Biophilic and Biomorphic Design

What are biophilic and biomorphic design?

Biophilia is a term popularized by Harvard University myrmecologist and conservationist E.O. Wilson to describe the extent to which humans are hard-wired to need connection with nature and other forms of life. Biomorphism models artistic design elements on naturally occurring patterns or shapes reminiscent of nature and living organisms.Biophilic Design is an innovative way of designing the places where we live, work, and learn. We need nature in a deep and fundamental fashion, but we have often designed our cities and suburbs in ways that both degrade the environment and alienate us from nature.Biomorphic Design bases its shape on human and animal forms, and this type of shape is inspired from mother nature herself. Taken to its extreme it attempts to force naturally occurring shapes onto functional devices. There are no straight lines in Nature, just free-forms. This is a building system that can afford structural design the ability to disappear into the wilderness.

Here's why we need more biophilic and biomorphic design:

Biophilic and biomorphic design can reduce stress and enhance creativity or clarity of thought. It improves our well-being and expedites healing. As the world population continues to urbanize, these qualities are ever more important.We see the following in patterns of biophilic design:

• Nature in the Space Patterns:

• Visual Connection with Nature

• Non-Visual Connection with Nature

• Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli

• Thermal & Airflow Variability

• Presence of Water

• Dynamic & Diffuse Light

• Connection with Natural Systems

• Natural Analogues Patterns:

• Biomorphic Forms & Patterns

• Material Connection with Nature

• Complexity & Order

• Nature of the Space Patterns:

• Prospect

• Refuge

• Mystery

• Risk/Peril

Case studies in biophilic / biomorphic design:

Park Royal Tower Singapore

• with twice as much greenery as the nearby Hong Lim Park it boasts a whopping 15,000 square meters of green space

• overrun with vertical gardens, contoured green pathways, water features, and leafy terraces

• planted with a variety of plant species that scrub the air clean of any emissions produced there

• overall environmental impact is mitigated by the extensive planting and kept to a minimum with pre-fabricated parts and open sides that promote natural lighting and ventilation throughout the building

• almost completely self-sustaining with a rainwater harvesting system will ensure that no new water will be used to irrigate the green spaces

Renzo Piano’s Tjibaou Cultural Center

• design inspired by Kanak chiefs’ houses and intended to resemble their traditional architecture

• form of the shells is a blend of traditional construction methods and a tapered, dematerializing profile that plays off the texture of the surrounding trees

• the exterior voids in the buildings physically open the project to the site to deepen the inhabitants’ sense of place

• an intelligent passive ventilation system removes the need for air conditioning, making the building’s clean, natural air supply an experiential part of the design

Oluf Lund and Eva Paarmann Sea-Inspired Lounge Chairs

• bring the nature and the ocean inside

• the Lobster chair is engineered from its namesake and the Shelly chair takes its form from the crayfish

• manufactured exclusively in Denmark using the finest materials from the best Danish suppliers

• leather used is top-quality natural Aniline and each chair features a chrome-plated steel swivel base

Nest Chair

• the work of the famous designer Nina Bruun from Copenhagen

• resembles a Spring bird the nest

• composed of the supporting structure, the bottom of the seat, and four stabilizing legs with birch strips of different thicknesses