Biophilic design

Biophilic design is an idea used in the building industry to help people feel more connected to the natural environment. It does this through direct contact with nature, indirect references to nature, and by shaping spaces and places in ways that remind people of natural settings.

Several basic elements are important in biophilic design. Sunlight is a key foundation, as natural light supports health and comfort. Floor plans often use open layouts without many partitions so that daylight can move through the space more easily. Window style is also important: biophilic design tends to use large windows so that natural light can blend smoothly with interior spaces.

Biophilic design can be used at the scale of a single building or an entire city. Supporters argue that it offers health, environmental, and economic benefits for people and urban areas, with few disadvantages. Although the term itself is recent, features now called biophilic design can be seen in much older architecture, such as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Many design features now grouped under biophilic design overlap with earlier sustainable design guidelines, but the newer term has helped attract wider interest and academic attention.

 Biophilia hypothesis 

The word "biophilia" was first introduced by the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm. In his 1973 book The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, he described biophilia as the "passionate love of life and of all that is alive...whether in a person, a plant, an idea, or a social group". Fromm approached the subject as a psychoanalyst, focusing on the unconscious mind. He treated biophilia as a biologically normal instinct, describing a broad tendency to love and value life.

Later, many scientists and philosophers used the term in different areas of study. A notable example is Edward O. Wilson's 1984 book Biophilia, where he first proposed the "Biophilia hypothesis" and helped make the concept widely known. Wilson defined biophilia as "the innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes", and he argued that the human connection with nature is not just psychological but also has a genetic basis.

The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans have an inborn need to connect with nature and other living things because our species has always depended on nature for survival and quality of life. This can be seen in everyday behavior: people travel to national parks, beaches, and nature reserves, hike in the mountains and forests, or explore jungles for enjoyment and relaxation. Many sports also depend on natural settings, such as skiing, mountain biking, and surfing.

In housing, people often pay more for views of nature. Buyers may spend about 7% more on homes with excellent landscaping, 58% more for homes with views of water, and 127% more for properties directly on the waterfront.Terrapin Bright Green. "The Economics of Biophilia." Terrapin Bright Green, LLC, 2014. Humans also value relationships with animals. In the United States, around 60.2 million people own dogs and 47.1 million own cats.)

 Biophobia 
While biophilia describes an inherited tendency to experience and love nature, biophobia describes an inherited fear of nature and animals. In modern life, this can be expressed as a desire to separate from nature and move toward technology and human-made environments. People may prefer to focus on human-made objects, interests, and managed activities instead of natural ones.

Some fears of the natural world come from threats faced during human evolution, such as fear of snakes, spiders, or blood. In buildings, biophobia can be triggered by design features such as very bright colors, great heights, small enclosed spaces, darkness, or very large open spaces that feel exposed. These conditions can cause discomfort or anxiety in occupants.

 Dimensions 
Stephen Kellert, considered one of the pioneers of biophilic design, developed a framework for using nature in the built environment to support human needs. His principles are meant to honor nature, show respect for it, and provide rich, multisensory urban environments. He described different dimensions and attributes that together define biophilic design.

 Direct experience of nature 
Direct experience means physical, tangible contact with natural features. Light helps people understand the time of day and season and supports comfort and wayfinding. In buildings, light can enter through clerestories, reflective surfaces, skylights, glass, and atria, creating patterns, shadows, and movement that support well-being and interest.)

Air provides sensations of ventilation, temperature, and humidity. Designers can use windows and passive strategies to provide varied air conditions, which can improve comfort and productivity.

Water is a multisensory element that can offer movement, sound, touch, and sight. In buildings, water can appear as ponds, fountains, wetlands, or aquariums. People tend to have a strong positive response to water, and its presence is associated with lower stress and better health, performance, and satisfaction.

Plants bring vegetation into indoor and outdoor spaces and create a clear connection to nature. Designers may use features such as green walls or many potted plants, with some flowering species to add seasonal change. Studies suggest that plants can improve physical health, performance, productivity, and stress reduction for building users.

