Building the Future, not just a Structure.

April 04, 2019

After our last blog "Biophilic Design & Architecture", we were inspired to expand and look into sustainable design. 

Waste glass transformation Sustainability is “a form of development that meets the needs of the present generation, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Therefore, it is said to be a growing trend within the architectural industry. Although there might be some confusion between the words “green” and "sustainable”, there are various differences between them. “Green” buildings are not always “sustainable.” The main characteristic of a green building is to help reduce your carbon footprint that you leave on the natural environment. This includes energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, implementing natural ventilation systems; and using construction materials that reduce the use of volatile organic compounds (VOC). With sustainable design, you’ll always have to keep the big-picture in the back of your mind, by how our choices affect more than just the present. Its aim is to eliminate the negative impact on the environment by its comprehensive approach in selecting and integrating materials, resources and processes. This can be used for multiple purposes and account for long-term consumer satisfaction, environmental preservation and connection. Therefore, creating and maintaining conditions under which humans and nature can exists in productive harmony.

We can describe “sustainability” by how biological systems has endurance to be productive and diverse over time. We can encourage this way of thinking by using sustainable products that lower the impact on the environment, that are either completely renewable or are sustainably harvested. 

Therefore, giving the potential for the long-term maintenance of our well-being, which also correspond with the well-being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.

Made from recycled plastic trashIt’s very important to evaluate the way materials are produced and transported. Only structures that meets the zero energy standards – with zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions – can be considered sustainable. Therefore, incorporating sustainable design can lead to numerous amounts of changes within the building industry.

Structures that contribute to urban sprawls, which consume high levels of energy and resources, can’t be considered sustainable. For example, the wood used to build a house. Wood is generally considered an eco-friendly or green product, because it is natural and durable, but it is not always sustainable, this could depend on whether it comes from a sustainably managed forest. Wood will be sustainable if the company that cuts down the trees does not permanently deplete the forest or use factories that release toxic gases. It must be harvested in an environmentally responsible way.

On the other hand, what happens to materials when deconstruction takes place? Where do we go with all the building waste materials? Most people working in construction would just leave is at the dumps, but surely there must be a way to restore or recycle waste materials when deconstructing a site.

There are so many methods in how to incorporate sustainability. The best part is that it isn't hard to be sustainable with in your own environment.

Architect Robert Stern, Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, noted that “in ten years we are not going to talk about sustainability anymore, because it is going to be built into the core processes of architecture.”

Sustainable design encourages the process and not the product. If the product has elements of nature and is produced in an eco-friendly way, then it will be acceptable. However, designers won't choose products that impacts the environment in the production phase. The thought process that the designer needs to apply is an extremely skillful process. You have to be aware of all related issues of the environment to design a great sustainable building.

Bigger-picture evaluations at the start of a project can lead to better long-term decisions, to an overall greater success. The aim is to create a better future.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

For those that haven't heard of this term, Biophilic Design is the art of connecting buildings to nature and other forms of life. It is influenced by the elements and properties of nature. It is the love of living systems.

Have you noticed that after an extensive day at work, being surrounded by four walls of cement, drywalls, computer screens and phones, we tend to find ourselves stopping/glancing at a park or any other natural area during our travels back home. We find ourselves surrounded by the tranquility and commodities that separate us from the natural world. Those brief moments are strangely soothing and reinvigorating to our human lives.

Sadly, the leading concern when designing structures are related to problems that revolve around human well-being and the ‘livability’ of spaces that both degrades the environment and alienate us from nature. However, Green Architecture unify energy efficiency and lower the carbon footprint, it has accomplished little in the way of reconnecting us to the natural world. It is missing a piece of the puzzle of sustainable development.

By spending most of our time indoors, Biophilic Design is eagerly looking for ways to reconnect people with the natural environment. Designers can do this by incorporating characteristics of the natural world, such as natural light, ventilation, natural patterns, textures and materials in the overall structure, that allows those of us who spend most of our time in buildings to create a more productive, healthier built environment and grow our connection with the natural world.

Other elements to looks at are:

- Environmental features

- Natural shapes and forms

- Natural processes & systems

- Place-based relationships

- Evolved human-nature relationships - Thermal & Airflow variability - Material connection with nature - Complexity & Order - Prospect

Yes, Green Architecture and Biophilic Design & Architecture have similar principles and elements. They both aspire to incorporate environmental friendly materials and lower the carbon foot print, all though, there could be abstract versions of incorporating Biophilic Design into a structures.  Biophilic design’s objective is much more attentive and detailed than just adding a few pot plants into your interior. There are several diverse methods to incorporate the natural world into our design/structures.

Visual connection to nature is one of the key characteristics. By including large windows that look towards the most natural area will allow for a greater connection. We can observe how spaces are used in an indoor/outdoor fashion. The most popular choice is by enclosing an indoor space with either glass or not at all.

The tree has an escape way through the ceiling where we can see that the space is enclosed by windows, therefore, creating a visual center piece. Giving a real feel for nature to this building.

The same as the photo of where the grass is embedded into the concrete to create a softer feel. With large windows and wooden furniture. I just love the picture with the plants incorporated in the space, as it has a relaxed yet public feel. Creating almost a center space for people to get together. The glass roof is an excellent idea, specially if there is beautiful scenery or even beautiful architecture, as the soft feel of the trees creates a balance with the architecture. 

By using our different senses, not just by sight, our everyday materials and fabrics can also connect us to the natural world.  

Interior Decorating has also been influenced through this movement as we can see by exploring more natural fibers for your textiles, curtains and other Interior Decorating elements, instead of using synthetics and plastics. These elements creates the feel of hand crafted authentic design, representing function in it's most optimal form, having a conviction in elegance through efficiency.

Inspired by our third blog, "Let me plant one on you", we found that nature has a huge impact on the architecture and materials that we use for constructing anything. On that thought, sustainable materials also have a big part to play and the one or two architects out there who are using their knowledge to help achieve a better environment. By using Biophilia in an interior space or building one can create a better environment for the well being of many people and their general mind set onto life. We don’t all realise it, but the impact that architecture has on us is bigger than we think.  Biophilic Design points the way to creating healthy and productive habitats for modern humans.

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Let me PLANT one on you!

How do succulents confess their feelings? 

"Aloe you vera much!"

What did the hungry plant say to the other plant?

"I could use a light snack."

All jokes aside, plants aren't here just for their hilarious puns. Not only do they give us oxygen, but they have so much more to offer. Adding plants to an office interior can certainly make the place look nicer, but do they have an effect on the employees?

In today's working era, it is always clever to look for ways to improve your working environment. Surprisingly the smallest changes you make can lead to a happier and more productive you.

Big and bold or small and sparse, office plants are a proven way to reduce stress in the workplace. Different studies have taken place of comparing office spaces with and without plants, and how the different spaces effect the employee’s well-being. 

A study in 2010 shows, by the University of Technology in Sydney, significant reductions where found across a range of stress parameters for those working around plants:

• Tension/Anxiety - 37% reduction

• Depression/Dejection - 58% reduction

• Anger/Hostility - 44% reduction

• Fatigue - 38% reduction

• Confusion - 30% reduction

• Overall change in negativity - 64%

Reducing stress isn't the only benefit. Plants clean the air by removing pollutants that contribute to the health of the employees. Our leafy friends can clean everything from carbon monoxide to faecal particals, but it doesn't stop there. By enriching an office space with plants, productivity is increased by 15%. Why? Having plants around boosts your employee’s morale, an easy way to show them they are valued. Thus this positive influence allows them to become more “physically, cognitively and emotionally involved in their work”.

Biophilia - 'The love of living things'