BIOPHILIA:
Good for Humans, Good for the Environment
January 14, 2026
A loose definition of biophilia: a love of life and of ALL living things.
bio‑       /prefix/
used for forming new words related to life or living organisms
philia       /noun/
denotes an affinity or inclination or love toward a specific thing
In more specific terms, biophilia means an inclination toward living things, as humans and other living things naturally gravitate toward each other in order to thrive, to regenerate, and even just to survive.
Sounds like the observation of an obvious fact? Yet, ever since the industrial revolution, humans have been working against this obvious fact. At the beginning stages, the intentions behind the ever‑growing technological advances were innocuous, even if naive.
But today, we have the knowledge and the understanding of the potentials and the limits of what the Earth can provide (for us, humans), and how it can survive. Nowadays, the ever‑growing built environment* is overwhelming the natural environment. We perceive the Earth‑human connection as a one‑way relationship: the Earth has to provide, so we humans can consume. But, that is not biophilia. That’s exploitation of a natural system that can not be sustained indefinitely. To counter that, we can adopt a more environment‑friendly mindset … and, this is where biophilic design becomes relevant.
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THE ESSENCE
THE DETAILS
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The first use of the word ‘biophilia’ is attributed to Erich Fromm (a German‑American social psychologist) from the 1960s, and was expanded upon by E.O. Wilson (an American evolutionary biologist) in 1984, suggesting that humans have an innate and subconscious connection to other life forms (i.e. living things in the overall environment), more so than to artificial objects. This explains why so many people care for (and sometimes risk their lives to save) animals, or keep flowers around their homes. In fact, according to Wilson, our existence depends on this propensity. Although the word biophilia was coined by Fromm in modern times, the concept of biophilia has been proposed many times throughout history, from ancient Greek philosophers to our time, all of them speaking of a sort of connection and love of life. Biophilia has influenced the shaping of modern conservation ethics, and is now becoming more widely-known and used in architectural designs and general living arrangements with a three-fold purpose:
  1. To enhance the everyday human living experience
  2. Foster the connection between humans and nature
  3. Protect the environment
Hence, biophilia includes all living forms (humans, land, vegetation, ocean, animals, etc.) and life‑like processes. In today’s built environment and technology‑driven life, a biophilic lifestyle becomes ever more important.
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the nitty‑gritty
Empirical evidence supports that the natural environment is much preferred to the built environment, reinforcing the fact that humans evolved in response to the stimulus of the environment, and were adapted to live in a natural environment. Many indigenous cultures see humans as part of nature, and do not distinguish them as separate entities. And hence, they also practice responsible use of resources. Developing a biophilic environment can change the quality of life. So, how can we—in our extensive built environment—accomplish that?
THE 6 MAIN ELEMENTS OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN
  • ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
    • Directly integrating natural elements into our built environment.
    • Examples include plants, sunlight, water, nature materials, color, and applying greenery to the facade of the building or home.
  • NATURAL SHAPES AND FORMS
    • A symbolic representation of the elements found in nature, while avoiding sharp and edgy lines
    • Examples include tree‑like furniture, depiction of animals as the foundation of large columns, carved mouldings, motifs, arches, dome‑like shapes, and the such.
  • NATURAL PATTERNS AND PROCESSES
    • Creates the sensation of fluidity and nature. As opposed to reprentation of physical shapes or objects, natural patterns and shapes create sensory information and feelings that are often subconscious.
    • Includes such concepts as contrast (for example, in different shades of colors, or different patterns placed side‑by‑side), furniture made of aged wood vs young wood, balance vs tension, polished vs textured surfaces, and the such.
  • LIGHT AND SPACE
    • Affects our innate sensation of light and space—both of which play a part in our level of comfort, happines, day vs night experience, feelings of security vs feeling unsettled, and the such. Which option to choose on the ranges of these feelings depend on the purpose of the environment we want to design. For instance, some rooms need more sunlightprovided brightness while diffused light might be more appropriate for others.
    • Includes light, shadow, spaciousness, the angle from which natural light is allowed into the room while creating the sensation of larger space, and the such.
  • PLACE‑BASED RELATIONSHIPS
    • The built environment is designed to have a connection with the surrounding landscape and environment.
    • Takes into consideration the geographical environment, the local cultural aspects, the orientation of the building and the indoors, and the such.
  • EVOLVED HUMAN‑NATURE RELATIONSHIPS
    • Considers our overall relationship to the natural world.
    • As all the other elements of biophilic design add up, they create an overall relationship we have within our immediate environment just as well as the way it connects us with nature. This overall feeling translates to how we feel—in the grand scheme of the natural world— about security, beauty, attachment, exploration, affection, and the such.
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    • HOW CAN BIOPHILIC DESIGN BE INCORPORATED INTO OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT?
  • BIOPHILIC (SUSTAINABLE) DESIGN vs GREEN ARCHITECTURE
    While biophilic design incorporates and emphasizes the connection between humans and nature, green architecture only decreases the environmental impact of built environment without addressing the connection between humans and nature.