Animals are harder to include but can be present through aquariums, gardens, bird or animal feeders, and green roofs. Contact with animals in these ways can promote interest, mental stimulation, and pleasure.

Weather can be seen directly through windows and semi-outdoor spaces, or simulated indoors by controlling air and temperature. Awareness of weather was once vital for human survival and fitness and today still supports awareness and mental engagement.

Natural landscapes can be created by integrating self-sustaining ecosystems into built environments. Many people prefer landscapes that resemble savannahs, which feel open and rich with life. Buildings can provide contact with these landscapes through distant views or direct access to gardens. Such environments often increase user satisfaction.

Fire is a natural element that is difficult to use safely, but when included through fireplaces or similar features, it can bring color, warmth, and movement that many people find appealing and comforting.

 Indirect experience of nature 
Indirect experience refers to contact with representations of nature rather than direct, physical elements.

Images of nature, such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, murals, or videos, can be emotionally and intellectually satisfying for building occupants and are commonly used to bring nature into interior spaces.

Natural materials, such as wood and stone, are often preferred because they can be mentally stimulating and show the "patina" of time as they age and change. Interior materials can include natural fabrics and furnishings. Leather has often been suggested as a biophilic material, but concerns about animal agriculture (leather as a co-product of the meat industry) and its impact on climate change have led to greater interest in faux or plant-based leathers made from materials such as mushrooms, pineapple leaves, or cactus. Some argue that destroying animals to feel closer to nature conflicts with the philosophy of biophilia.

Natural colors, or "earth tones", are colors commonly found in nature, such as softer browns, greens, and blues. When selecting colors for buildings, designers often use these natural tones.Brighter colors are generally used more sparingly. For example, one study found that red flowers on plants were experienced as tiring and distracting by occupants.

Simulations of natural light and air are useful in spaces where real daylight or natural ventilation is difficult. Designers can use varied artificial lighting, reflective surfaces, and natural-like geometries in light fixtures to mimic daylight patterns, and they can adjust temperature, humidity, and air speed to imitate natural air movement.

Naturalistic shapes can appear in architecture through columns, facade patterns, or details that echo forms found in plants, shells, or other natural objects. These features can change a static space into a more interesting, dynamic environment.

Evoking nature means using design features that suggest natural landscapes or living systems, even if they are not literal copies. For example, designers may echo different plant heights found in ecosystems or shapes associated with animals, water, or plants to create a natural feeling.

Information richness refers to environments that are complex and layered but not chaotic. Many ecosystems include diverse abiotic and biotic elements. Biophilic design can reflect this by adding variety in materials, colors, and spatial arrangements that invite curiosity and thought.

Change and the Patina of time involve using materials that weather and age in visible ways. People are often drawn to natural processes of change and growth because these mirror human life. Buildings can echo this by using organic materials that gradually change color or texture over time.


Natural geometries are patterns seen in nature, such as fractals, which repeat with variation at different scales. Building facades or structural elements can use fractal-like patterns, hierarchical scales, and flowing lines rather than only straight lines and sharp angles. Common examples in design include honeycomb patterns or ripples similar to those on water surfaces.

Biomimicry is a design approach that imitates functions found in nature to solve human and technical problems. In construction and product design, biomimicry can stimulate creativity and encourage designers to learn from natural systems.

 Experience of space and place 

The experience of space and place focuses on how spatial relationships can support well-being. Prospect and refuge are key ideas. Refuge refers to spaces that feel sheltered, safe, and comfortable, such as alcoves or areas with softer lighting. Prospect refers to views over larger areas, horizons, movement, or possible risks. Buildings can combine these, for example, by including balconies and high spaces with views (prospect) along with lower, more enclosed areas (refuge).

Organized complexity aims to provide variation without chaos. In architecture, this can be achieved through patterns, changes in form, and detailed design that offer richness but still feel coherent.

Integration of parts refers to the way different elements combine into a meaningful whole. Clear boundaries, strong central focal points, or well-structured layouts can give users a sense that the building is organized and understandable.

