NEWH - Fall 2023 - 46

SUSTAINABILITY | POINT OF VIEW
NEWH Green Voice to Delve into Biophilia at BDNY
At BDNY this November, NEWH Green Voice presents sustainability and
biophilia pioneer Bill Browning, co-founder of Terrapin Bright Green, as he
shares his latest research. NEWH Green Voice chair Rachel Berkin talked with
Browning about the intersection of biophilia and design.
Biophilia continues to rise in
adoption. Give us a brief history of
its earliest origins.
The word itself comes from the social
psychologist Erich Fromm-and literally
means " love of life. " Its Greek roots are bio
+ philia. The E.O. Wilson 1984 book on the
topic was seminal, and in the mid 1990s
there were early conversations about
green buildings and gains in productivity.
Then questions started emerging on
what could be some of the conditions
in those places that are leading those
gains in productivity. In particular Judith
Heerwagen put forward the hypothesis
that it was the connection to nature in
these buildings.
Biophilic design is intentionally connecting
people with experiences in nature in the
built environment. Terrapin and others have
collected quite a bit of research on how
biophilia impacts people physiologically
and psychologically, and translated that
into experiences into buildings. Stephen
Bill Browning, co-founder of
Terrapin Bright Green
Kellert outlined biophilic imperatives, Terrapin 14 patterns, so now there are tools
by which we can translate biophilic design into the built environment.
It is clear the pandemic has accelerated biophilia, with greater
emphasis on nature to change way we live, work, learn, and heal
-and as an antidote to technology.
The pandemic accelerated the conversation around biophilia, that is, the
need to connect with nature. People were stuck working at home, in the
same environment day in and day out, and became more aware of how space
was impacting them. Connecting with nature was a way to find relief. We
also see a need for a connection to nature among essential workers. A great
example is a series of break rooms at the Nash Family Center for Advanced
Circuit Therapeutics (C-ACT) at Mount Sinai, New York, redesigned by Studio
Elsewhere founder Mirelle Phillips. She created recharge rooms, an immersive
biophilic experience for hospital staff, intended to help them cope with the
stress of dealing with the crush of patients during COVID. Neuroscience
teams at Mount Sinai discovered biophilia helps both with immediate stresses
and shows cumulative improvements over repeat use.
For more information on NEWH Green Voice, visit newh.org/education
This year's NEWH
GreenVoice Student
Design Competition
is focused on the 14
Patterns of Biophilia.
What is the newest research from your team on the patterns?
Experience of Awe is the 15th pattern of biophilic design, found in our book
Nature Inside, a Biophilic Design Guide. It will be added as part of the " 14
Patterns of Biophilic Design " next year, for the reference guide's 10-year
anniversary. Regarding the unique brain experience of awe, we look to the
scientific definition: the brain is overwhelmed and needs to re-accommodate,
reframe, reassess our view of the world. Classic awe-inspiring experiences in
hotels include entering a low-ceilinged space and emerging in a soaring atrium.
When you have an experience of awe, various centers of the brain light up and
the medial prefrontal cortex lights up. Awe can have a slight fear component,
which is the sublime. The muscles in your face go slack, the heart rate and
respiration slow down. It is a different reaction from other biophilic experiences.
You are more charitable, more humble, and exhibit increased social behavior.
Many religious and cultural spaces look to invoke an awe-inspiring experience
for this reason. We can induce awe with
music, a stunning piece of artwork, and
options in addition to grand spaces.
Research also shows awe can be on a
micro scale, such as watching an egg
hatch or gazing at the night sky. You
may experience awe on a small or grand
scale and it is equally beneficial.
What are important takeaways
for design students regarding
practical implementation of
biophilia?
Typically the default focus is plants,
which create a direct connection to
nature. But this is just one of many strategies. Another way to think about the
15 patterns is understanding that different patterns elicit different responses,
including the potential to reduce stress, increase cognitive function, elevate
mood, and enhance social behavior. The key is to look at the 15 patterns and
their outcomes for correlated and intended results. In other words, observe
design outcomes you are looking to achieve in a given space, and the patterns
that support them. ❙❘❚
The citizenM Times Square lobby;
photo by Catie Ryan
46 newh.org
http://www.newh.org/education http://www.newh.org
NEWH - Fall 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Fall 2023