  • PROVEN OPTIONS FOR CREATING BIOPHILIC SURROUNDINGS
    • Incorporating natural elements into our immediate environment, such as natural light and views of nature
    • Creating green spaces: indoor plants or greenery; balcony- or rooftop gardens, trees and small ponds around the house, indoor fish bowls, water fountains, skylights, etc.
    • Using natural materials for furniture: wood, stone, clay, linen table coverings or upholstery, etc.
    • Choosing patterns, colors, textured surfaces that are often found in nature
    • Installing large windows and glass doors where appropriate, providing more connection to nature
    • Installing solar panels, considerably reducing the need for electricity
    • Creating open layout within the home to accommodate the free flow of light and air
    • Use natural airflow when possible by designing the structure of your home to accommodate it, and by the simple act of opening windows (instead of using artificial ventilation)
    • Installing Low-E (Low-Emissivity) glass** for windows and glass doors: a transparent metallic coating that keeps heat inside during winter, and blocks is out in summer ⟹ Also saves energy, and protects indoor furniture
      Ever wondered why marathon runners are given metallic blankets to protect themselves after they finish the race? The same principle lies behind this practice as for using Low‑E glasses for homes. Silver and metals have low emissivity***, which means that it reflects back more thermal energy, and reduces heat loss.
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    • THE TYPES OF BENEFITS BIOPHILIC LIVING BESTOWS UPON US
  • SOCIOLOGICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LIFE
    • Improves overall health
    • Reduces stress
    • Enhances creativity
    • Improves cognitive function: focus, memory, productivity
    • Improves intellectual competence and curiosity ⟹ New discoveries are made in various fields (e.g. science, education, etc.)
    • Enhances the appearance and likeability of our everyday living spaces
    • The sum of these benefits improve interpersonal and family life
    • Instigates parents to more effectively and more humanely raise children
  • PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS
    • Lowers stress ⟹ More optimal blood pressure, reduced respiratory diseases, lower occurrence and lower intensity of chronic pain ⟹ Faster and more efficient healing ⟹ Lesser need for hospitalization and pain medications ⟹ More balanced personal and family life ⟹ Less monetary impact on the individual ⟹ Lower stress ⟹ Reduced aggressiveness and crime rate … Improved average lifespan
    • Stimulates brain activity, regulates the circadian rhythm, improves sleep patterns, improves overall mood
    • Initiates greater desire for physical activities, such as walking, sports, etc. ⟹ Higher fitness levels ⟹ Better health ⟹ Natural desire for more healthy food ⟹ Becoming more productive ⟹ Higher enjoyment of life ⟹ Longer lifespan with greater productivity and meaning
    • Improves overall physical well‑being
  • BENEFITS FOR:
    THE ENVIRONMENT & THE WHOLE EARTH, AND FOR
    HUMANS
    • Reduces carbon emissions (through lower use of air conditioning, heating, etc.) ⟹ Improves air quality (indoor and outdoor) ⟹ Reduces climate change
    • Using natural materials for furnishing and household items result in lower use of harsh chemicals ⟹ Prevents the release of carbon‑dioxide during the manufacturing process
    • Using natural light, natural airflow, more windows and lighter colored spaces and furniture ⟹ Reduces energy use ⟹ Reduces fossil fuel use ⟹ Reduces carbon‑dioxide in the air ⟹ Reduces climate change
    • Gardens and plants indoors and outdoors absorb carbon‑dioxide ⟹ Allows for cleaner air ⟹ Become part of reducing climate change
    • Increases biodiversity through establishing gardens, ponds, and landscaping around the house (both in plants and animal life)
    • Reduces the risk of flooding: Porous materials, green walls, green corridors, rain gardens impel storm water to follow a specific path and allow it to soak into the ground, instead of accumulating in rivers exacerbating the risk of flooding
    • Secures more food resources
    • Lowers household expenses associated with utilities, health care, and others
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WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
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LOOK UP EXAMPLES OF BIOPHILIC LIVING
Find ideas and inspiration of what’s possible, and how you can make your own living environment biophilic.
‘Biophilicize’ your home and immediate surroundings. The benefits can be psychological, health, and even economic …

and ultimately, you will be helping nature, and be part of climate stabilization.
TAKE ACCOUNT OF YOUR LIVING QUARTERS … THEN, TAKE ACTION
SPREAD THE WORD
A good life is made even better if the benefits are multiplied. Tell people around you about biophilia, and about how their lives can also be enhanced.
Individuals and families can change their immediate environment. But, biophilic living goes even further. Reach out, and discuss biophilic urbanization of your town or wider municipality. All good things begin with one person or a few people taking small actions.
APPROACH YOUR LOCAL & MUNICIPAL LEADERS TO DISCUSS BIOPHILIC URBANIZATION
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