Transitional spaces connect indoors and outdoors or link different interior areas. Examples include porches, decks, atria, doors, bridges, windows, and foyers. These spaces can help people feel that movement between environments is gradual and comfortable.

Mobility is about making it easy and intuitive for people to move through a building or site, even when layouts are complex. Clear entrances, exits, and circulation routes help occupants feel secure and oriented.

Cultural and ecological attachment to place contributes to a sense of identity. Designers can reflect local geography, history, and traditions in buildings and public spaces. Ecological identity can be supported by creating ecosystems that use native plants and animals and reflect local environmental conditions.

Kellert’s different types of experience—direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place—are not meant to be applied in only one way. Each project will use a different combination of strategies depending on building type, location, and user needs. Architects and project owners collaborate to choose the biophilic principles that best fit their goals and users.

 City-scale 

At the scale of cities, Timothy Beatley argues that biophilic urban design should create places where residents actively participate in, protect, and connect with the surrounding natural landscape. He describes a framework with four main dimensions: infrastructure, governance, knowledge, and behavior. These also serve as indicators of how biophilic a city already is.

Biophilic conditions and infrastructure involve ensuring that many residents live close to green spaces or parks. Cities can achieve this by building linked ecological networks, walking paths, and trails; dedicating land to vegetation and forest; requiring green or biophilic features in buildings; and using plants and wildlife throughout urban areas.

Biophilic activities refer to how people use these spaces. Indicators include more time spent outdoors and in parks, longer outdoor periods at schools, increased walking and cycling, higher participation in community gardens and conservation groups, and more volunteer efforts related to nature.

Biophilic attitudes and knowledge are reflected in the number of residents who care about nature, can identify local species, and show curiosity about nearby ecosystems.

Biophilic institutions and governance involve formal support from governments and organizations. This can include public budgets for nature-related projects, regulations that require green or biophilic features, grant programs that encourage use of biophilic design, natural history museums and education programs, and a strong presence of nature-focused non-governmental organizations and community groups.

Researchers have also adapted Kellert’s ideas to product design, defining biophilic dimensions of products and studying how these affect user preferences.

 Benefits 
Supporters of biophilic design argue that it benefits building users and urban environments by strengthening human connections to nature. At the city scale, many see its main advantage as making cities more resilient to environmental stress and climate-related risks.

 Health benefits 
 Improved mental health 
One study by Alvarsson and colleagues found that natural sounds improved people’s physiological recovery from stress by 9–37% compared to traditional urban noise after a psychological stressor was introduced.

A 2023 review of biophilic design in healthcare buildings found that most existing research focuses on how indoor plants affect physiological indicators linked to psychological states. It concluded that there is still limited evidence directly connecting biophilic design features to changes in positive emotions and feelings, and that more research is needed on these direct psychological outcomes.

 Reduction in stress and painkiller usage 
Studies suggest that indoor plants can reduce stress and increase pain tolerance. In experiments comparing natural and urban environments, people exposed to natural surroundings showed faster and more complete recovery in measures such as blood pressure, vital signs, and survey responses after stress. The researchers suggested that these responses to nature involve the Parasympathetic nervous system, which supports rest and recovery.

Another study compared people who looked at real views of nature through a glass window, a digital display of nature, or a blank wall. The group with real views showed stronger mental restoration and better physiological responses. To check if light intensity might be responsible, the authors explored the link between heart rate recovery and light levels but did not find a significant relationship. This suggests that the presence of actual outdoor nature, and not only daylight, plays an important role in recovery.

In hospital settings, Peter Newman and Jana Soderlund found that improving the quality of views from patient rooms, such as by adding vistas of nature, reduced depression and pain. This change was linked to shorter hospital stays, from an average of 3.67 days down to 2.6 days.

