Designing for the Wellbeing of People through Biophilic Design
Buildings serve as environments for us to live, work, and socialise in. And with more time spent indoors than ever before, many of us have become aware of our indoor climate and how this can actively affect our mood, productivity, and health. Biophilic Design enables more productive, happier, and healthier spaces to be created.
BIID Presentation at Surface Design Show 2022
Attending events such as the Surface Design Show 2022 is a great way for us to keep up to date with industry requirements and trends to ensure our material is meeting the ever-changing needs of specification.
After attending this year’s event between the 8th and 10th February 2022 held at the Business Design Centre in London, the overriding theme of the show was creating a ‘Sense of Place’. Putting people and the planet’s wellbeing at the heart of design.
On Day 2 of the event, Liz Bell Director from the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), delivered an insightful presentation on ‘The importance of sustainable specification in interior design’, including a powerful statistic from the WELL Building Standard:
‘The average person spends almost 90% of their time indoors’.
This is a lot of time spent away from the great outdoors! As humans, we have an evolutionary need to surround ourselves with nature, which can have a deeply profound effect on both physical and mental health.
With more time spent indoors than ever before, we’re all seeking to strengthen our connection with nature, which is why biophilic design is no longer a trend, it is a key aspect of interior design.
Biophilic Design
Biophilia can be introduced into a design in a number of ways through natural material selection, use of natural light, incorporating fresh foliage, introducing natural textures and the choice of colour palette to bring our love of nature indoors. This design principle not only addresses the natural aesthetics but recognises how connecting to nature can reduce stress, blood pressure and heart rates whilst also increasing productivity, creativity, and well-being, forming a healthy indoor environment for people to thrive.
Decors Inspired by Nature
As we seek to be closer to nature, shades of green are recognised in creating a calming, enveloping spirit of the great outdoors. From rich, deep forest greens to brighter, energising hues, drawing from nature can uplift and revitalise us, making green a great colour for many environments.
BioCarbon Laminates are available in a range of decors on the green spectrum including Kiwi (BC129), Pale Olive (BC554) and Atoll (BC559).
Our selection of wood grain decors including Royal Walnut (BC646) and Country Oak (BC688) are another way of encompassing biophilia, bringing warmth and the rich natural elements of nature indoors.
Sustainable Material Selection
Biophilic Design principles also consider the wellbeing of the planet through use of sustainable materials. BioCarbon Laminates are the first carbon neutral laminates to be supplied within the UK. The laminates provide a positive choice for the environment by delivering carbon neutral credentials of net zero to high quality, cost effective, and durable decorative materials. The range has received third party recognition of environmental performance through a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) from Cradle-to-Grave, enabling specifiers to have confidence in their sustainable material selection.
Supporting You with Biophilic Design
Putting people at the heart of space, considering their environment and wellbeing, are important factors to achieving biophilic design.
To discuss the requirements of your next project and how you can incorporate Biophilic Design through material selection, contact Performance Panels, UK Distribution Partner of BioCarbon Laminates.
Call +44 (0) 1422 310 319 or email info@performance-panels.co.uk