emotional stability. The presence of plants, natural textures, and views of the outdoors can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve mood, which is particularly beneficial in spaces such as schools, workplaces, and healthcare facilities.

Biophilic design can also support neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Evidence suggests that incorporating nature-inspired elements into spaces for individuals with these conditions improves cognitive function, reduces agitation, and enhances emotional well-being. Features like natural lighting, sensory gardens, and the use of plant life can stimulate memory, evoke positive emotions, and help maintain a sense of connection to the environment.

In conclusion, biophilic design offers a transformative approach to creating environments that support the well-being of all individuals. By integrating elements such as natural light, plant life, and sensory features, this design philosophy fosters spaces that are calming and therapeutic while also stimulating cognitive function and emotional health. Whether in transport hubs, workplaces, or healthcare settings, biophilic design has the potential to improve quality of life and promote comfort. Biophilia, rooted in our intrinsic connection to nature, has long been a part of architectural design. Going forward, it serves as a powerful tool for creating inclusive and health-focused spaces.

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References and Further Reading

TerrapinBrightGreen: 14 patterns of Biophilia

http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/14-Patterns-10th-anniv-ed-2024.pdf

TerrapinBrightGreen; The Economics of Biophilia

http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EOB2-Terrapin-2023-e.pdf

Stephen Kellert, The Practice of Biophillic Design:

https://biophilicdesign.umn.edu/sites/biophilic-net-positive.umn.edu/files/2021-09/2015_Kellert

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Author

Liam is a Chartered Senior Architectural Technologist at a leading architectural practice in Manchester. He serves as the CIAT Aspiration Chair for the Northwest region and tutors at the University of Salford. Liam regularly contributes to the Architectural Technology Journal.

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