This course is part of the ADA Academy

Nature of the Space incorporates humans’ desires around spatial configurations, including the desire to see beyond our immediate surroundings and our fascination with mystery. Associated design patterns include views across distances, spots of refuge from the main flow of activity, enticing mystery, and even an identifiable threat balanced by a known safeguard.

Biophilic design is shown to positively impact occupants of a space by reducing stress, enhancing cognitive performance, and improving emotion and mood. Measurable outcomes include reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones, as well as positive impacts on stress responses. Improved cognitive performance can equate to increased attention, concentration, creative performance, and memory restoration, as well as reduced irritation and fatigue. Emotionally, biophilic design can increase dopamine, and feelings of tranquility, comfort, and a perceived sense of safety.¹⁰

Biophilic Design Options

Implementing biophilia into design can happen at several steps in the process, from considering the size, shape, and direction of windows; using natural materials, and utilizing protective wall coverings; to final touches like murals, colors, textures, and art.

Walls are one of the largest elements of the interior. Adding design integrated throughout wall protection gives walls an additional purpose while expanding their longevity and enhancing protection against damage. Durable wall panels can be used in high-traffic spaces prone to damage and deterioration. Specifying printed wall protection provides a protective wall covering that can be applied directly to the wall at virtually any size, and another opportunity to implement biophilia into interior design. When the graphic is back-printed onto a clear sheet, like PETG, the custom artwork or pattern remains vivid and will not get scratched over time.

New digital imaging and printing techniques have enabled endless possibilities when it comes to adding art to architectural products, including wall coverings. Design professionals are no longer limited to solid colors or patterned wallpaper. Any image can find a place on a project’s walls, signage, or even window treatments. Complete customization enables architects and designers to enhance feelings of safety and comfort in a space. The colors, material, textures, and impact-resistance levels of these products also offer designers and facility staff limitless options to enhance the aesthetics of a facility’s interior, while delivering much-needed protection to the edifice itself.

Adding imagery throughout the built environment brings continuity to both the building and the occupant experience. With the right materials, design professionals can craft a tranquil design imitating nature, ensuring sustainability, enhancing the user experience, and securing significant savings by stopping damage before it happens.

High-quality wall protection products make it much easier to maintain a clean, well-kept facility appearance that makes a positive impression on all users, whether they are patients, students, employees, or visitors.

Bringing Biophilia into New Spaces

Because of increasing environmental awareness, advancements in technology and materials, and continuing research on the neurological and emotional benefits of connections to the outdoors and nature, the use of biophilia in design is on the rise. Given these benefits, it makes sense for biophilic designs to be added to spaces that may evoke stress or add challenges to our lives like places of work, education, and healthcare.

Biophilia has been shown to improve recovery times and provide a positive distraction for occupants who are dealing with negative emotional triggers. In places like hospitals, where both patients and staff are often under stress, biophilic design is beneficial for all building occupants. Research suggests that patients in hospital rooms with views of nature tend to recover faster than those in rooms without such views. Being exposed to natural light and views of green spaces can positively impact patients’ mood and overall well-being, which may contribute to quicker recovery times. Plus, nature has been shown to have analgesic effects, helping to alleviate pain and discomfort. It also promotes physical activity and rehabilitation for patients.

In school settings, there are additional benefits for those who are learning. Exposure to nature and natural elements has been linked to improved cognitive function, concentration, and academic performance. Students in classrooms with views of nature or elements of nature may exhibit better focus, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Reduced stress levels, anxiety, and fatigue create a more positive and supportive learning environment for both students and educators. Socially, biophilic environments create opportunities for diverse interactions, collaborations, and community building among students and teachers.

Adding biophilia to commercial office spaces can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve morale, in addition to the benefits listed above. Thoughtful consideration of a work environment demonstrates that the organization values the well-being and happiness of its employees. Employees who work in environments that prioritize their health and comfort are more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs and remain loyal to the company, reducing turnover rates and recruitment costs. There may be bonuses for the company as well. Organizations that prioritize sustainability, well-being, and environmental stewardship by implementing biophilic design practices often enjoy a positive brand image and reputation. Clients, customers, and stakeholders perceive these organizations as socially responsible and forward-thinking, which can enhance brand loyalty and attract top talent.

For similar reasons, biophilia is a great design consideration for libraries, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, malls, waiting rooms, community centers, transportation and aviation hubs, and more.

GOING BEYOND TO PROVIDE WELLNESS

It’s clear that there are many avenues to explore designing around wellness and every new design is an opportunity to do so. As we’ve seen, wellness covers aspects of accessibility and mental, physical, and emotional health. Let’s consider three examples of how architects can positively impact the occupant experience in the built environment through thoughtful specification, from structural elements and architecture to the finishing touches of interior designs.

Cordless Blinds and Window Coverings

As the saying goes, “Sometimes no news is good news.” Similarly, a mark of success for some design elements is their ability to go unnoticed. This is especially true of safety features. For example, smoke detectors often go unnoticed in a home until they sound an alarm. One such overlooked feature of a room is window blinds, shades, curtains, and, more specifically, the cords that may be attached to them. The shades and their cords only become noticeable when they’re a problem. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 200 incidents involving children up to eight years old due to strangulation from window covering cords, leading to various injuries including scars, quadriplegia, and permanent brain damage. Young children can quickly and silently suffer from strangulation on pull cords, continuous loop cords, inner cords, or any other accessible cords longer than 8 inches on window coverings. On average, about nine children under five years of age die every year from strangling in window blinds, shades, draperies, and other window coverings with cords, according to CPSC’s latest data.¹¹

In 2022, the CPSC voted to approve a new federal safety standard for operating cords on custom window coverings. The rule deems the presence of hazardous operating cords and inner cords on stock window coverings, and hazardous inner cords on custom window coverings, to be a substantial product hazard.¹²

Specifying cordless window coverings is a real step towards the safety of children, as well as another avenue for designers to show thoughtful consideration of all people who may be using a space, including children.

Inclusive Bathroom Designs

While the programming and modernization of schools and curricula continue to change, school bathrooms are overlooked as places to implement positive change. However, there has been an increased interest in changing the conventional layout of a multi-stall bathroom.

Specifically, completely enclosed toilet rooms are becoming more popular in the education market versus the traditional toilet partition, prioritizing increased privacy, safety, and comfort for students. As school districts refresh their bathroom construction, they are asking a question that applies to designers and architects of many kinds of spaces: “What should a public restroom look like?”

Four design elements can help architects begin to answer that question: location, visibility, privacy doors and hardware, and communal sinks.