 Cognitive performance 
Aristizabal and colleagues studied how biophilic office design affects cognitive performance. They found that participants’ working memory (the ability to hold information while doing a task) and response inhibition (the ability to suppress automatic responses) improved under all biophilic conditions, especially when auditory and multisensory elements were used. Visual strategies included plants, digital projections, and fractal images; auditory strategies used natural sounds; multisensory strategies combined both.

However, performance related to switching between tasks and maintaining attention was more complex. It improved in the auditory-only condition but worsened in the multisensory condition. This suggests designers need to balance multisensory elements to support concentration while avoiding distraction. Participants also reported feeling more satisfied with air movement during visual and multisensory biophilic conditions, even though measured air quality and circulation did not change. A pilot experiment by Sanchez and colleagues similarly found that biophilic design in offices supports better performance and creativity.

 Social connectivity and increased physical exercise 
In biophilic cities, Andrew Dannenberg and co-authors found higher levels of social connection, better ability to cope with life crises, and lower rates of crime, violence, and aggression. The same work noted that outdoor programs such as the "Green Gym" in the United Kingdom encourage people to clear overgrown plants, build walking paths, and plant vegetation. These activities combine physical exercise (walking, running, climbing) with social interaction. They were associated with stronger social capital, higher physical activity levels, and better mental health and quality of life.

Dannenberg and colleagues also reported that children growing up in greener neighborhoods tend to have lower rates of asthma. Greener areas were associated with lower mortality and smaller health gaps between wealthier and poorer residents.

 Mental health benefits 
Fractal patterns, which repeat similar shapes at different scales, are common in nature and are a basis for several biophilic patterns. Researchers have studied how people respond to fractal-based designs installed in human-made spaces. These "global-forest" designs are made from smaller fractal "tree-seed" patterns that combine into a larger fractal configuration. The studies found that while preferences and perceived complexity increased with fractal complexity, feelings of relaxation and refreshment sometimes stayed the same or decreased as patterns became more complex.

The research suggests that good fractal designs balance two needs: increased arousal (desire for engagement and complexity) and reduced tension (desire for relaxation and calm). Mid-to-high complexity global-forest patterns made from tree-seed components seemed to provide such a balance and can be used in biophilic design to support occupant well-being.

 Environmental benefits 
By adding natural elements such as plants, trees, rain gardens, and green roofs to built environments, cities can better manage stormwater runoff. Surfaces become less impervious, and more water can soak into the ground. Excess greywater can sometimes be reused to irrigate vegetation, and green walls and roofs can act as biofilters that reduce water pollution.

More vegetation also helps reduce carbon emissions, lessen the heat island effect, and improve biodiversity. Carbon is stored in plants through photosynthesis. Green and high-albedo roofs and facades, along with trees shading streets and buildings, can reduce heat absorption compared to dark materials like asphalt. These measures can lower energy use for heating and cooling by around 25% and reduce temperature swings by about 50%.

Green facades and other habitats can support local biodiversity, especially when native species are used. For example, the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore has documented the return of 103 butterfly species on its grounds thanks to extensive planting across the building exterior.

 Economic benefits 
Biophilic design can cost more at first, due to features such as green walls, complex landscaping, or higher-priced organic materials and details. However, some researchers argue that health and environmental benefits make up for these costs over time. Peter Newman estimated that by adding biophilic design and landscapes, cities like New York City could save about US$470 million through increased worker productivity and US$1.7 billion through reduced crime costs.Newman, Peter, et al. Resilient Cities: Overcoming Fossil Fuel Dependence. 2nd ed., Island Press, 2017.

Stores on streets with heavy vegetation have been found to attract more pedestrians, who may spend around 25% more. Increasing daylight in retail spaces through skylights has been associated with sales increases of roughly 40% (plus or minus 7%). Buildings with biophilic design features can also command higher sale prices; some studies report premiums of about 16% compared to conventional buildings.

 Sustainability and resilience 
At the urban scale, Timothy Beatley argues that biophilic design can help cities adapt to climate change and other stresses. He developed a framework with three main parts: Biophilic Urbanism, Adaptive Capacity, and Resilient Outcomes.

