Why do we feel better when we’re outside enjoying the “fresh air” or gazing out the window at the wind gently blowing in the trees? This emotional and biological need to connect with nature was first formally identified as “biophilia” by American naturalist Edmund O. Wilson. Building on this theory, biophilic design pioneer Stephen Kellert identified three categories of biophilic design – the direct and indirect experience of nature, and the experience of space and place. These categories include many attributes aimed at fostering a stronger connection to the natural world:

• Natural Light: Maximizing daylight and ensuring access to natural light for occupants.
• Plants and Greenery: Integrating plant life into interior spaces to create a connection with nature.
• Natural Materials: Using wood, stone, and other natural materials in design to evoke the textures and colors of nature.
• Air and Water: Ensuring good air quality and incorporating water features, which enhance the sensory experience of nature.
• Views and Vistas: Providing access to views of natural landscapes.
• Biophilic Patterns: Incorporating patterns found in nature, such as fractals, shapes, and forms, to promote well-being and comfort.

Kellert also stresses the value of fostering social connections and a sense of place, all of which promote well-being and productivity. Biophilic design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating environments that support both physical and mental health by reconnecting people with nature.

A Workshop

Chapman Construction/Design is a commercial construction company that has been a partner on three Placework projects.  Based on our shared values, Chapman invited us to help re-conceive their longtime headquarters in Newton, Massachusetts. Chapman’s history of commitment to sustainable design and construction practices has already been demonstrated; at the time of their last renovation in 2009, their office was one of the first LEED Platinum Certified projects in Massachusetts.

For the 2025 renovation, Chapman’s aim is to provide a healthy workplace, powered by on-site renewable energy, that centers employee wellbeing. The aim is to both deepen knowledge of truly healthy, sustainable construction so that their team is well equipped to deliver this work for their clients and to provide an example and inspiration for peers in the AEC industry and beyond.

In order to have an accountable framework for meeting these stated goals, the project will pursue CORE Certification through Living Future’s Living Building Challenge. Hosting a biophilic design workshop is a required element of the certification process. We’d never hosted an all-day design workshop of this type before, but the Placework team was inspired to create a day designed to educate, engage, and inspire.

Centering in Place

Setting and context was an important aspect of the day. The design team transformed the Chapman meeting room by bringing in plants consolidated from both the Placework and Chapman offices. A natural soundscape of New England birds, rain, and water created a subtle, calming backdrop as participants entered the space.

Allison Pagliaro, Education Manager of Historic Newton, offered a glimpse into the history of Newton from precolonial times to today. Her talk centered the experience of the indigenous people that originally occupied the land in and around Newton, seasonally moving through the area as well as the significant role that Newton played in the revolutionary war area, local slavery, abolitionists, and the underground railroad.

Learning more about the specific history of the site on which the building stands, from the time that records exist in the late 19th century, also brought new perspective. The realization that one of three historic burying grounds in Newton, the South Burying Ground, dates to 1802 and is located across the street from the Chapman headquarters was a revelation to many.

Making it Real

Exercises throughout the day sought to highlight various aspects of biophilia, challenge participants to identify ways to incorporate these elements in the existing building, and create direct connections with the natural environment surrounding the office. We explored three different aspects of biophilic design: direct experience of nature, the appreciation of natural patterns, and the incorporation of place, culture, and community.

One of the most impactful experiences involved actually leaving the office and exploring its environs. Workshop participants took small paper bags out into the site directly surrounding the office building, as well as the adjacent park, wooded trails, and historic burying ground.

Several Chapman employees observed that they had never visited some of these places, even after working on site for many years. The opportunities to foster engagement with these spaces to reinforce both connection to nature and historic Newton was evident.

Upon return we grouped the materials by color and texture, and talked about what type of experience each evoked. A wide variety of colors and patterns were observed, despite the winter conditions. Material samples that shared biophilic elements were reviewed and compared to the natural materials, to analyze how the interior design might best evoke the surroundings.

Next Steps

The biophilic design workshop is just one small step in the wider project goal of creating a healthy, low-carbon workspace that encourages employees to do their best work. A workshop format allowed us to not only present a concept but to experience biophilia in real time, and revealed future design paths. The possibilities extend beyond interior finish choices and incorporating more light, living elements, and views into the architectural design. The workshop also highlighted opportunities for the Chapman team to collaborate with local artists and historians, enhance their adjacent public park, and reinforce a culture that encourages employees to get outside for their physical and mental health.

Biophilia plays an important role in all the work that we do; spending a whole day focused on this aspect of the work was a treat for all involved.

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