It’s a term that means the connection of humans with nature, and the affinity of life with other living systems.
If you’ve never heard the term “Biophilic Design Architecture,” you’re not alone. But embracing biophilic architecture is natural in Maui, where the land and the ancient culture are taken very seriously.
We’ve previously discussed different aspects of green building like solar energy in this blog, and biophilic can work in tandem with green building and construction. However, biophilic architecture in Maui is not necessarily the same thing. Like green buildings, biophilic can also help to reduce the impact of a building on its environment.
Origins Of Biophilic
Homes in Maui are designed to respect the land and nature. Biophilic design takes that concept one step further.
The concept was introduced in 1984 by author Edward Wilson after noticing the trend toward urbanization and it’s disconnect from nature after millennia of humans who lived in rural/agrarian settings. It’s why people have houseplants, pets, and other forms of nature inside their homes.
Biophilia uses the innate connection of people with nature to foster the reconnection of the natural environment with people through building design. Using biophilia’s principles, buildings of all kinds can be designed to be human-centric and allow more of a connection with nature.
Buildings are constructed with natural elements to reflect the surrounding landscape, leading to a positive impact on the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
Elements Of Biophilic
Enabling natural lighting is just one way to connect a home’s occupants with the surrounding Maui environment. Indoor and outdoor spaces that are starved of natural elements can be made more relaxing and comfortable by introducing or mimicking nature.
Integrating elements such as light, water, greenery, views, and other natural aspects into the design can have positive impacts on the people who ultimately live and use the space. This can be as simple as having plants in a home or a hospital room or having a window where inhabitants can see nature outside.
Patients exposed to biophilic design elements in their hospital rooms are able to recover faster and better than those without it. Offices that incorporate the same types of elements are more productive and have happier, healthier employees.
Biophilic design is also the inclusion of:
- Natural textures and materials
- Vegetation and “Living walls”
- The wide expanse of nature views
- Inside air quality improvements
- Ideal thermal comfort levels
- Optimization of spaces focused on human comfort
- Physiological and psychological impacts of the space
Homes, workspaces, schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities that incorporate biophilic elements can decrease stress, heart rates, and blood pressure while increasing the creativity, productivity, and wellbeing of the inhabitants.
Bringing Maui’s incredible outdoors into a living space was the focus of the University of Hawaii’s Mookini Library renovation. Included in the renovation was new furniture using wood native to the Islands, but with the feel of a classic traditional library.
BiophilicCities.org is a network that seeks to promulgate biophilic design principles in cities around the world. Their website offers a wealth of information and a series of short videos about the different places that have embraced biophilia. Not to be missed is this video on a tour of “catios,” or cat patios, in Portland, Oregon, offering a very specific example of biophilic design.
For Biophilic Design Architecture In Maui? Call Pro Draft
If a biophilic design is something that you’d like to know more about and use in your new home or commercial property, we can work with you to create a comfortable space that incorporates natural elements.
When you’re ready to begin building or renovating a house or commercial property, Pro Draft is ready to help with architecture, drawings, blueprints, permits, and to answer all of your questions before the first day of construction. We’re happy to help and will work to ensure your project is exactly the way you envision, including biophilic design.
Call Pro Draft today at (808) 579-9050 or 1-800-499-4699 from the Mainland