Biophilic Urbanism covers physical measures such as protecting and restoring natural systems and adding green infrastructure. A key pathway, the biophysical pathway, focuses on strengthening natural protective barriers. For example, New Orleans built over many of its natural wet plains, increasing its flood risk. Estimates suggest that if its bayous were preserved, the city could save around US$23 billion per year in storm protection.

Adaptive Capacity concerns how communities change their behavior in response to these physical measures. Beatley’s commitment to place and home pathway describes how attractive natural environments can create strong emotional bonds to local places. When people feel more attached to their city, they may be more likely to stay and help rebuild after disasters rather than leave, and they may also push for stronger protection and planning measures.

Resilient Outcomes are the effects that follow from both Biophilic Urbanism and Adaptive Capacity. Beatley suggests that residents in biophilic cities may become healthier and more active as they walk, cycle, and spend time outdoors. Studies show that people who walk in nature report less depression and anger and more vigor than people who walk only in indoor environments.

 Use in building standards 
Because of growing evidence about the benefits of biophilic design, some organizations have begun including it in building standards and rating systems. Two of the most prominent are the WELL Building Standard and the Living Building Challenge.

 WELL Building Standard 
The International WELL Building Institute includes biophilic design as both a qualitative and a quantitative feature in its WELL Standard. The qualitative requirements ask projects to describe how they integrate nature, natural patterns, and opportunities to interact with nature inside and outside the building. This includes environmental elements, daylight, and spatial qualities, and must be explained in a professional narrative."Biophilia I - Qualitative." WELL Building Standard, International WELL Building Institute, 2017, standard.wellcertified.com/mind/biophilia-i-qualitative.

The quantitative requirements specify minimum amounts of indoor and outdoor biophilic features. For outdoor areas, at least 25% of the project site must include accessible landscaped grounds or rooftop gardens, and 70% of that landscaped area must be planted."Biophilia II - Quantitative." WELL Building Standard, International WELL Building Institute, 2017,   standard.wellcertified.com/mind/biophilia-ii-quantitative. Indoors, plant beds and pots must cover at least 1% of floor area, and plant walls must cover at least 2% of floor area. For projects larger than 100,000 sq ft, a water feature at least 1.8 m high or 4 m2 in floor area is required. Compliance is confirmed through assurance letters from architects and owners as well as on-site spot checks. Some building types, such as core-and-shell projects and existing interiors, have slightly reduced requirements.

 Living Building Challenge 

The International Living Future Institute created the Living Building Challenge, a demanding standard that seeks to maximize building performance. Within its health and happiness category, it treats biophilic environments as a key requirement. Projects must develop a framework explaining how they will incorporate nature through environmental elements, natural light and space, natural shapes and forms, natural patterns, and relationships tied to local place.The International Living Future Institute. "Living Building Challenge 3.1." The International Living Future Institute, 2016.

The standard also requires that occupants be able to connect with nature directly, both inside and outside the building. Verification takes place through a preliminary audit process.

 Criticisms 
Biophilic and sustainable design are now widely promoted by developers and green certification systems. Earlier concerns that claims about nature's benefits lacked "scientific credence" have been reduced as more research has shown strong links between nature, health, and well-being. One study found that spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature is associated with better health and well-being, with benefits leveling off at around 200–300 minutes. These positive effects did not depend on how visits were divided across the week and were not only due to physical exercise. This suggests that biophilic design should support meaningful time with nature, not just visual references.

Critics argue that biophilic design often focuses on human benefits, like stress reduction, but gives less attention to supporting biodiversity. Many projects involve adding greenery for visual enjoyment without creating real habitat or helping local ecosystems. Using native plants and more ecologically informed strategies could make biophilic design more beneficial for both people and nature.

Another concern is "greenwashing", where natural features are added mainly for appearance or marketing, without making buildings or cities more sustainable in deeper ecological or social ways.

