Exploring Biophilic Design
Going green can mean more than energy-efficient lightbulbs. With the right building design, your structure or building feature can actually flow with nature. The benefits might surprise you — from better health and morale to increased environmental awareness.
The concept of biophilic architecture has gained in popularity in recent years as designers consider alternatives to traditional workspaces and facilities. Biophilic interior design can be incorporated into any structure — and perforated metal can add just the right touch.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Humans are drawn to nature. Even if many would rather not spend a lot of time camping or hiking in very rustic conditions, they at least enjoy seeing depictions of nature, and biophilic design meets that urge to connect with nature. How? Biophilic design creates an atmosphere that seems more natural — either by leveraging existing natural features or creating new ones. Imagery, colors, shapes and overall building design can be associated with nature, which helps us establish this connection. In architecture, biophilic design can be as simple as creating more open space with natural light, or it can be more complex.
Benefits of Biophilic Design
Biophilic buildings and features are about more than aesthetics. The concept also has several functional benefits, including:
In a work environment, a drab backdrop can stifle creativity or result in tired, bored and unproductive employees. Natural features can disrupt the sameness in the flow of cubicles while inspiring employees to do more.
Biophilic design can boost morale for employees. It can also make visitors happier, whether they are customers, clients or patients.
Calming biophilic features have the potential to improve well-being by lowering blood pressure and improving mental health. Health facilities and offices are going beyond traditional houseplants and incorporating more elaborate natural features to take full advantage of the potential health benefits of biophilic design.
Perforated Metal Applications in Biophilic Design
Materials of all types can be incorporated into biophilic design. Wood and rock, for example, obviously have a natural appearance, while perforated metal adds texture and beauty. Accurate Perforating has the right experience and knowledge to help you with your perforated metal biophilic projects.
Here are a few ways perforated metal can be used in biophilic design:
Perforated metal brings natural light into building spaces, and natural light is a key element of biophilic design. Architects can take advantage of both dynamic and diffused light through the use of perforated partitions, railings, sunshades and sunscreens.
Perforated metal breaks up sound for optimal acoustics, helping to reduce unnatural, sterile background noise while giving occupants a sense of privacy or refuge.
Perforated metal allows natural breezes to flow into a structure. The material offers thermal variation, but because it is diffused, the airflow is not too powerful.
Perforated metal allows the designer to create biomorphic forms and patterns, a visual connection with nature, complexity and order, while enhancing productivity, happiness and health.