Natural spaces in our cities and urban environments are an underused answer to many societal challenges we face . Worsening mental health , poor air quality and limited recreational spaces are issues city-goers face every day , and the pressures on everyday life caused by these problems can no longer be ignored . Otis Murdoch , Architect at JDDK Architects , explores the different methods for integrating nature into a range of buildings , from healthcare through to offices , and how any construction or refurbishment project can be practical in bringing elements of the outdoors inside for users to enjoy .
T he built environment has a major influence on the urban quality-of-life – when views out of buildings showcase natural landscapes , plants are extracting carbon from the air and green spaces are accessible to all , then people begin to feel better connected to their environment . In answer to this growing responsibility , architecture projects are considering the integration of nature much more than they have done in previous years .
Balancing buildings and nature
There are three distinct theoretical strands to how we can incorporate nature into architecture ; biophilia , biomorphism and biomimicry :
• Biophilic design integrates and connects us directly to natural phenomena and environment .
• Biomorphic design evokes nature by drawing inspiration from nature .
• Biomimicry in design works like nature – mimicking lessons from nature .
S
IN :
CIPLES
Although this range of design approaches offer a wide scope of ways that nature can be considered in design , and we have seen examples across the world of environments and structures that heavily emulate natural forms . There is a balance to be struck within architectural design . Where there are multiple overt references to natural forms there is a risk that people can begin to feel alienated and the design can overwhelm the purpose of the space . We find that subtle integrations , that create delight and excitement are most successful .
As architects we are able to work with our clients to develop the best possible version of a space or place , within the resources available , often challenging preconceived ideas . The influence and integration of nature can help us to achieve
www . intelligentbuild . tech 33