Biophilic Design... what it is and what it has in common with Mid-Century/Modern Design | HomesMSP

I first heard of Biophilic Design last week at a senior housing seminar… but its principles are ones I have espoused all my life, I just hadn’t named it… and are part of the reason I like mid-century/modern design so much.

Biophilic design is a philosophy that focuses on the importance and benefits of surrounding ourselves with nature… elements such as natural light, wood, water, fire, natural textures and materials, views of nature, plants, biomorphic shapes & patterns found in nature…

Biophilic design makes the case that these interactions with nature shape our lives for the better… improving mood, creating a sense of calm, boosting brain function and creativity, improving overall wellbeing, as well as increasing social engagement.

Bottom line is, living in close proximity to nature can help us feel more relaxed, giving us comfort and joy.

The start of modern biophilic design goes back to 1938, when the first “green wall” was patented. But it wasn’t until the 1980’s when the biophilia hypothesis was introduced, suggesting that humans have an innate affinity for the natural world. The goal of biophilic design is to create spaces that promote health and well-being by fostering a connection to nature.

I was reminded of a post I made back in 2008 entitled “Water runs through it“… it speaks to these same concepts, long before I ever heard of biophilia.

The concepts of mid-century modernism also speak to the same principles… natural light, bringing the outside in, natural materials, the sounds of flowing water, the smells of a burning fire, plant and animal life nearby, a “less is more” philosophy stripping away that which is artificial.

Humans now seem to be reconnecting with nature and each other in deeper and more satisfying ways… perhaps this helps explain the rise in interest in fire pits, walls of glass, open floor plans, the desire to be on or close to water. (Did you know that Minnesota has more shoreline than California, Hawaii, and Florida combined if you also consider rivers and streams?)

I have always wanted to be near flowing water… I grew up along a creek on a farm in North Dakota, now live along a creek in the Twin Cities and have no desire to leave.

According to Stephen R. Kellert in Birthright: People and Nature in the Modern World, 2012…