Sarah Kuchar-Parkinson outlines the basic principles of biophilic design — and shares some anything-but-basic ways to bring natural connectivity to any space.
Biophilic design might be trending on social media, but it’s far more than an aesthetic — it’s a transformative approach to creating spaces that make us happier, calmer, and healthier. By incorporating natural elements like plants, sunlight, and organic materials, this popular design philosophy fosters a sense of well-being, reduces stress, and enhances productivity. Whether implemented through living walls, natural wood finishes, large windows that invite the outdoors inside, or by creating meaningful connections to space and place, biophilic design brings the beauty and tranquility of our surroundings into our built environments.
A hypothesis first introduced by psychologist Erich Fromm in 1964 and then re-introduced by biologist Edward O. Wilson, biophilic design is defined as the human instinct and impulse to connect with nature and other forms of life. And there’s solid science behind its feel-good factor: Biophilic design can improve cognitive function and reduce stress levels by up to 15 percent. Psychologists have even found that simply adding plants to your office can increase well-being by 47 percent, creativity by 45 percent, and workplace productivity by 38 percent.
What isn’t an exact science are the limitless ways to incorporate both obvious and more nuanced elements of biophilia into your design plans. Here are the six principles (as outlined by modern biophilic design expert Stephen R. Kellert), alongside Kuchar’s considerations for creatively integrating each into your next project.
Nature in the Space
The first principle — the most straightforward of the six — has to do with directly integrating environmental features into built spaces. Attributes include color, water, air, sunlight, plants, natural materials, views, facade greening, geology/landscape, and fire. In addition to straightforward applications like peppering in live plants and opting for found-in-nature material selections like wood and natural stone, we at Kuchar always aim to push the boundaries of creativity for less conventional takes. For the Chicago Nevins showroom, for example, we were inspired by how nature thrives in an urban environment. We designed a dried flower forest to flank the entrance. Inside, both literal (potted plants) and surreal (petal-esque pendants) elements take shape.
Natural Shapes and Forms
This principle emphasizes the use of natural patterns, textures, and shapes in design. Whereas the first is about putting the actual natural features into your design, the second is about symbolic representation and motifs. The attributes here are botanical and animal motifs, columnar supports, arches, vaults and domes, biomimicry modeled on biological entities like fractals (patterns that repeat at different scales), and shapes like tree branches or animal forms. A great example of designing with this principle in mind is our design for the DARRAN showroom in The Mart. Inspired by North Carolina’s hilly landscape, where the furniture brand is headquartered, our team incorporated curving topography lines in the ceiling and walls. Yet instead of adopting neutral colors, we chose a pigmented palette to evoke the association in an artful way.
Natural Light
Bringing in natural light is vital in biophilic design, whether through large windows, skylights, or light wells. Exposure to daylight helps regulate circadian rhythms and boosts mood and productivity. Virtually every designer considers light and space to be at or near the top of the list of key elements to their design. Think about how these elements connect to our primal, natural, ancestral experience of light and space: natural light, filtered and diffused light, light and shadow, reflected light, warm light, spaciousness, spatial variability, and harmony. At Kuchar, we often look to the past to see a way forward. Of late, we’ve been collecting images of century-old solariums, and confabbing on contemporary, four-season interpretations for natural-light-filled breakfast rooms and standalone sun porches.
Ventilation and Air Quality
Good air quality and proper ventilation are key to biophilic design, as they help create a healthy environment. This might include designing spaces that promote natural airflow or incorporating plants that purify the air. Simply put, plants are nature’s air purifier. Indoor plants improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis, and some also help remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants from the air. For example, the peace lily can remove 78 percent of airborne mold in 12 hours. Other moisture-absorbing plants include English ivy and spider plants. For the design of the H.H.H. showroom in The Mart, which does not have operable windows, we hung a variety of ferns and pothos from the ceiling interspersed with pendant lights for an organic statement that doubles as a natural air purification system.
Connection with the Natural Environment
This principle is about creating visual and physical connections with the outdoors to enhance cognitive function and well-being and reduce stress. Large windows with views of nature, outdoor terraces, or even creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces are great examples of this connection. For a recent new build residential project in Libertyville, Ill., we prioritized capturing and creating sightlines throughout. We began by taking note of how and where the client chooses to spend the most time in the home based on lifestyle preferences — e.g. working from home and quality time spent cooking in the kitchen. From there, we worked closely with the architect to tweak window placements and room orientations to ensure that there were prominent visual connections to the yard from these key spaces.
Place-Based Relationships
It is our biological need to feel a connection to a place, like the comfort we find in the familiarity of our home and neighborhood. This final principle focuses on creating designs that reflect the local environment and culture. It's about embedding a sense of place in the design by using materials, colors, and textures that are indigenous to the location, therefore creating a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape. Consider geographic, cultural, ecological, and historic connections, working with indigenous materials, landscape orientation and features, the spirit of place, and avoiding placelessness. Across all of Kuchar’s disciplines — commercial, residential, hospitality, and retail — connection to place is always a priority consideration. For an office we designed in Amsterdam, we took to the city on foot for color and shape inspiration. For a multifamily apartment building we designed in Phoenix, Ariz., we layered in exposed concrete and art by local artists to link the luxury building to its urban backdrop. As designers, creating a sense of belonging is a big part of what we do (if not the biggest). And when executed in an authentic way, it can boost well-being, comfort, and joy.
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