Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is a branch of architecture and interior design focused on creating spaces—interiors, gardens, and landscapes—that seamlessly connect to nature. These spaces look beautiful, support well-being, and work in harmony with their surroundings.
The term Biophilia quite literally means 'nature loving' and is centred around humankind's innate attraction to nature and natural processes. Humans inherently seek a strong link with nature.
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At Northumbria Cabin Co, we use biophilic design principles from day one in every project which results in architecture that goes beyond mere aesthetics, seeking to improve mental and physical health through design. By incorporating natural light, materials and planting, we create environments that are uplifting, calming and healthier to live in.
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Below we have outlined the ways in which we use the principles of biophilic, architectural and interior design to result in a beautiful and unique space which actively contributes to a healthy body and mind.
Connect with the landscape
Creating or strengthening a connection to a garden or a surrounding landscape can create a link between the building and the natural world. A visual link can most simply be achieved via a window. A stronger link can be created via glazed bi-fold or sliding doors, which, in addition to the visual link, when opened, allows the threshold between inside and outside spaces to diffuse.
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Placement of these openings is crucial. Ideally, a desk should be positioned near a window with views out. Often, to save space, a workspace is tucked away in a corner or under the stairs, with no views to the external. These setups aren't the most conducive to our wellbeing and can negatively impact our health. Looking out onto gently swaying greenery or a wider landscape can offer us micro restorative moments of recuperation throughout the day.
Natural Light
Light can be utilised in different ways throughout a building via considering sizing of openings, orientation and placement alongside the changing qualities of natural light through the day and year.
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With our software we are able to accurately map out how light will enter a building throughout the design stages in 3D, enabling us to evaluate how daylight and sunlight affect a space throughout the day and year.
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Solar gain, or passive solar heating, is beneficial in the winter where low-level direct sunlight through glazing can contribute to the warming of a building, can also be used to a benefit. Conversely, potential overheating through glazing should be considered.
Indoor Plants
It is therefore important to consider at an early stage incorporating planting throughout the building and garden. The colour, texture, patterns, and gentle movement of flora has been proven to greatly reduce stress and aid in recuperation
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Indoor plants don’t need to take up valuable floor or surface space - sometimes the most impactful place for a plant isn't the floor, but could be on the top of furniture, fixed to the wall or suspended from the ceiling.
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To really create a sense of wonder, and if you have the ceiling height to do so, we recommend hanging planting. This can be incorporated through a simple macramé planter basket, or a more complex hybrid approach of planting within light fixtures, which is becoming increasingly popular where space is lacking.
Garden
A traditional lawn does little to support a thriving ecosystem. Clover lawns are a great alternative as not only do they attract pollinators, they are also more drought and weed-resistant, require less mowing, and don't require fertilisation.
A tapestry lawn, made up of low interweaving plants, like wild violet and creeping buttercups is also an option which will add colour.
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By introducing water elements into outdoor areas, the multi-sensory positive impact our gardens already have on our wellbeing is enhanced.
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The most obvious addition in this regard is a water feature (such as a fountain or pond), which can attract and support biodiversity, adds humidity to the environment, cools spaces, and provides the soothing sound of splashing water.
Ergonomics
​​Each person has a perfect desk, chair or kitchen counter height which is calculated from a person’s overall height. Using an adjustable office chair and desk set to the correct height can improve comfort while helping to avoid back pain or poor posture.
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An adjustable standing desk, which allows for easy transition from standing to a sitting workstation can also be highly beneficial for comfort.
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Sitting at a desk for long periods is not ideal for our health. It is important to consider creating an area specifically for time away from the screen. This could be as simple as a lounge chair or a space to properly stretch out with a mat and cushions. Having breaks away from our computers, particularly in between meeting, has been proven to be essential in reducing stress and burnout.
Natural construction materials
Choosing natural construction materials wherever possible is important in achieving a healthy building.
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Some construction components contain solvents and chemicals that are known to contribute to health issues. Many materials - such as composite boards (chipboard and MDF) - may contain formaldehyde as bonding agents. Insulation is also a construction material which often contains harmful chemicals. Many newer chemicals may have a health risk that we don't understand, while we know that this isn't the case with natural materials.
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Choosing natural building products can eliminate that risk, such as opting for alternatives such as Medite or solid timber instead of chipboard or MDF, using sheep’s wool insulation such as Therma Fleece which has no adverse effects on health.
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Vapour permeable walls and roofs result in a breathable building that reduces the risk of moulds, which are a real health risk.
Finishing Materials
Many standard paints, furniture adhesives, varnishes and lacquers emit harmful toxins and VOCs into the internal environment and are best avoided completely.
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Finish options such as raw lime plaster walls and naturally treated timber not only avoid these harmful chemicals, but also embrace the natural textures and patterns of these natural materials.
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The use of timber for interior settings has been shown to increase optimism and reduce stress. Even the use of naturalised patterns (known as statistical fractals) on interior surfaces has been found to reduce stress levels.
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Natural textures should also be considered when it comes to flooring, with options including stone floor tiles and timber boards alongside natural-coloured or patterned carpets.
Maximise Insulation and airtightness
While approved documents set out prescribed requirements for insulation and airtightness, it is wise to surpass these standards. Adding extra insulation to walls, floors and roofs, as well as opting for triple glazing, results in both lower energy bills and improved comfort.
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Ensuring air tightness throughout the construction phase is also a critical consideration, to ensure the building is draft-free and that heat is not lost through gaps in walls.
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​Air tightness standards must be undertaken in parallel with ensuring air quality remains high through a well thought out ventilation strategy.
Air quality
Natural cross ventilation is a natural and effective way to provide ventilation without the need for mechanical means. Natural ventilation requires a level of background ventilation, often via trickle vents in windows, to supply fresh air. However, this compromises any air tightness gained in the building fabric.
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An alternative option is mechanical ventilation such as MVHR (Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery), which works to regulate internal air quality and temperature by regularly replacing stale air inside the building with a fresh supply. MVHR also removes removing airborne allergens like pollen and dust, so can be helpful for those with allergies. MVHR rellies on a fully airtight building for maximum efficiency. This option is mainly suited to a new build scenario.
Acoustics
Internal areas of a building can be acoustically sealed off from one another through acoustic insulation in walls. Large rugs under bed frames or furnishings can maintain the aesthetics of timber while dulling the sounds of footsteps. Characterful features such as timber floorboards should be considered in terms of acoustics and balanced with other materials.
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Fabric furnishings (curtains, cushions, throws) have sound-absorbing qualities that reduce echo. This can help to reduce the reverberation of sound where intelligible speech is required, such as around dining tables, creating a more comfortable environment to socialise.
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If noise pollution is a potential issue, it may be worth considering upgrading windows and doors to decrease any noise pollution entering the building. Thick curtains can also reduce noise pollution through windows.
