Following application of some of the principles of Biophilic Design into Edinburgh University’s new Innovation Centre and Campus Hub at Easter Bush, Austin were invited to present to an audience of Edinburgh University’s Project Managers and Estate Managers on the benefits, challenges and hurdles of incorporating Biophilic Design into research facilities.

What is Biophillic Design?

There is increasing evidence identifying of the benefit of people being connected with nature in the context of the working environment.  A workplace that is devoid of nature can have a negative effect on health and well-being.

The incorporation of Biophilic design provides a focus to creating a workplace that responds to people. The aim of Biophilic design is to continue the individual’s connection with nature in the work place. By reflecting the natural environment within the workplace we can enable improved well-being, increased creativity and productivity as well as motivation and happiness.  Views of nature, lighting, colour and textures are all reported to have an impact.

In the research and manufacturing environment we have a challenge in creating highly functional and regulated work spaces that also respond to the well-being of the user.

What are the opportunities and applications of designing natural environmental responses into technical building solutions. Can we incorporate lighting that uses circadian rhythms? Can we incorporate natural images, features, colours and textures? These are the challenges for complex highly regulated facilities. We look at challenging the norms and exploring the potential.

Click here to view the presentation