Some research also suggests that although multisensory biophilic strategies can reduce stress and improve cognitive performance and workplace satisfaction, they may not always create a lasting sense of connection to nature, and certain auditory approaches may be less effective.

Financial and practical issues are another source of criticism. Biophilic features such as large green walls or water installations can be costly to install and maintain, which can be a barrier for low-income or budget-limited projects. Effective biophilic design often requires collaboration between architects, ecologists, and other specialists, which can raise costs, extend project timelines, and increase coordination challenges.

Finally, while biophilic design supports some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to health and well-being, it has less direct impact on goals concerning poverty reduction and social inclusion. This means its contributions to global sustainability goals are uneven.

 Building-scale examples of application 
 Church of Mary Magdalene 

The Church of Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem was consecrated in 1888. Its architecture has several features now associated with biophilic design, including natural geometries, organized complexity, information richness, and organic forms such as onion-shaped domes and the use of natural materials. The exterior uses repeated domes of different sizes and positions to create complexity and order.

Inside, the high vaults and domes create a savannah-like sense of open space. Columns with leaf-like capitals introduce plant-inspired imagery. High ceilings with balconies and strong lighting provide prospect, while lower, more enclosed areas with dimmer lighting and alcoves offer refuge. The thick walls and small windows also contribute to a feeling of shelter.

 Fallingwater 

Fallingwater, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s best-known buildings, is often cited as a strong example of biophilic design. The building is integrated with a waterfall and stream, and the sound of water can be heard throughout the interior. This layout allows occupants to feel like they are “inside” the natural setting rather than just looking at it from a distance.

The structure is built around existing vegetation and local geology, including a large rock that emerges into the living room floor. Extensive glass walls and terraces open views to the surrounding forest. Wright used numerous porches and decks as transitional spaces and incorporated fireplaces, natural colors, and organic forms and materials throughout the design. Although constructed before Kellert defined his framework, Fallingwater demonstrates many of its direct, indirect, and spatial biophilic strategies.

 Khoo Teck Puat Hospital 

Often called a "garden hospital", Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTP) in Singapore is surrounded by native plants and water features. These plantings have increased local biodiversity, encouraging the return of butterflies and birds. The hospital’s rooftop is used by nearby residents to grow produce. About 15% of visitors come to KTP for recreation, such as gardening or resting in the gardens, rather than medical reasons.

The design aims to support staff productivity, visitor well-being, and patient healing. Greenery extends from the courtyard up through the hospital’s upper floors, where patient balconies are surrounded by scented plants. The hospital faces Yishun Pond, and water appears to flow from the pond through the courtyard, making the water body feel integrated with the site. Common areas and corridors use natural ventilation as much as possible. These spaces are oriented to catch prevailing winds from the north and southeast, reportedly reducing energy use by about 60% and increasing airflow by 20–30%.

Using Kellert’s framework, KTP relies heavily on direct experiences of nature, including vegetation, water, and outdoor-like air movement. It also uses transitional spaces and organized complexity in its overall layout. For both users and neighbors, it functions as a shared place and community hub.

 Sandy Hook Elementary School 

After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, a new school was built to help the community recover and to provide a stronger sense of safety. The architects, Svigals + Partners, included features such as animal feeders, wetlands, courtyards, natural shapes and patterns, natural materials, transitional spaces, images of nature, natural colors, and extensive daylighting.

A victory garden was added to support healing for children. The school was set back at the edge of the woods and surrounded with large windows so that classrooms feel immersed in the forest. Inside the lobby, metal "trees" with reflective metal leaves scatter light onto colored glass, creating a dynamic, nature-inspired interior.](https://parabola.org/2016/08/01/to-feel-the-love-a-conversation-with-barry-svigals/}})

In terms of Kellert’s framework, the design uses many indirect experiences of nature, with natural materials like wood and stone on the exterior and rich play of light and color indoors. Naturalistic forms appear in the metal trees and leaves. For space and place, large windows, breezeways, bridges, and pathways connect classrooms to outdoor views and to each other as transitional spaces. Direct experiences of nature come from the water features, rain gardens, courtyards, and animal feeders that attract local fauna.

