5. Affinity for Nature and Social Connection

 

5

8 Design Principles Used in Creating Social Spaces 

Using nature or natural elements is another principle of social connected design.  

There is much study that has confirmed that people have an innate desire for nature and natural materials and environments.  In our designs we can draw on this desire and help people to connect to natural elements through design elements and forms.  

Biophilia is a term associated with this thought. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.  We can design these things into our spaces in some ways and help people connect with nature.

The six elements of biophilic design were conceived by Stephen Kellert, a social ecologist and prominent biophilic design advocate who wrote extensively on the subject.  His six elements seek to create a framework for how to apply biophilic principles to our designs.

There is some overlap between a sense of place and biophilic principles as Kellert suggests 2 divisions in the 6 principles; Organic having to do with shapes and forms that connect people to nature and secondly he suggests place-based or vernacular elements having to do with features that connect the built environment of buildings, structures and landscape to culture and ecology and landforms of the area.

1. Environmental Features:  this is characteristics of the natural world found in the built environment.

Office Design, The Netherlands

2. Natural Shapes and Forms: representations and simulations of the natural world on buildings, both internally and externally.

3. Natural Patterns and Processes: Distinct from shapes and forms, this element focuses on how incorporating properties found in nature enhances our built environment,

Whipple Russel Architects

4. Light and Space: using natural light to manipulate every aspect of light in the space.  Light, shadow, pattern and reflections and many more opportunities to use light for connection to nature and then environment.

FIGR Architecture and Design

5. Place Based Relationships: this is the linking of culture and development to nature and ecology.

Bosco Verticale Apartment Towers Milan

6. Evolved Human Nature Relationships: As opposed to the other 5 elements, this one is focused on the fundamental aspects of our relationship with nature and how they can be reflected in the built environment.

Thorncrown Chapel, Faye Jones Architect

There is much that can be discussed in this section, but I will limit my comments to this introduction.  Biophilic design is an old concept but with new language.  There are good principles here to work into our designs.

Bibliography: Biophilic design: the theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life Kellert, Heerwagen and Mador