Biophilic Effect as a Human-Centric Design Approach to Sustainability

Abstract

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of sustainability, green design, and biophilic architecture within the context of the climate crisis. It critiques the current architectural focus on technical perfection and sustainable building lifecycles, arguing that such approaches, while vital, often neglect the immediate, perceptual, and mental health benefits of environmental design. Emphasizing the Vitruvian triad of functionality, aesthetics, and scientific aspects, the paper advocates for integrating climate sensitivity into daily living spaces to foster a deeper human-nature connection. It highlights biophilic design as a promising paradigm incorporating natural elements into architecture, enhancing human well-being, challenging habits, and promoting ecological awareness. Historical and contemporary examples, including the works of Stephen Kellert and Edward Wilson, illustrate the evolution and impact of biophilic principles. The discussion extends to the embodied perspective of design, focusing on the sensory, cognitive, and emotional interactions between humans and their built environments. The paper argues for a human-centric approach to sustainable architecture, proposing that the biophilic effect—rooted in the nexus of space, body, and mind—can effectively complement technical green design by fostering a holistic connection with nature. The text proposes the concept of act-perience, a combination of experience, movement, and human actions in space, as the main result of biophilic effects or any effect a critical architectural stance is striving for.