Roberta Giosanu

Growing the Next Generation

It is always strongly encouraged to design in a sustainable way. Sustainable and biophilic design are not the same thing but they are particularly compatible. Sustainable design is about designing to support natural systems for the sake of the environment. Biophilic design is about integrating urban settings with nature for the sake of the occupant’s health and mental wellbeing. The benefits of biophilic design have been extensively researched and a substantial amount of data on the positive impact that biophilic design has for one’s physical and mental wellbeing has been found. Providing spaces that are open and connected to the outdoors increases mental stimuli, energy and physical comfort levels and this, in turn, increases cognitive ability, attention and memory levels. When reading deeper, and finding out all this information, it inspired me to focus on incorporating these aspects on occupants of younger age, such as students. Why not encourage and work on the importance of wellbeing from the start? If biophilic design is so crucial to better health overall why not implement the idea as soon as possible? Biophilic design is not just about these basic health and performance requirements, it is also about the innate human need to connect with other living things, with nature. Since my idea is being narrowed down to focus on spaces with students, if we now imagine this all in a school context, connection with nature provides mental relief and feelings of wellbeing as well as studies have shown that there is an increase in level of attendance, attentiveness and also productivity. Schools have an important role in teaching children that our relationship with our natural context can be symbiotic. This role is made much easier by the numerous joys and educational benefits afforded by biophilic design.

“Implementing biophilic attributes into the learning environment of high school students to improve the physical and mental wellbeing, while also simultaneously improving all aspects of school performance. By designing around the components and structures of a forest, and by the integration of nature within the indoors, a positive learning environment will bring life and connect the community within the school.”