Biophilic architecture with glass extensions

The power of nature and natural surroundings to boost our physical and mental health is well documented. A growing architectural and interior design trend is tapping into this to improve indoor spaces in urban areas.

Biophilic architecture and design draws on elements from the natural world and is increasingly being used by homeowners, architects and businesses to bring a feel for nature to the interior of their building.

Read on to learn more about biophilic design and to find out how glazing and glass extensions are the perfect fit for this popular trend.

What is biophilic architecture?

Biophilic architecture and design aims to bring us closer to nature and all its benefits by connecting our homes and workplaces to the outdoors.

Taking inspiration from the natural world, biophilic design uses key colours and materials along with natural light and other elements such as plants to forge a connection with nature.

The benefits of biophilic design

We all appreciate the restorative benefits of being outdoors in the fresh air surrounded by nature. Many of us take pleasure from simply watching the seasons change day by day from the same vantage point. It can create a sense of calm, soothe the soul and do wonders for our mental health.

How many times have you sat behind your desk at work and wanted to be outside instead? Or maybe you’ve been at home but felt like you’d prefer to be outside? Well, biophilic design lets you experience the outdoors while you’re indoors.

Incorporating a biophilic design at home will create a place to relax and feel close to nature, even if the weather isn’t great. Think about the calming effect of viewing rain from a place where you’re warm, comfortable and dry. That’s why many meditation or sleep apps use rain as one of the sounds to meditate to, or help you sleep.

And if you’re at work, whether in the office or working from home, natural light and a desk with a view have been shown to increase productivity, help you focus, make you more creative and improve your mood. For businesses, incorporating biophilic design in the workplace can be a cost-effective way to improve employee satisfaction and retention and to prevent lost productivity.

Using biophilic design in your home

There are some key elements to focus on when using biophilic design in your home or workplace.

One of the most obvious things is to allow as much fresh air and daylight to enter your living space as possible. Not only does this connect us directly with the outside but it actually makes us healthier by maintaining a consistent circadian rhythm.

Aim to bring features of the outdoors into your home, so that the lines between both become blurred. A simple way to do this is by designing your interior to match the greenery of your outside space, so both the indoors and outdoors feel like a continuation of each other. Use house plants, wooden furniture and stone flooring in your home to create the experience of sitting outside. Blues and greens are key colours in biophilic design as they represent natural elements such as the sky, water and grass.

Good biophilic design also takes inspiration from the landscape and climate in which you live or work. You might therefore like to take influences from the countryside around your home or office to create a design that reflects this.

While biophilic design looks towards the outdoors for inspiration, it also fulfils our innate need for refuge by creating spaces that feel calming and comforting. So it’s not just about reflecting the openness and freedom of the outdoors; it also includes smaller, more intimate areas within the wider space.

How glazing fits with biophilic architecture

More so than individual glazed elements such as windows or glass doors, fully glazed extensions fulfil our desire to feel enclosed, safe and secure while at the same time allowing us to look outwards and view the wonders of the natural world around us.

For anyone inspired by biophilic architecture when extending their home, oversized glazing is an obvious choice because it maximises natural light and enhances the views of your garden. An all glass extension with minimal framing, a glazed roof and opening elements such as bi-folding doors or sliding doors will blur the boundary between the indoors and out and fit perfectly with your biophilic design.

Because of the light and airy appearance created by a fully glazed extension, you’ll also feel as if you have more space inside your home. And with premium glass extensions using natural, sustainably-sourced materials such as aluminium and timber for the frames, biophilic and natural elements can become an integral part of your home.