BY DES I GN MAGAZI NE - TR E NDS 2022 LYSAGHT
B A C K T O N AT U R E :
Making Sense Of Biophilic Design You may not be familiar with the term but, chances are, you’re already well versed in the benefits of biophilic design. One of the strongest trends in building design in recent years, biophilic design refers to the integration of the natural world into the built environment to promote wellbeing and relieve the stresses of modern living. The innate human desire to stay grounded in nature is the reason why we feel better after a walk on the beach, hearing birdsong in the garden or just watching the shadowplay of a sheltering tree on a wall. From a design perspective, it’s also the driving force behind the explosion in the indoor plant business, rooftop gardens and greenwalls and the push for the use of natural materials, like marble and raw timber, in interior design.
Although in some ways it is nothing new - humans have been seeking to stay close to the natural world in some way since ancient times - trend forecasters suggest that this recent rise of biophilic design is a reaction to our ever-increasing reliance on technology. That is, the more time we spend looking at our screens, the more we crave a connection to the environment. While for some, getting their ‘fix’ of nature is as easy as stepping out their front door, for many people living in increasingly dense urban areas, it’s not so straightforward. But creating opportunities to experience the natural world through all the senses, perhaps without even leaving your home or office building can provide the same benefits. It could be expressed by introducing a coffee table finished in raw timber or specifying a heavily veined marble top bathroom vanity, but even materials that mimic the shapes and patterns of nature can provide a similar experience without the maintenance issues.
96 | By Design 2022
That’s where the LYSAGHT® range of products steps in. Everything from curved roof lines to walls that embrace the terrain can be shaped from CUSTOM ORB®, LONGLINE 305® and other LYSAGHT® claddings. These flexible capabilities, when complemented with structural steel beams, allow designers to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, enabling steel to be the versatile, natural partner for this design movement. Will Pereyra, BDM Commercial & Industrial for Lysaght, says it’s an easy choice for designers looking for durability, flexibility and beauty for both internal and external spaces. For those looking to take the idea further, he says, LYSAGHT® products can be made from REDCOR® weathering steel which develops a rust-look finish over time to offer a more natural looking alternative to traditional steel walling. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, it can be shaped into everything from retaining walls to internal cladding.
