Biophilic Design is the hot new-ish architectural philosophy of connecting a dwelling occupant to their natural environment, using direct and indirect nature, as well as space and place conditions. So what does this design philosophy mean for residential and commercial dwellers? Let’s take a dive into the idea of a responsive, living, breathing spaces.
Home as an Extension of Nature
Humans need nature deeply and fundamentally. However, we have historically designed our cities, homes, and workspaces in ways that both degrade the environment and alienate us from nature. The “Healthy Home” catchphrase points toward creating healthy and productive habitats to pull us back into nature and rebalance our delicate bodies, leaving us more vibrant and productive.
Toxic Environments
There is daunting evidence that our homes are making us sick. Some of the toxins flow in from outside and infiltrate the places where we take refuge. And more come from within. Structural and design materials off-gas for months and even years before safe levels are achieved.
Filterable environmental pollutants that gather in the home and commercial spaces can be broken down into three main categories: Air, Water, and Light. And then a fourth category, sleep, can be added. Each of these can be resolved by innovative home wellness technologies.
- Water: According to the NRDC, Arsenic, Copper, and Lead have been found in water in every state of the nation. Other contaminants include agricultural products, sewage, wastewater, oil, and radioactive substances.
- Air: Air pollution is the 5th leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Light: with all the time we spend indoors (about 90% currently), we do not get adequate stimulation from the sun, leading to endocrine disruption.
- Sleep: Light effects hormone synthesis and sleep quality…and therefore…everything.
Creating a Wellscape
Air cleansing systems can be installed and controlled individually in each room for a clean and pleasant climate that will allow you to breathe easily, eliminating allergins that once inflamed your head, neck, chest, and skin.
Water filtration starts at the main entry source for your dwelling. So not only drinking water but also shower and gardening water are clear, osmotically balanced, and of the purest quality. Your smart home will even tell you when the filter needs to be changed.
Light and sleep are so intimately related, they can be discussed together. Lighting design includes bulbs and fixture configurations that are so intelligent, they can communicate and adjust throughout the day to mimic the natural phases of the sun and moon. If your body is exposed to the correct levels, temperatures, and hues of light, then your circadian rhythm keeps your endocrine system in a happy homeostatic balance. And with that comes deep, restful, rejuvenating sleep. Therefore your immune system can do its job. And you feel the difference emotionally and physically.
Responsive Biophilia
A responsive biophilic space not only contributes to more energy and a brighter outlook. You get to create unique scenes with your smart healthy home features, including lighting, music, TV screens, climate control, and more. A healthy home plan accentuates all of your smart home technology.
It takes a lot of design components to create a flawless biophilic dwelling space. Your home automation team can integrate these wellscape designs into a smart and unique plan that is perfect for you. And once it is done, the rewards far outway the investment.
Bring Nature Inside
Humans are “…deprived of the clean air, cool breezes, warm and sticky climates, 24/7 daylight patterns, sounds, smells, movement, and visual connections that are supposed to make us tick. Instead, we’re sick. Nature can make us whole again…” –CEPro News
So call your home automation expert first. And then go grab some luscious, green, air-purifying plant babies for design inspiration.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about Biophilic Design for your space, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
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