Biophilia and Biophilic Design

You pause to smell the bouquet of flowers on the the table, even though you're in a hurry.  You desperately want to pick up and hug the little puppy that is just learning to navigate the carpeting.  You feel joy as you dig your hands into the soil of your nascent garden. You can’t help but watch cat videos. Why? That’s called biophilia - the name that E.O. Wilson gave to our innate love of and connection to life and living things.  

When we want to feel connected to life and other living things, to engage our biophilia, we go outside in nature or bring nature indoors. But what if you could capture that sense of beauty and delight and connection to nature while indoors (where we spend 90% of our time), even while at work, at school or even at the hospital? That is what biophilic design sets out to do.  Bringing nature indoors is one way; however, designers are figuring out myriad ways for us to experience the benefits of nature while engaging in the built environment.  

Curious?  Join Denise DeLuca and Tim McGee as we co-facilitate the International Living Future Institute’s Biophilic Design Summit May 2 in Portland, OR.

This workshop will highlight and provide:

• Talks highlighting the research behind biophilia and biophilic design
• Examples of current businesses and projects that have incorporated biophilic design practices
• Mindfulness exercises and time to enjoy Phipps Conservatory’s Tropical Forest and regenerative spaces
• Time with other practitioners to develop example biophilic design visions for projects and/or places
• Space to connect with other professionals in the field

Also come by for a chat with Denise along with MA in Sustainable Design faculty, students, and alumni at the our booth during the Living Future Unconference '18 trade show!

[Image courtesy of Skitterphoto on Pixabay]