2.2.614PATTERNSOFBIOPHILIC DESIGN

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design offers insight from an environmental consulting and strategic planning firm, Terrapin Bright Green, into the relationship of biophilic design to the built environment and some examples of the opportunities and implementation of biophilic design. They define biophilia as “humankind’s innate biological connection to nature” and biophilic design as “design that reconnects us to nature”. 51 When contextualizing this topic, the authors further describe biophilic design as a codification of human history, pointing out the relationship historic structures hold with nature and describing the basis of human desire for “(re)connection with nature and natural systems”. 52 They define nature as “living organisms and non-living components of an ecosystem” in the context of biophilic design. 53 This paper presents 14 biophilic design patterns, which they describe as having a wide range of applications for both interior and exterior environments and with the intention of addressing universal issues of human health and well-being within the built environment in ways that can be applied across various sectors and scales. These patterns are broken down into three categories: Nature in Space Patterns, Natural Analogues Patterns, and Nature of the Space Patterns. The Nature in Space Patterns category refers to the direct, physical, and ephemeral presence of nature in a space or place and includes Visual Connection with Nature, Non-Visual Connection with Nature, Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli, Thermal & Airflow Variability, Presence of Water, Dynamic & Diffuse Light, and Connection with Natural Systems. The Natural Analogues Patterns category addresses organic, non-living, and indirect evocations of nature and includes Biomorphic Forms & Patterns, Material Connection with Nature, and Complexity & Order. Finally, the Nature of the Space Patterns category references spatial configurations in nature and includes Prospect, Refuge, Mystery, and Risk/Peril.54 They explain each pattern in detail and begin to break down the ways in which each pattern can contribute to the nature-health relationship and its effect on cognitive, psychological, and physiological well-being. 55 The paper concludes by stressing the notion that, even though the science on this topic is still emerging, biophilic design is important to human well-being and the human-nature connection should be prioritized in the built environment. 56