"René Dubos, The Wooing of The Earth ": Biophilic Design and Its Application in Architecture

1.

INTRODUCTION

“The relationship between humankind and nature can be one of respect and
love rather than Domination…The outcome...can be rich, satisfying, and
lastingly successful, but only if both Partners are modified by their association
so as to become better adapted to each other...With our knowledge and sense
of responsibility…we can create new environments that are ecologically
sound, aesthetically satisfying, economically rewarding…This process of
reciprocal adaptation occurs…through minor changes in the people and their
environment, but a more conscious process of design can also take place.”
“René Dubos, the Wooing of the Earth “

Biophilic design is a part of a new concept in architecture, that work intensive

with human health, ecology and sustainability precepts, such a integrate part
of architectural formation which must be in optimal proportion with other
buildings material. Biophilic design requires repeated and sustained
engagement with nature. It focuses on human adaptations to the natural
world that over evolutionary time have advanced people's health, fitness and
wellbeing. However, the interpretation and final implementation of biophilic
architecture must have a regional dimension with regard to environment and
culture.
1.1 NEED TO STUDY
It is proved that if given a choice, people want to bring the beauty and
harmony of nature within site. When possible, they like to blend these qualities
into details of their daily existence, because in so doing, they add their own
sense of worth and security. This conceptualization, term as biophilia is in great
demand at present due to the current urbanization greatly affecting our
surroundings and taking us away from nature benefits in one way or the other.
This change. According to the society, can be bought through application of
biophilia in various aspects of construction of spaces like Architecture interior
designing etc.
1.2 AIM
Generation of a framework that would bridge the gap between Biophilic

design and architecture
1.3 OBJECTIVES
 To study the principals and theories of the biophilic design to create new
environment that are ecologically sound, aesthetically satisfy and
economically rewarding.
Biophilic design and its application in architecture
 To study about the patterns and element use towards the building and
its spaces.
 To study about the technique used in building.
 To develop a morphology through environmental features.
1.4 METHODOLOGY
 Understanding the design, principal and theories of the building.

 Understanding the biophilic design elements and patterns.
 Study work of different architect and case study.
1.5 LIMITATION
To study limit to the biophilic design in architecture towards building its space
and technique.
1.6 SCOPE
Biophilic Design has a wide scope of applicability in various domain of

architectural space like residential commercial offices healthcare and
institutional building uses, also having varied health benefits related to varying
problems of each domain. The scope of the current research is limited to the
applicability on an institutional setup, where the Biophilic design element will
be tested on a live site to access the generality of the present biophilic
elements.
2. RELATED STUDIES
LITERATURE STUDY
To test the generality and application of the proposed Biophilic patterns,
their impact on architectural spaces, live sites have been for study.
ANALYSIS TABLE
For assessment of the patterns on a literature study, certain practical
parameter needs to be consider which can be studies in the limited time of
research and which can also be quantified in a certain form:

 Theories: Relation of the patterns to the theories they are based
upon
 Inter Relationship: Inter relation of patterns to specific essence

of space, existing on site.
 Duration of exposure & frequency of access: Understanding the

time frame of exposure of certain Biophilic elements benefiting
the viewer.
 Attribute & design considerations: Attributes of a space and

design elements present, Generate.
 Domain of applicable: Applicability of a particular pattern on

a site having following Architectural domains: Building:
Landscaping: Interiors
LITERATURE REVIEW
Biophilia is a 'love of nature' or 'living system'. "The innate tendency [in human being] to
focus on nature and natural processes". (E.O.Wilson)
Biophilic Design is about creating good habitat for people as a biological organism in the
modern building and construction that advance people health. Good habitat means
ecologically sound and productive settings where people function to their optimal
potential. (Dr. Stephen Kellert)
INTRODUCTION
There have been various attempts by the researchers to describe the biophilic design
hypothesis of various aspects of the human- nature connections and it's relation with
architecture. Various theories and patterns have been proposed to explain the hypothesis.
This section assists to examine and infer most relevant biophilic Design Theories and
components as patterns through a common platform, accessible to the designers:
Theories:
Attention Restoration Theory (ART)
Stress Reduction Theory (SRT)
Perceptual Fluency Account (PFA)
Savannah Hypothesis
Naturalness and stress reduction
Aesthetic Appeal of Nature
Fractal Theory
prospect and Refuse Theory
PATTERNS:
14 Patterns of Biophilic Design
Dimension, Element, Attributes of biophilic design
Restorative environment design (RED)
Theories pertaining to Biophilia

