The case for Biophilic Design

In recent years, a revolution is, quietly literally, taking root. Enter biophilic design, where architecture and interior design embraces nature to counteract the disconnection often experienced by today’s urban dwellers.?

At MCW architects, we have recently completed two projects with biophilic features – the new St. John’s College buttery dining room, café, and bar; and the fit-out works for Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science at Granta Park.?

The new St. John’s College café, buttery dining room and bar provide a place at the heart of the College where the whole community can meet, eat, drink and work in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. The project comprised the refurbishment of the southwest corner of the Grade I Listed Second Court building, built in 1599, to provide a new bar and café along with the demolition and re-building of the existing buttery dining room, built in the 1970s. A series of historic window openings were altered to allow connection between the new dining room and café. The dining room occupies space within Kitchen Lane, an historic thoroughfare that connected the College to the River Cam along the boundary with adjacent Trinity College. A new, dramatic, free standing oak roof structure covers the buttery dining room. And – the pièce de résistance – running along the whole length of the new dining room is a green wall watered by collected rainwater.

The green wall, a design element? presented at competition stage, captured the imagination of the College community, who appreciated the connection to nature and boost to wellbeing.??

The historic core of the College has no areas to sit outside other than the new dining room terrace. The green wall brings the outside inside, aiding temperature regulation, air quality and general feelings of wellbeing, particularly in the darker, colder months, when college residents are far less inclined to spend an afternoon relaxing in the gardens.?

We used ANS global; who created a topsoil planted system of vertical planted modules, fed by an integral irrigation system. For St John’s, we chose to connect the irrigation to a new rainwater tank with a back-up main tank for drier months.??

The wall was fully grown at ANS’ nurseries prior to installation, providing impact from day one of installation.?

For Altos Labs, the brief for the works was focused on the rapid delivery of a state-of-the-art working environment for 150 researchers – comprising of laboratories with core requirements for technical bench space, equipment, and instrumentation space; areas for write-up and desk space activity; carefully located areas for break-out, meeting rooms, and individual offices; a café and a 130+ capacity lecture theatre. To soften the look and feel of the facilities, planters of all shapes and sizes are introduced into the building, including a small tree in the main atrium. We’ve been happy to receive feedback that the building? induces a feel-good atmosphere, no doubt fostered by the green elements. Their integration not only provides a lush aesthetic but also contributes to the well-being of users.?

The case for biophilic design

Biophilic design bridges the built environment with the natural world, introducing sun-dappled atriums and living walls into the architectural language. It's not just about looks; it's about reshaping our relationship with the spaces we live and work in. Studies abound highlighting the positive impact of nature on mental health, and architects are taking note. Biophilic design is about fostering environments that nourish the mind and body, combating the stresses of modern urban existence.

Yet, for all its promise, biophilic design faces its share of challenges. The integration of nature into urban and architectural spaces demands thoughtful planning, and the economic feasibility of such projects often stands as a hurdle. Integrating green elements, such as vertical gardens or extensive landscaping, often entails higher upfront costs. Acquiring and maintaining vegetation, incorporating irrigation systems, and ensuring structural integrity demand substantial investments in capital cost and a commitment to long-term sustainability.

Maintaining the vitality of green elements within biophilic designs is an ongoing challenge. Neglecting upkeep can lead to not only aesthetic degradation but also functional inefficiencies. Nature is inherently dynamic, seasons change, plants grow, and ecosystems evolve. Designing spaces that can adapt to the natural rhythms of growth and decay requires a departure from static architectural norms. The challenge, then, lies in creating structures that are not only attractive when first unveiled – but continue to thrive and evolve alongside the living organisms they incorporate.

In densely populated urban environments, space is a precious commodity, so the heart of the endeavour is to introduce biophilic elements without sacrificing valuable real estate. Innovations such as vertical gardens and rooftop green spaces become crucial in maximising available spaces.

Despite these challenges, the trajectory of biophilic design is on an upward swing. In this era of environmental consciousness, the challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones toward a greener, more sustainable future. The journey involves not only reshaping our physical surroundings but also reconsidering our relationship with nature – one green challenge at a time.