THINK GREEN IN 2022
How to incorporate biophilic architecture in your home’s design
Green is a dominant color today among homeowners – and not just as a paint hue. It’s also coloring the way Americans are designing their interiors and exteriors, as more of us emphasize nature, plants, and ecological consciousness.
They call this movement “biophilic architecture.” And though it’s been around for a while, like ground ivy, it’s been growing and spreading quickly as a go-to aesthetic approach in many homes today.
“Biophilic architecture integrates nature in home and landscape designs. The biophilic design style melds the indoors and outdoors and aims to connect people in nature with built environments,” Joe Raboine, director of Residential Hardscape’s for Atlanta-headquartered Belgard, says.
During the pandemic, many homeowners have had to retreat indoors, causing them to miss nature and the feeling of relaxation that being in the outdoors can bring.
“This is where biophilic architecture comes in. Instead of people going outside to experience the tranquility, they can do it from inside their homes. This practice incorporates natural elements of the ecosystem and builds them into your residence,” explains Marco Bizzley, a certified interior designer with HouseGrail.
Alan Weiner, COO of Elegant Strand in Boca Raton, Florida, notes that biophilic design can reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity, enhance our well-being, and expedite healing.
“As the world population continues to urbanize, these qualities are ever more important,” Weiner says. “Biophilic design can take the form of houseplants, natural light, water, and other elements and components.”
Grandiose biophilic expressions include plant walls in which one or more vertical surfaces in a room showcase houseplants on shelves or in niches, staircase gardens that implement flora beside or underneath steps, and floral ceilings from which various plants are hung.
If you want to step up to a garden wall, “the easiest way to do this is to choose your area and then purchase small pocket planters. It’s easiest to select herbs, like lemongrass, basil, lavender, thyme, or similar,” recommends Bizzley. “Then, you pot your plants and place them into the small pockets.”
Outdoor living spaces are other ideal spots for incorporating biophilic design and seamlessly merging natural elements with those traditionally associated with the home.
“Homeowners with adequate backyard space can invest in elements like a living wall or pergola draped with greenery and flowers, or blend landscape and hardscape elements,” says Raboine. “You can incorporate organic materials like stones, boulders, unique grasses, and planters to your outdoor living areas to enhance the natural surroundings.”
Bear in mind that it’s going to take extra effort if you plan to implement living things like plants in and around your home.
“You do have to care for these things, like any outdoor garden. If that sounds like too much work, try a simpler approach like purchasing a few plants, implementing nature sounds in your environment, opening more windows to let in more natural sunlight,” advises Bizzley.