Enhancing Productivity of Employees in Workplaces Through Biophilic Design Strategies (01606142015, B.Arch.)
Chapter 2: Literature study Biophilia is a 'love of nature' or 'living system'. "The innate tendency [in human being] to focus on nature and natural processes" . (E.O. Wilson) Biophilic Design is about creating good habitat for people as a biological organism in the modern building and construction that advance people health. Good habitat means ecologically sound and productive settings where people function to their optimal potential. (Dr. Stephen Kellert)
2.1 Biophilia and Biophilic Design Biophilia proponents say that the combination of nature into the workplace can serve to alleviate the reaction to human pressure and help improve fitness, memory and attention. The following section provides an overview of biophilia and new theories of nature-based functionality, stress reduction, and literature-based biophilic development. 2.1.1 History of Biophilia and Biophilic Design In 1973 (Britannica) the term biophilia was first used by Erich Fromm and later developed by Edward. O. Wilson. Wilson defined biophilia as nature's innate need and attachment. There's no new concept of biophilia. Human beings have been inhabiting in and with nature for most of our evolutionary time on earth. Our ties to nature suggest that humans have evolved on the savannahs, so we have a genetic memory to prefer similar places. Although its name has been coined in recent history, architecture has seen indicators of biophilic design from as far back as Babylon's Figure 1 The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, painting by Ferdinand Knab. (Cartwright, 2019) Hanging Gardens. The stress response is in our biology, as research suggests the restorative properties and associated health benefits of nature-based attributes such as the specific biophilic interactions of forests, plants and views in reducing tension. Biophilia's potential role as a health benefit or healing source is also not new. Although the 12
