Designing with Nature: Journey with Biophilic Architecture.

In a world ruled by concrete and caffeine, where our closest connection to nature is a potted plant dying on a windowsill, I found my roots (literally) in Biophilic design.

As a Landscape Architecture grad, I thought I understood nature. But it was not until my Master’s thesis - designing a retirement community rooted in biophilic principles - that I really got it. Design is not just about structures, finishes or trends, it is about creating spaces that breathe, soothe and feel alive. Since then, nature has been my design compass.

What is Biophilic Architecture?

Biophilic architecture is the practice of designing buildings that encourage a connection with nature. The term "biophilia," coined by psychologist Edward O. Wilson, describes our natural inclination to seek a connection with the environment. In architecture, this translates to incorporating elements such as natural materials, water features, abundant natural light, and greenery.

At its essence, biophilic architecture strives for a seamless blend between the built environment and nature. This integration can lead to significant benefits, including increased psychological well-being. Studies show that people working in biophilic environments report a 15% increase in well-being and productivity.

What is Biophilic Design?

Let’s face it - our homes and offices are starting to look like they were designed by robots for robots. Sharp edges, grey walls, humming air conditioners. where’s the soul?

In today’s fast-paced, concrete-coated world, nature has become more of a backdrop than a part of our daily lives. That is where biophilic design steps in - not as a buzzword, but as a quiet, green rebellion against sterile spaces and disconnected living.

This idea clicked for me during my thesis. I mapped seven design strategies to mirror seven stages of life, creating spaces that resonated with the emotional sensitivity and lived experiences of the elderly.

From gentle breeze through an open courtyard, tree-framed views, shaded pathways to water features, dappled light filtered through a pergola, or the sound of running water in a meditation nook, every element was not just functional, it was deeply human.

Because when design remembers nature, people remember how to feel.

Seven Core Principles Made Simple:

Biophilic design is all about bringing the outdoors in - but not just with potted plants (though we love a good monstera moment). It is a holistic approach to design that taps into our instinctive love for nature. And guess what? It is not complicated.

Here is my go-to cheat sheet - the Seven Core Principles of Biophilic Design - the same ones I used in my thesis project designing a retirement community inspired by nature and the stages of life:

1. Nature in the Space - Plants, green walls, water features, and even natural life forms; living elements breathe life into static spaces.

2. Natural Shapes and Forms - Organic silhouettes instead of harsh geometry; leaves, waves, and gentle curves.

3. Natural Patterns and Textures - Using stone, wood grain, woven materials, or anything tactile and earthy; materials that feel alive.

4. Light and Shadow - Sunlight that moves, shadows that shift; it is design with a rhythm.

5. Colors from Nature - Greens, browns, ocean blues; tones that calm and restore.

6. Views of Nature - Positioning windows to overlook gardens, trees, or even sky views; Our eyes will thank us.

7. Emotional Connection - Spaces making us feel safe, alive and grounded.

Biophilic design is not just about making things look pretty. It is about creating places that remind us we are human. And maybe… a little wild, too.

The Power of Visual Connection with Nature

Ever caught yourself staring out the window mid-Zoom call, mesmerized by a swaying tree or a patch of sunlight on the floor? That is not distraction - that is your brain craving nature.

One design principle that is stuck with me through the years is the power of visual connection with nature. Whether it is a view of a garden, sunlight casting playful shadows, or birds splashing in a nearby fountain, these gentle visuals do more than look pretty - they heal.

Even 5 to 20 minutes of exposure to natural views can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus, and lift our mood. During a formative project in senior living, I gave special attention to how residents interacted with their surroundings. Resting spots were positioned to overlook open lawns or catch glimpses of rippling water. These became spaces of pause - quiet yet alive.

And this idea isn’t limited to homes or care spaces. In offices, classrooms, even waiting rooms - framing a tree, letting sunlight stream in, adding a green wall or textured natural material; can make a world of difference.

It is not about adding ‘green stuff’ - it is about creating moments of calm through connection.

Because sometimes, one good view beats ten deep breaths.

Beyond Landscape: Where Biophilia Belongs

Who said biophilic design was just for tree-huggers and luxury eco-resorts?

Over time, I have learned that biophilic design isn’t just about landscapes or giant green spaces. It belongs in boardrooms, classrooms, hospitals, homes, cafes, and even that oddly windowless pantry-turned-office. From boosting productivity at work to speeding up healing in hospitals, nature’s quiet power shows up in the subtlest ways - soft daylight, textured wood, a trickle of water, or even the feeling of airflow brushing past our face.

I have worked on everything from large campuses to compact interiors, and I keep circling back to the same question: how can we make this space feel more alive? The answer often lies in simple biophilic tweaks - orienting a desk toward a garden, choosing materials that age beautifully, or letting natural light do its dance across a wall.

Biophilic design isn’t just a trend - it’s a mindset. It does not shout “look at me!” but instead whispers breathe, pause, belong.

Sustainability Meets Sensibility

Sustainability is cool - but have you tried adding joy to the mix? 

Let’s face it, sustainable design has become the buzzword of the decade—and rightly so. It’s all about reducing energy, cutting waste, and saving the planet.

But here is a little secret I have learned over time: while sustainability helps the Earth, biophilic design helps us. And when the two come together, it is design magic.

Think of it like this:

• Sustainable design = Don’t hurt the planet

• Biophilic design = Help the people

  
  

In my design work (from cozy interiors to community-scale plans), this combo has been a game-changer. Yes, I care about solar panels and recycled materials, but I also care if someone walks into a space and feels better. Nature has that kind of power. A window overlooking a garden. A splash of green. A beam of warm daylight. These are not just “nice-to-haves” - they’re life-enhancers.

Especially in cities, where we are under fluorescent lights and running on coffee fumes, we need spaces that help us slow down, feel grounded, and reconnect. Designing with biophilia is my way of making sustainability not just smart, but also soulful.

Because healing the planet is important, but so is healing ourselves.

A Personal Design Philosophy

Somewhere between sketching student housing in Karjat and obsessing over how sunlight dances on a white wall, I have come to realize something: biophilic design is not just a design tool - it is a life philosophy. It is about remembering that we are not separate from nature; we are nature. We breathe with it, grow with it, and - when we design well - we heal with it too.

For me, the question that guides every project is simple:

“How can I bring nature in - visually, physically, emotionally?”

Sometimes it is a window that frames a neem tree. Sometimes it is a garden bench bathed in dappled shade. Sometimes it is just a breeze drifting through a quiet corner. These are not grand gestures; they are gentle ones. But they carry weight.

Because good design is not just about what is built - it is also about how people feel inside it. And maybe, just maybe, if we design like nature would - slow, intentional, with heart - our spaces will bloom too. Because the best spaces do not just shelter us - they nurture us, inspire us, and remind us to breathe.