Biophilic Design Explained by a Landscape Architect: Bringing Nature Back into Everyday Spaces
- Banabhoomi
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
In this article
Cities today are growing faster than ever. Buildings rise, roads expand, and life moves indoors. Somewhere along the way, nature quietly slips out of our daily lives.
Most people feel it, even if they cannot explain it. The fatigue inside closed rooms. The calm we feel near trees. The comfort of sunlight entering a space. This is where biophilic design begins.
Biophilic design is based on a simple truth. Humans are not separate from nature. We are designed to live with it.
As landscape architects, this belief shapes how we design spaces at Banabhoomi. For us, biophilic design is not about adding plants at the end. It is about rethinking how spaces should feel, breathe, and support everyday life.
What Biophilic Design Really Means?
Biophilic design is often misunderstood as decoration. A few plants here, a green wall there. But true biophilic design goes much deeper.
It is about creating spaces that feel naturally comfortable. Spaces that allow light to move freely. Spaces where air flows, materials feel honest, and nature is not hidden but experienced.
We look at biophilic design through three simple layers.
The first is a direct connection with nature. This includes plants, water elements, sunlight, natural ventilation, and access to outdoor spaces.
The second is indirect connection. Natural materials like stone and wood. Soft, organic forms. Earthy colours and textures that remind us of landscapes we instinctively feel drawn to.
The third is spatial experience. Open layouts, visual depth, sheltered corners, and flowing movement are inspired by how we experience nature outdoors.
When these layers come together, spaces begin to feel alive.
Why Biophilic Design Matters Today
People often ask why biophilic design is so important now. The answer is simple. We are spending more time indoors than ever before.
In cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where urban living is expanding rapidly, spaces must work harder to support well-being.
Biophilic environments help reduce stress. They make spaces calmer and more balanced. Indoor plants improve air quality and bring freshness into closed rooms. Workspaces designed with natural elements see better focus, energy, and morale.
Beyond comfort, biophilic design supports sustainability. Green spaces help manage heat, reduce energy use, and create healthier microclimates.
At Banabhoomi, these benefits guide every design decision we make, from small homes to large developments.
Bringing Biophilic Design into Homes
Many homeowners wonder how biophilic design fits into modern homes. The truth is, it can be simple and practical.
Indoor plants such as snake plant, bamboo palm, and money plant quietly improve air quality while softening interiors. Natural materials like wood, bamboo, and stone add warmth and timelessness to living spaces.
Balconies and terraces often remain underused. With thoughtful planning, they can become green retreats, even in apartments. Vertical gardens and compact planting make it possible to bring nature into limited spaces.
Natural light plays a vital role. Allowing sunlight to enter freely through well-placed openings or skylights changes how a home feels throughout the day.
The goal is not perfection. It is a connection.
Biophilic Design in Workspaces
Offices are where biophilic design makes a visible difference.
Living walls and green partitions create privacy while reducing noise and improving air quality.
Plants at workstations reduce visual fatigue and add a sense of calm. Breakout spaces designed as courtyards, terraces, or rooftop gardens give employees a chance to pause, breathe, and reset.
When offices are planned to receive maximum natural light, people feel more alert and comfortable throughout the day.
The result is not just a better office. It is a healthier workplace.
Designing with Odisha in Mind
Biophilic design works best when it responds to its surroundings. Odisha’s climate and culture naturally support this approach.
Traditional Odia homes have always valued courtyards, shade, and airflow. These ideas remain relevant today. By selecting plants suited to local conditions, landscapes stay resilient and easier to maintain.
Native species thrive in Odisha’s soil and weather. They need less care and support for local biodiversity. Design choices that respect heat, rainfall, and seasonal change ensure long-term performance.
This local understanding is essential for meaningful biophilic landscapes in Bhubaneswar and across Odisha.
The Landscape Architect’s Role
Biophilic design is often seen as an add-on. In reality, it needs careful planning from the beginning.
Architects shape buildings. Interior designers refine interiors. Landscape architects focus on how nature and built spaces come together.
Our role is to understand climate, plants, water, light, and human experience, and translate them into spaces that feel balanced and alive.
Biophilic design is not about filling spaces with greenery. It is about creating environments that support life.
As cities continue to grow, the need for thoughtful, nature-led design will only increase. At Banabhoomi, we believe spaces should nurture people as much as they serve function.
Because when nature is part of everyday life, spaces begin to truly belong to the people who live and work in them.
FAQs
What is biophilic design in simple terms?
Biophilic design is a way of designing spaces that reconnect people with nature. It goes beyond decoration and focuses on bringing natural light, plants, airflow, and natural materials into everyday environments to improve comfort, health, and well-being.
Is biophilic design suitable for apartments and small homes?
Yes. Biophilic design works very well in apartments and compact homes. Indoor plants, balcony gardens, vertical green walls, natural light optimization, and the use of natural materials can all be adapted to smaller spaces without major structural changes.
Does biophilic design require high maintenance?
Not necessarily. When designed properly using native plants and climate-appropriate materials, biophilic spaces can be low-maintenance. Landscape architects plan plant selection, irrigation, and layouts to ensure long-term ease of care.
How is biophilic design different from simply adding plants?
Adding plants is only one part of biophilic design. True biophilic design considers light, ventilation, spatial flow, materials, and human experience along with greenery. It focuses on how a space feels and functions, not just how it looks.
Why should a landscape architect be involved in biophilic design?
Landscape architects understand ecology, climate, and how natural systems interact with built spaces. Their role is to integrate nature in a balanced and sustainable way, ensuring biophilic design works both aesthetically and functionally over the long term.
