The concept of Biophilia refers to the human connection with nature, and in turn, Biophilic design refers to the structuring and designing of our spaces and architecture in a way that keeps this human connection to nature at the very center of its focus. Further, we’ll look at this ideology in more detail and see how it can be applied to the farmhouse and industrial styles:
What is biophilic design?
Biophilia is a concept that was introduced in the 80s, by the biologist Edward O. Wilson, who hypothesized the natural human affinity toward nature. Today, his theory is more relevant than ever, as we’ve become the “indoor generation.” According to experts, the average American spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, and Biophilia suggests that without being exposed to nature, our health could suffer.
This is where Biophilic design comes in. It’s a way of integrating nature within our spaces and the built environment. From living walls to oversized windows that let in ample sunlight to lush plants, green roofs, and terraces that are overloaded with plants, this concept has been slowly creeping its way into our architecture, urban spaces, and interior designs through the years. Now…
Why is it becoming trendy?
Since 2010, there has been a distinct uptick in the global urban population - so much so, that 56% of the entire population of the world now resides in urban areas. This percentage is only slated to increase as we move towards the future.
Now, what’s the predominant housing scheme in the urban world? Its apartment buildings. Tall, sprawling, and touching the sky, these multi-story buildings make up a large part of our cityscapes. Although they allow for more human accommodation, these complexes are also something that has disconnected us from nature.
Imagine living in a fourth-story apartment with no balcony; you’re only surrounded by drywall, concrete ceiling, and your furniture. Your mind will feel trapped and your body will automatically crave a closeness to nature. This is why biophilic design has become so important, and of course, trendy.
It’s not just a way of reconnecting with nature, but also something that positively affects our health and overall mood in day-to-day life.
Elements of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is so much more than the simple emulation of plants and natural light into your spaces, though they are the backbone of this concept. Here are some other factors that you need to know about:
- The sum of smaller parts: Biophilic design does not isolate a feature or a room - in fact, it considers the entire setting (just like all nature works without constraining itself to a single phenomenon). Therefore, you’ll see a lot of organic shapes and visual diversity in such biophilic spaces. This may include the featuring of meandering and curved lines, as there are very few straight lines in nature itself. Similarly, just like how snowflakes and leaf veins are different in nature, furniture and décor items are artfully mismatched in such styles.
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Plants, views, and water: Abstract ideas aside, the solid foundation of all biophilic spaces incorporates the use of plant-life (which studies have revealed to enhance human productivity and performance), water (which has healing properties of its own), and some great views of the outdoors (as studies conducted by professionals show how people heal faster when they are exposed to a good view of the outdoors).
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Good air flow: The most underrated thing part of Biophilic design is the incorporation of good airflow. No one feels happy or content in a space that has stagnant air, so biophilic design encourages the use of good airflow in spaces.
Why Does Biophilic Design Fit so well with Farmhouse/Industrial Styles
Farmhouse Style: With this particular style, Biophilic elements can be incorporated with the help of large picture windows that not only let in ample amount of sunlight, but can also be used to design a nicely landscaped view of the outside. You don’t need to have sprawling gardens to do that - just a simple stand with lots of lush planters on it can do the trick just as well. Other than that, rustic finishes on the floor can invoke a natural healing effect, and as far as organic shapes are concerned, then you can certainly experiment with decor, accessories, and rattan/bamboo furniture with billowing art nouveau style designs.
Industrial Style: The edgy appeal of the industrial style is also a great canvas for biophilic design. For one, you can always emulate a living wall within this style. Surrounded by the raw, organic beauty of other exposed materials, this green wall would feel like a refreshing statement point. You can also use oversized statement windows to let in lots of natural light. Then, the furniture can be curated to create a mismatched look - from a large, leather-clad chesterfield in the center to a live-edge coffee table and gilded floor lamps along with abstract area rugs, there’s a lot you can do to create a naturally organic vibe in such a space.
How to do an Interior Wall Garden for Farmhouse/Industrial Style
At their core, the Farmhouse and Industrial styles promote highly different visuals, so here are the two ways you can incorporate a wall garden in them respectively:
Farmhouse style: This style appreciates the mundane and rustic beauty of things while also exploring light-hearted color schemes and comfortable furniture. The kind of wall garden you can feature in such a style is the one that features actual planters. Instead of going for a hydroponic wall, you can attach shelves to a bare wall and put a bunch of planters on them.
Industrial style: This style has an underscore of sleekness about it, which is why it would look fantastic with a living, hydroponic style green wall. It can be surrounded by wooden accents and lots of natural light along with the factory style accents that are so characteristic of the industrial look.
So, this is how the Biophilic phenomenon can be translated in the farmhouse and industrial style interiors. We hope this guide is helpful to everyone who has been looking for ways to articulate this concept in their own homes with respect to these themes.
