Biophilic Design: Part II
The addition of nature into our spaces is beneficial to our holistic health as discussed in the previous post, but it also positively affects our environment and spaces, and here is how.
Thermal Comfort Levels
The color, leaf size, height, and even the number of plants can affect the internal thermal environment of a room. Experiments have revealed that the indoor air temperature and indoor relative humidity, the main variables related to human thermal comfort in building interiors, vary with the use of plants. Observations showed that green-colored plants, tall plants, and more plants all affect the indoor air temperature of a space. Colored plants effectively reduce the air temperature. Large leaf plants do not reduce the air temperature as effectively and have a tendency to increase indoor air temperature. These observations also showed that plants can increase the relative humidity of tiles but unlike air temperature, it does not vary with the color of the plant, plant height, or the number of plants. While plants may not affect the thermal comfort levels of environments significantly, they do have an effect, and paired with the psychological and physiological effects plants have on us, it can make a huge difference in how comfortable we feel in a space.
Air Quality, Toxin Levels, and Ventilation
Plants have the ability to clean the air of carbon dioxide, but their benefits don't stop there. The average houseplant can remove formaldehyde, benzene, and a host of other toxins that plague typical indoor air. For more on toxins, click here. Believe it or not, indoor air is often much more polluted than the air outside. Off-gassing from paints, adhesives, and even unsuspected items, such as clothing and tap water, infuse the air we breathe with so many chemicals. Newer, tighter homes add to this problem since they limit the amount of fresh air that can make its way into the interior space. Combine this with the average time we spend indoors, which is about 90%, and the need for air ventilation and cleanliness becomes clear. Answering this need can be as simple as the addition of green, leafy plants to the living space.
Acoustic Comfort
Research has shown that green walls can provide a similar or better acoustic absorption coefficient than other common building materials. Here is how:
SOUND DIFFUSION: Plants diffuse sound. Diffusion occurs when sound waves strike a dynamic or uneven surface, breaking up the uniformity and concentration of the sound waves and scattering them evenly around a room’s area. With sound strikes flat, hard surfaces there is a greater chance for an uneven distribution of sound waves, and therefore echoes occur. Plants are naturally uneven, and when sound waves hit their surface, they are reflected around any given space more evenly, reducing echoes and the intensity of sound.
SOUND DEFLECTION: Plants can convert sound waves to other forms of energy – in the same way, that acoustic panels absorb sound by converting sound energy into heatwaves. When sound waves strike a flexible material, like plants, the material will vibrate and the waves are transformed into other forms of energy.
Improved Natural and Artificial Lighting
A big aspect of Biophilic Design is the concept of natural lighting. The truth is that as a society we spend way too much time indoors when our bodies need sunlight and vitamin D. Studies have shown a reduced percentage of anxiety and depression and an increased percentage of happiness and productivity, simply by incorporating more sunlight into one’s day. Not to mention, that when incorporating plants into one’s environment, having enough sunlight is a must. Artificial lighting is necessary but natural lighting is even more important.
WAYS TO INCORPORATE NATURE INTO YOUR LIVED ENVIRONMENT
Plants: If you’re not what most people would call a Plant “mom” or “dad”, buy some pho plants. Studies have shown that artificial plants evoke the same physical and physiological responses.
Patterns: Incorporate patterns with natural elements into the design of your space. Find a rug with leafy or floral patterns, buy a new landscape painting, add some botanical sculptures, etc. Invite nature and the concept of nature into your space.
Light: Let the sunlight in! Open those blinds, and allow your space to soak in the sun. Look for every opportunity to let natural daylight into your space. This simple adjustment will make all the difference.
For more questions on Biophilic Design or on Green, Non-Toxic Interior Design, contact us here!