Well-being Supported by Science
I first encountered biophilia when I researched feng shui a few years ago. The more I learned how it affected Chinese beliefs in their design choices, the more I felt, “I want to have the proof”. Biophilia is one of contemporary architectural theories that also values the connections with nature and people, but with a scientific approach. Despite its short history, it successfully proved some of the feng shui knowledge that has been passed on for over 7,000 years in the Chinese culture. I wanted to briefly introduce it, since it is one element that is always significant in my design process.
Biophilia: the innately emotional affiliation of human being to other living organisms.
The term was created by a German social psychologist Erich Fromm in 1965, and popularized by a socio-biologist Edward O. Wilson in his book, Biophilia (1984). He argued that human beings genetically affiliate with nature and other life-forms.
Biophilia design is increasingly studied for healthcare and hospitality today to encourage health and well-being. It seeks to connect our biological need to associate with nature in the structured environment. It is significant as we have separated from the natural environment over time and become to spend as much as 90 percent of our life indoor. It incorporates natural elements into the living area including light, greenery, color, etc. in an entire environment rather than in an isolated or transient manner.
One famous study conducted by the professor of the department of psychology Peter H. Kahn Jr. et al. tested the physical and psychological effects of experiencing nature. 90 participants were exposed to one of three settings: (1) a glass window with a natural scene, (2) a plasma window with a real-time HDTV view of the same scene, or (3) a blank wall. They concluded that the heart rate recovery from low-level stress was better from a glass window than a blank wall. What caught my attention was that there was no significant difference between looking at a nature scene on a plasma window versus a blank wall. The image on the plasma screen was a live recording of the same nature scene observed through the glass window -thus “real” natural depictions are recognized as different and impactful by the human mind..
What does it mean to our well-being and usage of materials in each space? I would like to achieve visual satisfaction as well as well-being in my design. The attached image is a wellness center designed to help raise awareness for benefits from the connection with nature and communities.