 Jewel Changi Airport 

Jewel Changi Airport is a ten-storey, multi-use complex and tourism hotspot connected to Changi Airport in Singapore. Its design includes extensive indoor gardens and nature-themed features. At its center is the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, which is surrounded by terraced forest-like plantings and walking paths.


 City-scale examples of application 
 Singapore, Singapore 
The city-state of Singapore is often called a "city in a garden". It has invested heavily in a network of nature reserves, parks, and connecting green corridors, as well as tree-lined streets, to bring wildlife back into the city and reduce the heat island effect seen in dense urban centers. Local authorities share the view of Kellert and Beatley that regular contact with nature supports citizens’ well-being."City in a Garden." City in a Garden - About Us, National Parks Board., 24 November 2016, [www.nparks.gov.sg/about-us/city-in-a-garden](http://www.nparks.gov.sg/about-us/city-in-a-garden ).Beatley, Timothy. Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design. Island Press, 2016, pp. 49–138

To improve stormwater management, Singapore converted the old concrete drainage channels in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park into a naturalized riverbed for the Kallang River. Residents can now enjoy a greener riverside park with water access, while the new design increases biodiversity, allowing dragonflies, butterflies, hornbills, and smooth-coated otters to return. The restored river also improves infiltration and water movement, functioning as a more natural stormwater system.

Singapore offers subsidies, sometimes covering up to half of installation costs, to encourage green walls, green roofs, sky parks, and similar features in private developments. It is known for biophilic buildings and major projects such as Gardens by the Bay and its "Supertree Grove". This installation includes 16 large artificial "trees" planted with more than 160,000 plants from about 200 species. Some of the Supertrees include sky walkways, observation decks, and solar panels. Singapore has also created more than 1,000 community gardens to increase resident involvement in urban nature.


 Oslo, Norway 
Oslo lies between the Oslo Fjord and large forested areas. Forests are central to the municipality’s identity. Over two-thirds of the city area is protected forest, and surveys show that more than 81% of residents visit these forests at least once a year. Oslo’s forests are managed under ISO14001 and "living forest" standards, which allow only limited logging.

Within the compact urban area, around 20% of land is allocated to green spaces, and the city is developing a network of connected paths so that people can travel between parks on foot or by bicycle with fewer interruptions from traffic. The city has also restored the Akerselva River, which runs through central Oslo. By adding waterfalls, paths, and nature trails, it has turned the river corridor—located near dense housing—into an attractive recreation area. Overall, Oslo provides about 365 km of nature trails.


To reconnect the city with its fjord, Oslo is gradually moving roads into tunnels and opening up the waterfront. At the same time, it is developing new waterfront architecture, such as the Barcode Project, and promenades that offer unobstructed views of the fjord for walking and leisure.Beatley, Tim. "Wild Urbanism: Deep Connections to Forest Fjord in Oslo." Biophilic Cities: Wild Urbanism, Biophilic Cities, 1 Aug. 2012, biophiliccities.org/wild-urbanism-deep-connections-to-forest-fjord-in-oslo/. The city also has a Noise Action Plan to reduce sound levels, and some recreation areas maintain noise levels as low as about 50 dB.

 Sydney, Australia 
One Central Park in Sydney is a residential and mixed-use development noted for its biophilic features. Completed in 2014 and designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, it consists of two towers on a shared retail podium. The towers have large vertical gardens made of hydroponic walls with a mix of native and exotic plants. These planted facades act as natural sunshades that change with the seasons, shading apartments from strong summer sun while allowing more sunlight to enter during winter.

 Related pages 

 Biomimetic architecture
 Building-integrated agriculture
 Ecological design
 Folkewall
 Green architecture
 Green building and wood
 Green building
 Green roof
 Greening
 Log house
 Natural building
 Roof garden
 Sustainable city
 Thorncrown Chapel


 References 

Category:Biophilia hypothesis
Category:Sustainable architecture
Category:Urban design