This presentation addresses the topic of Biophilic Designs as it pertains to designing smart cities, smart communities, smart buildings, smart offices, and smart homes. It also offers several examples from all over the world.

1. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
PRINCIPLES AND
CONCEPTS
Phil Andrews
September 2018

2. MAJOR POINT:
BIOPHILIC DESIGNS ARE
AN INTEGRAL PART OF
SMART CITY DESIGNS

3. The Biophilic Mentality
• BIOPHILIC DESIGN IS THE PRACTICE OF CONNECTING PEOPLE AND
NATURE WITHIN OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENTS AND COMMUNITIES.
Humanistic philosopher Erich Fromm was the
first to introduce the concept of biophilia,
which is Greek for "love of life" in 1964.
It's rooted in the idea that humans need a
connection to the natural world in order to
thrive and be happy.
Edward O. Wilson, a naturalist and
philosopher, is credited with popularizing the
term in the 1980s.

4. It All StartedWith Frank Lloyd Wright

5. ANOTHER MAJOR POINT:
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
PRINCIPLES FIT
PERFECTLYWITH
FENG SUI PRINCIPLES
https://www.realsimple.com/home-
organizing/decorating/tips-techniques/feng-shui-office-tips

6. http://pa-prive.com/tips-to-feng-shui-your-office/
https://www.luminous-spaces.com/good-feng-shui-office-design/

7. https://www.wofs.com/feng-shui-symbolism-taken-to-new-
heights-iconic-chinese-buildings-to-go-gaga-over/

8. FIRST, SOME
PRINCIPLES
Understandably, one may not be able to apply all the principles in one
design!
https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/14-patterns/
https://living-future.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/18-
0605_Biophilic-Design-Guidebook.pdf
https://designwanted.com/architecture/biophilic-architecture/

9. 1. Biophilia Is Not Just About Plants
Alone
• An obvious application of biophilia in indoor environments is the
addition of plants, but that’s just the starting line. Humans respond to
biomorphic patterns and arrangements seen in nature. Although the
patterns are non-living, the brain associates them with representations
of living beings.
• The Fibonacci sequence that appears in leaf arrangements and spirals
can appear in designs called biomimicry as a holistic approach to
biophilic design.

11. 2. Natural Light Is A Part Of Human
Rhythm
• The simple use of natural rather than artificial light improves morale
and comfort. Light helps merge interiors and exteriors using elements
of warmth. Introducing natural light into buildings to the greatest
extent possible in a controlled and responsive manner is crucial in
design.
• A proper orientation that maximizes northern exposure and minimizes
eastern and western exposures along with good engineering is
necessary. Shading devices, elements that push daylight deeper into
the building, and proper window arrangements need to be
incorporated.

13. 3. Human Mind And Body Appreciate The
Presence Of Water
• Features such as fountains, waterfalls, lakes, and small waterbodies
create a calm and soothing environment serving as breakout spots on
busy days.
• The windows face outside – therefore; water features should be
strategically placed outdoors as well. Studies have shown a human
preference for water features as it increases feelings of tranquility
within them.

15. 4. Multisensory Experience
• Biophilia is not just about vision alone, but to create and trigger multi-
sensory stimuli. Viewing nature has its positive implications no doubt,
but to feel, smell, or hear nature has far greater benefits.
• The potential to smell plants, feel the movement of air, and hear the
sound of water are simple interventions that energize the human mind
and body.

17. 5. Natural Materials And Finishes
• Choosing organic materials, colors, fabrics, and textures that occur
naturally in the environment provide a connection to the outdoors. It is
important to incorporate something authentic to the geology of a
particular location that can be locally sourced.
• A neutral color palette, wood finishes, limestone features, and palm
tree patterns could be some of the elements for use. Using lights that
create outdoor time changes within interior spaces would benefit
people inside. A play of color and shadow could help do the trick.

19. 6. People Love A View
• Create panoramic views that celebrate nature. Large windows
positioned near common, or lounge areas give users a breather on a
busy day. They get a chance to practice mindfulness which helps keep
them calm.
• Desks should be planned near such windows. When designing an
exterior courtyard, care should be taken to plan an indoor seating area
such that people can at least peer at it even if they can’t join in.
Movement within a user’s line of sight provides for a visual break
which will help them stay focused.

