Biophilic design is the latest trend in the world of architecture and design. People are actively interested in finding ways to incorporate this in their living spaces since it resonates deeply with nature. Biophilia simply means ‘the love for nature’ and based on that the biophilic design is crafted with the goal to create harmony between nature and architecture. The design of a biophilic building helps inhabitants stay closer to nature by creating spaces that reflect a healthy vibe which improves mental and physical wellbeing. To help you build a biophilic design for your house, we have listed down some easy steps that are actively used by the top architects of Pakistan.
Natural Light and Fresh Air
Breathing in fresh air and experiencing healthy amounts of natural light provides an instant sensory stimulation that connects us to nature. Thus, when incorporating a biophilic design in our homes, we need to be mindful that these elements are catered to the core. Lofty windows, with North-South orientation can do wonders in this regard. These windows allow fresh air to enter and keep the environment pleasant. They also help in reducing the use of artificial lights, by brightening the place with natural light coming through the windows. Another idea is to incorporate indoor circadian lighting systems. This system recreates the daily natural light arc that regulates our body’s internal clock, helping in our sleep cycle and wellbeing. These lights create unique circadian cues to help develop a calm indoor environment. In this lighting system, bright-blue lights that have shorter wavelengths are used during the day and warmer toned lights with longer wavelengths are used at night to induce comfortable sleep.
Prominent Water Element
Water is one of the fundamental features of nature and subsequently of the biophilic design as well. The sound of water, its movement and its presence has a soothing impact on the ambiance. When creating a biophilic design, the top architectural firms in Pakistan ensure that they make water a prominent part of the building. One ideal way to add water in your house is to invest in an antique water fountain. These fountains are placed on the inner side of the entrance, so that the sound of water and the fountain’s majestic charm compliments the biophilic design. Similarly, another prominent way to include the element of water is by adding a small indoor pond. Might seem a bit unusual but indoor ponds and large aquariums are quite popular these days. Filled with beautiful plants, fish and other aquatic life, they provide a tranquil setting. So whenever you are planning to invest in a design that makes you feel closer to nature, don’t forget the element of water.
Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens are specially designed vertically suspended panels, on which plants of specific kind are intentionally grown using hydroponics (tank farming). These living green walls are usually placed in the living rooms or the patio walls, as they offer an instant freshness to the whole surrounding. Vertical gardens are a top choice of clients nowadays because they not only add to the overall aesthetics of the house but also help in maintaining the air quality of the house and lowering the temperature. In countries like Pakistan, where summers are long and hot, vertical gardens provide a relaxing experience of sitting in the lush gardens inside the house, safe from the unbearable heat.
Open Space
Another prominent feature of biophilic design is that it incorporates soft lines and open spaces. In order to invoke a sense of balance and openness in the design, top architects of Lahore emphasize on creating layouts that are serene. The best way to strike a symmetrical balance is to double up on your décor items so that you can easily create matching halves for the room. For example, in a living room, symmetry can be accomplished by adjoining a fireplace with two built-in cabinets or a set of chairs around a wide window. Similarly, in a bedroom, simply adding two identical table lamps on each side would do the trick. The idea is to help create a design that depicts a sense of balance between all the individual items of the room, binding them to give a cohesive look. Similarly soft lines are another important architectural feature of a biophilic design that gives it a natural look and adds to the openness of the space.
Incorporate Natural Materials
A house cannot represent an authentic biophilic design if components are not made up of natural materials. From flooring to the walls to the furniture, everything has to radiate a biomorphic appeal, using patterns, shapes, and substances reminiscent of nature. The most popularly used material in this design is wood which is utilized in construction of floors, ceilings, walls etc. It is also readily used in furniture because of its durable nature and timeless aura. Similarly natural stone, rattan and bamboos are also widely used to enhance the element of natural textures in the house, giving it a soothing ambiance. So be creative, look around and you will find endless possibilities to add, like simple wooden coffee tables, rattan chairs, jute rugs, stone counters, bamboo lamps etc. Play with all these natural materials, incorporate them in your house and enjoy a beautiful biophilic experience.
Monochrome Palette
Another easy tip to add a biophilic touch is to opt for a neutral or earthy tone palette. Consider colors that are commonly associated with nature, like subdued tones of brown, blue, green and rust. All these earthy tones have a distinct soothing vibe. A soft and neutral color scheme, with some hues of earthy tones is best suited for a biophilic design for a couple of reasons. Firstly, these colors offer a simplistic look to the house, ensuring that the focus remains on the biophilic components of the house. Secondly, these color help the space appear more open, bright and clean. Since biophilic interior design thrives on the stimulatory experience of being outside, opting for a neutral backdrop using subtle tones of beige for walls, off-white furniture and some thinly dispersed wall art will help evoke a breath of fresh air in the house.
All these steps of adding elements of biophilic design to your house can help make the task of cultivating natural aesthetics in your house, much easier.