How biophilic designs impact human well-being

Wood adapts to any climate. Its thermal fluidity is its superpower and ensures stability in temperature.

Biophilia refers to humans’ innate need for connections to nature. The big ‘B’ word in the age of mindfulness and sustainability is biophilic living, where those residing or working in a highly urbanised setting are adapting to a lifestyle that aligns with nature, rather than oppose it.

Architects, real estate developers and interior designers are now seeking and replicating designs that tap into the biophilic philosophy, which is love of life and nature. Biophilic design incorporates natural elements into the construction and interiors of buildings.

Wood is one of the few natural elements that can simultaneously achieve four important goals: reduced carbon emissions, increased sustainability in a building’s life cycle, improved occupant well-being, and increased organisational benefits from having happier, healthier and more productive employees.

Canadian wood blends itself well to the concept of biophilia as well as designs because it is sourced from sustainable forests and goes beyond the role played by regular organic counterpart. Here is how it benefits those who opt for biophilic living through projects supported by Forestry Innovation Consulting India (better known as Canadian Wood):

Stress levels

Studies show that when individuals have contact with nature, their neurological, physiological and psychological responses result in less stress, lower blood pressure, more relaxation and positive moods, and increased concentration.

Improved indoor air quality due to wood’s hypoallergenic properties is an important human benefit of wooden interiors, which invariably has a positive impact on stress levels and helps to reduce it.

Motivating aesthetics

People living or working in wood-enhanced spaces have reported being inspired by the ambience and energised to do more. Office workers in green-certified buildings, compared to those in conventional buildings, have better cognitive functioning, mainly due to better indoor environmental quality.

Wood in healthcare settings has restorative properties, resulting in improved patient recovery. In school classrooms with wood interiors, students experience better learning outcomes.

Sound sense

Wood has dual impact when it comes to sound – it can absorb it as well as deflect it. The same wood can enhance sound when dealing with musical instruments and acoustics, or control and isolate it when dealing with it architecturally.

Thus, when real estate developers take into account wood’s sound-absorbing qualities, they can add value to their projects by planning and working around these qualities, especially when building auditoriums and concert halls.

Climate control

Wood, it is said, adapts to any climate: heat, cold, rains or snow. Its thermal fluidity is its superpower and ensures stability in temperature. A wood house is able to retain heat when the temperatures drop.

In the same way, it prevents the house from overheating in summers and also keeps humidity at bay. This quality can be manoeuvred to the hilt to conserve energy, break dependency on appliances and control expenditure.

Healing touch

Wood has been found to play an important role in healing. Real estate developers have been quick to tap into the biophilic trend in constructing healthcare centres, incorporating wood in their design elements.

The presence of wood in the décor has been found to speed up recovery process of those ailing in the hospitals. Research has indicated that a view of nature can enhance recovery from illness and surgery, reduce the need for potent pain medication, and assist in faster recovery.

British Columbia (Canada) is ideally positioned to continue taking a leadership role in wood building design and construction. Research conducted in a wide range of disciplines points to the same evidence-based conclusion: wood is good for the environment, for people, and for organisations. (www.canadianwood.in).

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