Biophilic elements are growing in popularity as architects and designers incorporate more green design into the structures they’re building.
The inclusion of nature in architecture
Architect Ron Schwenger and his company, Architek Green Building Solutions, have been very busy building green roofs, living walls and incorporating skylights, to the benefit of the people living or working in these spaces. He says it comes down to “the inclusion of nature in architecture.”
It’s not a new idea; Frank Lloyd Wright demonstrated the power and the beauty of this awareness of design in his masterpiece, Fallingwater residence.
What appears to be evident now, is the cumulative benefits to people living and working in these environments.
In a recent project in Toronto, constructing a living wall in an office, Ron’s company witnessed the measured benefits in increased oxygen and the depletion of carbon dioxide.
Goole and Apple, two of the most progressive and successful companies today, are committed to biophilic elements such as skylights and green walls and roofs to provide the best environments for their employees.
Ron Schwenger’s company recently completed the Sony head office in Vancouver, where employees helped pay for the green wall, they wanted included.
Tests of school environments have proved the benefits of natural light exposure to students, over those having to learn and study in artificial light.
Even hospitals, are now leaving the antiseptic notions behind in favour of the proven healing benefits of plants and iight. The B.C. Women’s Hospital is incorporating biophilic elements into its expansion project. They are including geen roofs and ‘plant the deck’ spaces for patients and staff.
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