The theories, relating to this literature, have been broadly divided to two classifications
instrumental in affecting the human- nature relationship:
Theories on Phycho-Evolutionary and Restorative Preferences
Nature-Based and Environmental Preferences
Both the preferences are inter-related, providing a common platform for analysis.
Theories on Psycho-Evolutionary and Restorative Preference

Theories on Psyco-Evolutionary and Restorative preference have certain links with the
nature based and environmental preferences. To justify this, the present theories refer to
the challenges adaptation mechanism.
These evidences concretize the role of human nature relationship and provides a
framework for generation of a positive and restorative response towards the evolutionary
challenges.
Based on these statements, Theories which can be classified under this domain are:
Attention Restoration Theory (ART)
Stress Reduction Theory (SRT)
Perceptual Fluency Account (PFA)
Attention Restoration Theory (ART)

Attention Restoration Theory (ART) (Kaplan, 1989, 1995) suggests that mental fatigue and
concentration can be improved by time spent in, or looking at nature. The capacity of the
brain to focus on a specific stimulus or task is limited and results in 'directed attention
fatigue'. ART proposes that exposure to natural environments encourages more effortless
brain function, thereby allowing it to recover and replenish its directed attention capacity.
Perceptual Fluency Account (PFA)

PFA acts as an intersection of ART and SRT Theories. The synthesis of this theory dictates
that human brain can more frequently and fluently comprehend and generate stimuli to a
natural setting in a structured manner, than an urban setting, dominating on the built
environments. Thus, fluent encounter, reduces stress on cognition of brain, restoring
attention and ultimately, and reducing stress.
Theories on Nature-Based and Environmental Preferences

Savannah Hypothesis
Naturalness and stress reduction
Aesthetic Appeal of Nature
Fractal Theory
prospect and Refuse Theory
Savannah Hypothesis
This theory specifies that humans prefers landscape features to have elements from African
savannah. People tend to prefer savannah-like environments—open areas, scattered trees,
water, and uniform grassiness. The characteristics of savannahs that a person would
intrinsically prefer a savannah like landscape then present cityscape that would lead to
wellbeing of a person. The feature of savannah like landscapes including high diversity of
flowers, animal lives scattered cluster of trees topographic change scattered water bodies
and multiple long distance view corridor for surveillance for predator and bright obstruction
free sky.
Inference and conclusion

The present proposed theories describes aptly and justifies the biophilic hypothesis, where
the two preferences co-exists in harmony and are pivotal in being a major component of the
biophilic framework. Due to limited time frame and less scope from modifications, the
present theories are adopted in the process of framework design for adaptation of biophilia
in architectural design, without much modifications and are present in a singular structural
system.
Components as Patterns of biophilia
The current biophilic design literature lists three guidelines describing various aspects of
human-nature connections:-
14 patterns of biophilic design

Dimensions, Attributes and Elements of biophilic Design
Restorative Environment Design (RED)

Conceptualized by Terrapin Bright Green LLC, a multi- disciplinary consultation company, the
Biophilia
Hypothesis by wilson, set up a turning stone in generation of three major concepts of
Biophilic Design.
Nature in Space Patterns
Nature Analogues
Nature of space patterns
These main pillar concepts are further subdivided into fourteen sub patterns of biophilic
design, where they have been explained in design in depth, in terms of experience they
create, roots of patterns, design attributes, example and relation with other patterns,
providing opportunities for integrated biophilic design strategies.
The table present on the following page in an effort by terrapin Bright Green, to relate the
proposed patterns of Biophilic Design, with the health benefits to the inhabitants by the
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
Biomorphic Forms & Patterns
Material Connection with Nature
Complexity & Order
Prospect
Refuge
Mystery
Risk/Peril


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1.

Biophilic design is a part of a new concept in architecture, that work intensive

1.1 NEED TO STUDY

Generation of a framework that would bridge the gap between Biophilic

 Understanding the design, principal and theories of the building.

Biophilic Design has a wide scope of applicability in various domain of

Biophilic design and its application in architecture

 Inter Relationship: Inter relation of patterns to specific essence

 Duration of exposure & frequency of access: Understanding the

 Attribute & design considerations: Attributes of a space and

 Domain of applicable: Applicability of a particular pattern on

Theories pertaining to Biophilia

Theories on Psycho-Evolutionary and Restorative Preference

Attention Restoration Theory (ART)

Perceptual Fluency Account (PFA)

Theories on Nature-Based and Environmental Preferences

Inference and conclusion

Components as Patterns of biophilia

14 patterns of biophilic design

Biophilic design and its application in architecture

Visual Connection with Nature

Biophilic design and its application in architecture

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