What is Biophilic Design?

So What is Biophilic Design?

It is related to connecting humanity to the natural world.

First, the word biophilia was a term coined by psychologist Erich Fromm in the 1960's (and later explored by biologist E.O. Wilson in  the 1980's). It refers to our love of life. 

We feel good in nature and many architects and designers started taking note that growing mental illness in modern society may be linked somehow to our soulless modern buildings and environments.

But rather than studying the ancient principles of feng shui, they created a new discipline.

The end goal is the same as feng shui: that we create environments that not only look good, but feel good!   

Biophilic design is backed up by environmental psychology, which studies the impact buildings have on human behavior.

It has been found that healthy human development (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) is contingent upon access to the natural world.

Now, many buildings and communities are being built with biophilic design principles. Hotels, healthcare facilities, even corporate offices and housing developments have incorporated elements of nature into the design of their spaces.

So even if they don't call it "feng shui", that's okay, as long as we are being nourished in our spaces and respect Mother Earth!

Since I've been studying biophilic design, I've created my own list of principles connected to each of the Five Elements of nature: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. I wrote about this in my book, Creating Luminous Spaces (available wherever online books are sold).

Learn more about my Biophilic Design Certification Course is now available as a self-study online course!

Additional reads if you want to learn more: Biophilia Hypothesis, by E.O. Wilson; Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, by Stephen Kellert, Judith Heerwagen, Martin Mador
Photo credits: Pixabay.com, WikiImages - Yale University's Kroon Hall, built with biophilic design and LEED