2.3 HISTORY OF BIOPHILIA AND BIOPHILIC DESIGN

Biophilic design is a practice as intertwined with human history as the concept of shelter itself. The idea is thought to originate from the understanding of human evolution, where for more than 99% of our species’ history we biologically developed in adaptive response to natural forces. 71 The connection of nature in the built environment can be traced back to things such as early ornamentation, gardens and conservatories, and biomorphic building forms. 72 According to Terrapin Bright Green in 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, this early evidence suggests that biophilic design is “not a new phenomenon; rather, as a field of applied science, it is the codification of history, human intuition, and neural sciences showing that connections with nature are vital to maintaining a healthful and vibrant existence as a human being”. 73 While the practice can be seen in action for hundreds of years, the concept was only put into words around 50 years ago, with social psychologist Erich Fromm being the first to coin the term “biophilia” in his 1973 work, TheAnatomyofHumanDestructiveness. In its first definition, biophilia was described as “the passionate love of life and all that is alive” and “the wish to further growth, whether in a person, a plant, an idea, or a social group”. 74 From there, biologist Edward O. Wilson became known as the father of biophilia after the release of his book Biophilia, where he delves deeper into the human-nature connection and the topic of biophilia in general. In this context, biophilia is defined as “the innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes.” 75 These early definitions were largely rooted in fields of science, particularly biology and psychology, but as the concept’s awareness grew, so did its scope. Soon the discussion of biophilic design came into play, with one of its major proponents being Dr. Stephen R. Kellert. This is the point in time where the idea of biophilia began to tie into architecture and the idea of promoting or enabling this human-nature connection through our built environment. Kellert authored many books on the topic, including The Practice of BiophilicDesign, NatureByDesign:ThePracticeofBiophilicDesign, BiophilicDesign:TheTheory,ScienceandPracticeofBringingBuildings to Life, and TheBiophiliaHypothesis, his joint work with Edward O. Wilson. In these, he describes biophilic design as “an innovative approach that emphasizes the necessity of maintaining, enhancing, and restoring the beneficial experience of nature in the built environment” and “the expression of the inherent human need to affiliate with nature in the design of the built environment.” 76 Additionally, he begins to break down different practices and principles of biophilic design, along with being one of the first to introduce the benefits and importance of the practice to its human inhabitants. Today, biophilic design as a practice has gained some notability, but is still underused and misunderstood by many in the design field. It has gained traction in fields such as commercial and corporate, but lacks in many other disciplines, such as residential. Firms and organizations, such as Terrapin Bright Green and the International Living Building Institute, are working to bring more awareness to the topic and increase its implementation within the field, and with more recognition, the practice seems to be on the rise.