Places we naturally love turn out to be good for us!
We can now scientifically verify the physiological viability of our designs, by measuring pulse rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), electro-dermal response, hormonal & adrenal response, brain wave activity, eye movements & muscle tension.
Biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology & neuroscience have begun to piece together how sensory perception activates different brain centers resulting in feelings of joy, curiosity, awe, safety or… fear, anxiety, depression, confusion and disorientation.
There are in fact distinct measurable neurological benefits of Delight! New technologies are beginning to prove how the spaces through which we move affect our moods, our emotional memory, how they can change the brain’s chemical & hormonal balance.
Project from author Helena van Vliet Architect LLC
New technologies are beginning to prove how the spaces through which we move affect our moods, our emotional memory, how they can change the brain’s chemical & hormonal balance.
Measurable Health Benefits of Biophilic Design
- Stress reduction & muscle relaxation
- Increased production of anticancer proteins
- Higher levels of immune defending NK cells
- Overall improved immune function
- Cortisol reduction & overall hormonal balance
- Lower systolic blood pressure
- Lower pulse rate
- Improved attention, concentration & cognitive function
- Circadian balance
- Decreased cell aging
- Vitamin D metabolism
- Objective & subjective reduction of pain
- Faster recovery from illness
- Improved emotional & mood regulation
- Reduction in fatigue
Based on recent research, we can say that providing a multi-sensory experience for relaxation, discovery, safety, and ultimately joy in our built environment can lead us to a state of greater physiological health and neurological wellbeing.
Biophilic Design for Neurological Wellbeing
- Design for circadian balance using day/night rhythm
- Design for visual comfort using nature’s colors, light patterns & proportional harmonies
- Design for touch using nature’s textures
- Design for acoustic comfort using nature’s sounds, sound patterns & fresh moving water
- Design for olfactory comfort using plants & specific natural aromatic oils
- Design for fresh air through fluid indoor-outdoor connections
- ‘Living Wall’ biofilter VOC purification of indoor air
- Negative air-ionization of indoor air
- Design with mid-range fractal patterns
- Design incorporating elements of prospect, refuge & sanctuary
What if we redefined efficiency in place and building design as something that makes us demand physiological wellbeing at its very core?
5 responses to “Biophilia: Sustainability Meets Health & Well-Being”
Hi! I’m curious as to what research this claims are based on. Can I ask for the reference? Thank you.
I’m curious as to what research this claims are based on. Can I ask for the reference? Thank you.
Hi Luiz,
We’re not certain the specific references Helena used as the basis for this article from 2015, but if you’re looking for resources on the relationship between biophilic design and well-being, we’d suggest starting with Terrapin Bright Green’s 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and Economics of Biophilia. As for the neurological benefits, we’d recommend taking a look at research from Dr. Nikos A. Salingaros, sampled here.
There is more and more research on biophilic design being published every year, and we’re so glad to see the growing interest in this field from the building industry.
-Interface
Thank you for your above comments and source info, which is indeed a good one.
This is a note for Interface: the image above is one of my own projects…not sure who ‘Peldon Rosen’ is …but the image above his name is work by Helena van Vliet Architect LLC
Hi Helena! Thank you for flagging the error. It’s been updated.