Biophilic Design – Modern Space Design Trend

Have a look at our Pinterest board: Biophilic Design

We are in South Africa, home to the biggest natural masterpieces, and yet most of us seem to be spending most of our time indoors. Whether at work or at home, we don’t have enough time or the flexibility to connect with nature. But what if there were a solution to this problem? What if we could bring the outdoors in? This is an interesting question to pose to an architect designing spaces, to a home owner creating their space AND to us, paint specialists creating ‘green’ wall covering solutions. The answer is a new trend called Biophilia.

What is biophilia?

Biophilia stems from the Greek words for Life (Bios) and Love (Philia) and literally means a love of life. The word was first used by a psychologist Erich Fromm in 1964. He described it as “the passionate love of life and all that is alive”.

Focussing on natural materials, as well as fresh plants and flowers, brings us closer to nature much more. Indoor biophilia helps us reconnect the spaces with the benefits and positive feelings that nature brings us.

Biophilic Design in Architecture takes this concept a step further, working to create spaces that benefit the people who use them. It is, at its core, an architectural framework that consciously including organic patterns and nature into interiors and gives us the ability to reconnect and strengthen the human-nature connection we all yearn for. This is where we, as Paintsmiths, share a common ground. We are synonymous with sustainability in our effort to continuously offer ‘green’ and non-toxic wall covering products to our followers. Our stores pride themselves in decades of knowledge when it comes to healthy, green and sustainable solutions for both residential homeowners and bigger architectural projects.

We’re seeing the trend toward biophilic design in so many places from large corporations to retail store design home interiors and public spaces like libraries and hospitals. In 2018, the push for increased wellness in the workplace continued to grow. From Amazon HQ’s 40,000 plants and mini rain forest to Samsung’s multiple “garden floors” in San Jose or the great green heart of the Xinhee Design Center. Employers, architects and interior designers strive to create better connections between workers and the outside environment.

“Natural light is just one of the many biophilic elements that have positive effects for retailers. Greenery is fast becoming one of the hottest design trends, and it’s a perfect fit for retail. Studies show that greenery enhances the visual quality of a retail environment. This has many of the same effects that lighting does: increased perception of quality, higher levels of receptiveness to prices, and a more positive shopping experience in general.” – KRISTINE DEMARIA of Terramai

Our desk research indicates that there is a noticeable increase in biophilic design in the past year alone. The number of projects enrolled in the worldwide WELL Building Standard crossed the 1,000 mark in early October 2018, growing by 38%. More business leaders, alongside commercial developers, believe in the impact that air, water, light, fitness, comfort, and other qualities have on workers/residents in a space.

What role does paint play?

“For commercial wall applications, it is important to note that painting will clearly move far beyond typical considerations like brand alignment and messaging, but rather, a focus on the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants”, says Elna Wessels (Paintsmiths Marketing). Paintsmiths will continue to wave the healthy, odourless paint flag in the shadow of the new trend. In fact all brands should on some level embrace biophilia. Biophilic design is here to stay. In the year ahead, designers and architects can appeal to the largest generation in today’s workforce with bold, fresh authentic South African nature colours. It is common knowledge that colour impacts on our mood. (Refer to our previous blog on Mental Health here). In our increasingly connected, cluttered world, interior designers can take an even fresher approach that is both invigorating and tranquil.