Most people spend their days shuffling between tightly packed schedules, long hours in conference rooms or cubicles, rarely stepping outside or connecting with nature. That’s why I’m passionate about biophilic design—integrating natural elements into our built environments to restore balance, boost well-being, and reconnect us with the natural world we desperately need.
Understanding Biophilic Design
Recently I attended a couple seminars on biophilic design. If you’re not familiar, biophilic design is an approach to architecture and interior design that seeks to connect people more closely with nature by incorporating natural elements—like plants, natural light, water features, organic materials, and patterns inspired by the natural world—into built environments.
Why It Matters
By bringing natural elements, patterns, and rhythms into our spaces, it fosters a sense of balance, purpose, and harmony that boosts productivity and reduces stress. Biophilic design is rooted in the idea that our connection to nature is essential for restoration, emotional well-being, and mental clarity.
Personally, I’ve seen how even small shifts—like more sunlight, natural textures, or indoor plants—can transform a space into one that feels more grounded. Or take the flip side–step outside after a long workday and instantly your body relaxes.
The Science Behind Biophilic Design
From what I learned recently, so much of this has to do with our circadian rhythms. Some of the newer lights on the market will adjust with the color temperature outside to help regulate circadian rhythms better.
For example, if you are working in a windowless office, having the lights adjust with the natural light outside can help keep our circadian rhythms in check which helps us to relax, making us more productive and happy. Even TV’s are incorporating this technology, where they are brighter in the day and less so at night in order to help prepare our bodies for sleep at the end of the day.
Simple Ways to Start
Some of the easiest things you can do to incorporate biophilic design are adding more plants to your interior, opening windows and doors to hear, smell and immerse yourself in nature, using natural materials like wood, wool, and cotton, or installing a water feature.
If you’re ready to take it a step further, automate your window coverings to open with the rising and setting sun, or consider a remodel to create more indoor – outdoor spaces or larger windows.
Because most of our time is spent indoors, it is important to our health and well-being to do whatever we can to bring nature in to help regulate our bodies, emotions, and wellness. I have personally started taking small steps to wind down the day in our family by turning lights down lower in the evening, making sure screens aren’t on after 8:00 and opening the windows more.
If you find yourself yearning for a connection with nature but have no clue where to start, reach out to us today. We’d love to help inspire you!
Warmly,
Dawn
