NATURE

Imagine you are outdoors. The sun is glistening on the surface of a lake and it’s silent except for the sound of a warm breeze shaking the leaves of a surrounding forest. Take a moment to breathe. How do you feel? Calm? Happy? We connect positive emotions with nature, and this causes us to seek its presence.

‘Sick building syndrome’ occurs when we spend too much time inside of a particular building, away from nature. The NHS suggests that possible symptoms include:

headaches

dry, itchy skin dry, sore eyes cough tiredness

difficulty concentrating

As more and more people gravitate towards cities, connections with nature are lost. Those living in urban environments have been shown to be more stressed, as their amygdala becomes more active in the brain. Often referred to as biophilic design (check out the book Nature Inside), buildings that make references to nature can improve mood, reduce stress and have physical benefits (such as decreased blood pressure or improved immunity).

Our reactions to physical environments differ depending on their risk and survival properties. Modern ‘habitats’ often lack the visual cues that link to survival (water, vegetation, etc). With a release of adrenaline and cortisol, this stress can trigger a physical reaction through the ‘fight or flight’ response (the sympathetic nervous system): our heartbeat and breathing quickens, muscles tense, and digestion slows down. Although a small amount of stress can be good for us (as it helps us to focus), chronic activation of this response (like an alarm system that stays turned on) can result in the wear and tear of the body, tipping it into an imbalanced state where a large number of illnesses become more likely. These include anxiety, depression, digestive problems, heart disease, sleep problems, weight gain, memory and concentration impairment.

Opposite page: landscapes photographed by @.rmfelix, during biological field trips across Portugal, with a mission of conserving the natural world

The concept of ‘biophilia’ was popularised by an influential biologist

Edward O. Wilson, who is also known for coining the term ‘biodiversity’

Sketches of a residential roof garden design in Wapping, London by Davis Architects

Photograph by

Tinnaphop Chawatin

Top left: an aesthetic office design that incorporates the natural material of wood and windows that provide natural light and views onto

nature

Middle: an example of a green wall with a range of plant species

A PLANT SOLUTION

Biophilia, although most commonly known as the title of a Björk album, is a concept which suggests that contact with nature is a universal and basic human need, derived from our evolutionary history. Biophilic design endeavours to forge this connection by referencing or inserting instances of nature, natural patterns or spatial conditions into the built environment.

Design can take advantage of the relaxing nature of nature, as it provides us with sensory stimulants: aesthetics (colour and repeating patterns), texture, smells and sounds. The use of windows can also provide building users with views to landscapes, the weather and the natural changes of daylight. Within buildings, nature can be referenced by water features, plants, or even materials (such as wood).

One of the most spaceeffective ways to add green indoors is via vertical green walls. They can act as room dividers to create more privacy and improve acoustics by reducing echoing. Indoor plants can also act as passive and low energy humidifiers; they can help to improve air quality, reducing risks of pneumonia, chronic lung disease and lung cancer. With more oxygen in the air, blood flow is increased, which can improve energy levels, mental focus and digestion. Although, it’s worth noting that differences between plant species provide large performance variability, and it’s therefore recommended that experts be consulted.

In urban areas, roof gardens, as a space to escape or socialise, are a great way to provide access to nature. At height, the air is cleaner, there is more daylight, there is less noise and users may feel safer. Gardens can also help biodiversity and attract wildlife; interaction with humans, other species, and even soil, has been shown to combat depression - the charity Mind deems ecotherapy as a clinically valid treatment.