Concrete cities are causing high rates of depression and stress

"Biophilic" ... Engineering designs that rely on nature

Science confirms the effect of plants and animals in reducing carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere, which improves air quality and makes buildings more sustainable.

From the source

The world's population has increased more than seven times in nearly two centuries, from one billion people in 1800 to about 7.8 billion today.

Cities have become home to nearly half of the Earth's population, thanks to the job opportunities and the better quality of life available there.

However, this made cities crowded with huge population densities, which makes them unsustainable, because they occupy lands to build houses and roads, and cars drive long distances leading to increased air pollution, energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, so that they are responsible for 70% of the total emissions of carbon dioxide. Global carbon dioxide.

human health

Cities have a major impact on human health and quality of life, as research has shown that air pollution lowers life expectancy.

Many cities today are described as "concrete forests", and their inhabitants suffer from a distance from nature. Depression, stress and anxiety rates rise amid a global pandemic of mental health disorders, which contributes to high rates of disease and disability in various parts of the world.

With nature

Research has shown that spending some time in nature may be an antidote to the pressures of modern life, and that is why interest in biophilic design has increased, a term coined by psychoanalyst Eric Fromm in 1973, first used to express a love for living things, and later applied in urban planning to express designs You enter the natural environment.

Biophilic design focuses on how buildings interact with natural elements, including air, light, water and plants, to provide an experience in which people feel connected to nature.

This experience can be enhanced by paying attention to design details, colors, materials and shapes, and by integrating the structures of buildings with their natural surroundings.

Benefits

This emerging appreciation of biophilic design has spread thanks to its many benefits and ability to improve the living conditions of urban dwellers, ranging from economic benefits to health and environmental benefits, and its contribution to sustainability.

The experts documented the positive impact of interacting with nature on mental and physical health, and its role in reducing stress.

This has increased the appeal of biophilic design among healthcare providers and in the workplace, as it has been shown to increase worker productivity.

Science confirms the effect of plants and animals in reducing carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere, which improves air quality and makes buildings more sustainable.

It has been shown that biophilic design attracts more visitors to public places and retail places, and contributes to reducing crime.

Famous examples

Singapore contains some of the most famous examples of biophilic design in the world, and many people call it “Garden City,” meaning the city of gardens.

Singapore's Changi Airport is an example of these designs. It includes the largest indoor waterfall in the world and 2000 trees in Forest Valley, and has become a tourist landmark in its own right.

Another example is the Ku Tec Boat Hospital in Singapore. It is a biophilic medical facility, with an area of ​​3.5 hectares, and has been proven to reduce energy consumption by 50%.

This trend is starting to spread in the hospitality industry as well, as many hotels today adopt biophilic designs, including the famous Park Royal Hotel.

Recognition of the application of biophilic designs have been identified as criteria and certifications, including Well Building Standard and Living Challenge.

Arab countries

Singapore has worked hard to market itself as a green city, but biophilic design has also become popular in Arab countries, especially in the UAE.

The desert heat in the region, especially in the Arabian Gulf region, may not be suitable for designing buildings covered with green vines, but biophilic design is noticeable in a large number of current and upcoming projects in the region.

This is evidenced by the emphasis on integration with the natural environment and the use of available landscape elements. This trend can be observed in offices and the hospitality industry.

Examples

Regional examples of biophilic design include the Six Senses Resort in Zighy Bay, Oman.

The villas are built using local materials, including natural stone and wood. The villas blend seamlessly with the natural sand and the environment colored by stone, and use natural light and air to maintain a refreshing temperature inside.

ATI Architecture moved to a new office in Downtown Dubai during the year 2020, adopting a design inspired by biophilic designs, using natural and sustainable materials as possible, including recycled wooden floors and relaxation spaces characterized by greenery and raw earthy colors.

The world population has increased from one billion people in 1800 to about 7.8 billion today.

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