21. 7. Airflow Is Important
• Usually, indoor conditions (like the temperature in an office) are kept
constant, studies have shown that student performance is enhanced
in spaces with variability in temperature and flow. Airflow stimulation
has been proven to help people stay awake, improving performance
and focus.
• Providing variable conductance materials, multiple seating options
with differing levels of solar heat gain and proximity to operable
windows to allow the cool breeze to enter are some ways of achieving
thermal and airflow variability.

23. 8. Natural Shapes
• Natural shapes are shapes that exist in nature. Shapes inspired by
trees, flowers, bones, wings, animal skins, and seashells are today
used to create intimidating spaces. They make a space feel interesting,
comfortable, and possibly captivating.
• Humans have been decorating living spaces with representations of
nature since times immemorial. Arches and vaults, recreated rock
shelves, water paths are some notable examples.

25. 9. Artworks
• Organic artworks and landscape murals provide a good alternative to
give users a full view of the outdoors. They add life to a dead space.
• They are attention drivers which make people feel good and alive. On a
smaller scale, paintings or sculptures can make a textural addition to a
room.

27. 10. Human-Nature Relationship
• Biophilic design is all about recreating the relationship between
humans and nature that has existed for thousands of years. This
design ties all those elements together to form a natural environment
within man-made spaces.
• The fabric has an amazing ability to replicate nature from flowing like
water to glowing with light. Natural materials and textures along with
an earthy palette, sound of water, plants, natural light, and many other
things that reflect nature can be used to connect humans with nature.

29. 11. Buildings Must Be LEED Certified
• Platinum level-certified buildings are the best

31. 12. Taking Advantage of Vertical Farms
And Vertical Gardens
• Vertical Farms and Gardens will become a necessity as land
decertification and forest deforestation will become major issues in
the near future. Moreover, vertical farms and gardens support the
ideas of sustainability, going green, and resiliency, which will also
become super-important issues for both cities and all people and
families.

32. Home gardens as means
to self- sustainability and
resilience.
Greenery to provide
calmness and serenity!

35. 13. Future Cities Must Remove Stress And
Also Promote Better Overall Health
• Vertical Farms and Gardens will become a necessity as land
decertification and forest deforestation will become major issues in
the near future. Moreover, vertical farms and gardens support the
ideas of sustainability, going green, and resiliency, which will also
become super-important issues for both cities and individual families.
• Cities must find new ways to decongest cities.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/12/how-to-decongest-and-
depollute-the-worlds-mega-cities/
• https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/five-
cities-five-different-congestion-solutions/28555/

36. Denser but
healthier
cities
https://ww
w.hok.com
/news/2020
-02/the-
city-of-the-
future-will-
be-shaped-
by-these-7-
factors/

37. Decongesting
cities from
vehicles by
promoting
mass
transportation.
Learning to
slow down and
“unplug” will be
critical to
physical and
mental health.

38. 14. Future Cities Must Incorporate All Of
New Innovations And
• Smart Cities must utilize and leverage:
• Smart Education
• Smart Healthcare and Medicine
• Smart Transportation
• Smart Farming
• Smart Businesses and Factories
• Smart Homes and Buildings
• Smart Infrastructure

40. SOME EXAMPLES
At the City or Community Level
Main Focus: Improve Standard Of Living and Lifestyles

41. https://www.facebook.com/WWF/videos/1017445785397706

46. Singapore Hotel

52. This study has been
carried out for Paris
City Hall by «
Vincent
Callebaut
Architectures »
agency with the
engineers of « Setec
Bâtiment » in the
summer of 2014.

56. Barcelona’s Plan

58. Mexico City

59. Toronto – Orca (proposed)

62. SYDNEY

63. MELBOURNE

66. The New York Highline is one of the more famous examples of biophilic
architecture. Designed by James Corner Field Operations, the High Line is a 1.45-
miles long reconverted train line, with one mile currently open to visitors.
There are more than 300 species of perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees on the
High Line.

68. Frisco Station Plans
For City Of The Future

69. Bottom Line:
Nothing pretty or
exciting! Typical
mentality of folks
enamored with
technologies!
All the emphasis is on
the technical
infrastructure, not
beauty and
attractiveness!

70. Top 20 smart cities
revealed by Intel and
Juniper Research,
as of 2018!

71. SOME EXAMPLES
At the Office orWorkplace Level
Main Focus: Improve Quality Of Life andWork

76. Apple Store

79. Google Future HQ

91. Children’s Hospital, Liverpool