Penthouse Design Draws Upon the Proven Benefits of Nature as a Key Design Element

Biophilia, or the love of nature, provides a connection to the natural world and instils a sense of wellbeing through the creation of a healthy environment. The air quality in a city dwelling is said to improve, through the air-purifying potential of plants, with certain varieties able to remove many pollutants. No small feat, considering indoor air quality is often inferior to outdoor, with residents breathing in all sorts of undesirable pollution.

The Royal Horticultural Society also reports that the potential psychological and physical benefits of indoor plants include improved mood, reduced stress, better productivity, longer attention span, quicker reaction times on computer tasks, lower blood pressure and a significant reduction in fatigue and headaches. Undoubtedly, this need for repeated and sustained connectivity to nature and its positive impact on people in general, is becoming increasingly important in our busy, urban lives.

The brief then, for this penthouse perched on the River Thames, was to incorporate a biophilic aspect into the space in order to make it a restorative refuge. Other than the views, it was originally an uninspired space and the two large terraces empty and unused. With cohesive vision and contemporary furnishings, it was transformed both inside and out into an attractive and harmonious home. The copious amounts of greenery that were added, including a living wall, together make the space incredibly calm and congenial. The residence now ticks all the boxes with close proximity to work in the Wharf, whilst infusing a sense of spaciousness and serenity. Who wouldn’t want to relax and rejuvenate on a lounger surrounded by vegetation gently rustling in the breeze?

About Oudejans Interiors

Oudejans Interiors, a leading biophilic design studio, draws upon nature, with its many proven benefits, to create beautiful, enduring spaces that engender wellbeing. Our ethos is to live sustainably, increasingly connected to the natural world. When designing interiors, we instil this organic connection to enhance clients’ lifestyles.

Biophilia Explained

Biophilia, simply stated, is the human connection to nature that assists us in attaining wellness in our lives. Have you ever noticed how calm and uplifted you can feel when walking in the woods, strolling along the beach or simply sitting in a park? That’s the ‘Biophilia’ effect. In rural settings, this connection can be more obvious, but as more of us live in densely populated, urban environments, this connection is slowly being lost. That does not mean however, that we are unable to embrace nature’s beauty at home. There are numerous ways to live more meaningful, holistic lives and in practice this is about re-establishing links with nature to create healthy environments for life and work.

“It is the simple core truth that humans need a connection to nature to be content”, according to Sally Coulthard, author of the book Biophilia. It is the notion that humans need to feel connected to their natural environment not only to survive, but also to thrive.

Benefits of Biophilia

Research undertaken over the past few decades has shown that biophilic design can improve cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being with benefits that include:

• Improve memory and concentration
• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Lessen stress levels
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure
• Enhance sleep patterns
• Calm the mind and boost contentment

According to architect Claudia Bonollo of Monamour Natural Design, “our mood and our capacity for communication are influenced by a combination of physical, mental and sensory factors. Therefore, an environment that involves all the senses makes us happier and more receptive,” she says.

Oliver Heath Design, has found that the inclusion of Biophilia to the design process can increase productivity by 8% and rates of wellbeing by up to 13% in an office environment. In healthcare settings, pain medication was shown to be reduced by 22% and in the education setting, rates of learning can be increased by 20-25% where biophilic designs have been incorporated.

And finally, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing weighs in with “I shall never forget the rapture of fever patients over a bunch of bright-coloured flowers… People say the effect is only on the mind. It is no such thing. The effect is on the body too.”

Biophilia in Interior Design

With regard to interior design, Biophilia is considered more of a lifestyle than a design trend. It can be applied across the entire spectrum of interior styles from contemporary to classic and has a place in all areas of interior design, be it in a residential or commercial setting. Eco design and green architecture are very closely related concepts with a focus on environmentally-friendly design practices that are good for people and planet, just as Biophilia is focused on the wellbeing of humans through their connection to the natural world.

Biophilic design has three key threads that together make a space biophilic:

1. Being in a space that has a direct, physical contact with nature;
2. Being in a space that reminds you of nature through the use of natural items;
3. Being in a space that connects to natural rhythms and outside spaces.

Key Elements of Biophilic Design

There are numerous key elements of biophilic design which include incorporating a few or all of the following:

• Flora and fauna – enhancing spaces with carefully selected vegetation to create a natural aesthetic and aid air purification;
• Natural effects – embracing natural patterns, textures, colours and materials, evoking nature to bring the outdoors in;
• Light – integrating natural light to deliver more vibrant and luminous interiors in tune with day and night cycles;
• Air – improving ventilation for a healthier home with well-designed airflow;
• Space – creating spaces that offer both a sense of perspective of outside and a cocooning refuge inside.

Take the example of firelight and candle light, which have slowly decreased in domestic settings as the use of heating (central and otherwise) and of course, electric light, now almost completely dominate in the modern home. Yet the ‘red’ light that emanates from firelight and candlelight plays an important trigger in the body’s preparation for rest and relaxation, making us feel calm and cosy.

In a study by the anthropologist Christopher Lynn, he measured people’s blood pressure and how sociable they felt after watching a log fire on a screen. One group watched with sound, the others no sound. The results found that those that watched with no sound showed little benefit, but those that experienced the audio and visual effects of the fire, had significantly reduced blood pressure, felt more mindful and focused on the present and were increasingly communicative and sociable. [1]

Including such a simple yet multi-sensory element such as a fireplace within the home can make a significant difference to the wellbeing of the individual. Just imagine the other benefits and sensations a real fire provides, such as the soothing radiant heat and comforting wood scent. And this is just one simple addition in the whole armament that nature and Biophilia can provide.

A Biophilic Future?

Biophilia is still deemed to be in its infancy within the interior design profession, despite being based on one of the most fundamental connections humans have with their environment. But with the current focus very much on the recovery, both physically and mentally, from a global pandemic, never has there been a better time or more crucial need to draw upon the healing powers of nature to improve our wellbeing.

Interior designer's approaches to home design should now be looking to design sustainably with nature at its core for the creation healthy, happy homes that are better for people and the planet. After all, it truly is all about creating nature-inspired spaces to support our health and wellbeing.