Biophilia

One of the features of biophilic cities (yet not the only one) is certainly greenery, more greenery than what urban environments normally host these days. Greenery is visually pleasing, it makes public areas healthier and more enjoyable, it improves air quality, it creates space for non-human life, and more. …

The Rise of the Biophile By Catherine Rose With the relentless march of an ever expanding urban sprawl that is swallowing up our countryside, the old philosophical argument of whether people need to live close to nature to be healthy in body, mind and spirit has perhaps never been more…

I am mesmerized by the spirituality of biophilia, a phrase coined by devout environmentalist E.O. Wilson. He defines biophilia “as the urge to affiliate with other forms of life.” It literally means “love of life,” an affinity for living things and the natural world. The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in…

On these exact dates in 1972, the first world conference on the environment drew the attention on the need for environment protection. Then, the next world conference and subsequent naming of the Earth Summit was held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. The United Nation and participating countries established…

Or Your Search for a Good Place to Nap, Dear Trivian Dear Trivian, Do you remember the warm sunny day when we played hide and seek in the upper field? Then we took a nap in the tall grass.. Searching for the best place to sleep is a primordial activity. Shelter is one of the fundamentals of civilization and the placement…

“working with local materials is learning to appreciate what a place has to offer” cit. a biophilic year — #232 In a design project, material choices are not just important for their look and physical properties. They also have the power to add an extra level of meaning and depth to the space: a sense of place. the role of materials The use of natural materials is a…

“learning from nature, boundaries turn into filters that selectively leave out and let in” cit. a biophilic year — #204 Partitions define spaces and divide functions in them. But have we gone too far? What if boundaries evolved into filters that selectively leave out and let in? Let’s explore… indoor partitions Interior partitions divide functions in a space. They provide privacy, dampen sounds and create separate…

As part of my work on the Wellness Team at Elder Care Alliance, I offer a different idea or inspiration during our Monday morning ‘stand up’ meetings at the non-profit’s support center. Each week, I focus on a different domain of wellness. Today, I will share about the idea of…