Do you feel stressed and anxious in your home, longing for a sense of calm? If urban life has you feeling disconnected from nature, biophilic design may be just what you need. This approach brings the outdoors in by mixing in natural elements that make indoor spaces healthier and more relaxing.
At its heart, biophilic design recognises that surrounding ourselves with nature is good for our health and happiness. But as city-dwellers today, many of us spend over 90% of our time inside, disconnected from the natural world outside our walls. This detachment from nature may increase stress, anxiety, and depression. Biophilic design aims to bridge this divide by bringing the outdoors in.
Biophilic design is considered a pillar of sustainable interior design as it promotes human health while minimising environmental impact. The goal is to create interior spaces that nurture our mental and physical well-being through connections to nature. This is achieved by maximising natural lighting, ventilation, plants, natural materials, views of nature, and organic shapes and forms. The end result is an indoor environment that feels connected to the natural world even within an urban setting.
For homeowners in Singapore, biophilic design offers an appealing way to create a calming oasis right within your own four walls. The humid tropical climate here makes linking interiors with nature even more impactful. Biophilic elements like sunlight, greenery, and natural materials are abundant in our landscape and can be harnessed to transform indoor spaces.
There are six core elements that form the pillars of biophilic design to infuse indoor spaces with nature.
Maximising natural sunlight is a core principle of biophilic design. Humans have an innate connection to daylight cycles. Natural light improves mood, focus, and sleep quality. Strategies include large windows, skylights, solar tubes, and glass walls. Consider sunlight angles at different times of the day.
Allowing fresh outdoor air to circulate indoors reduces CO2 buildup and mould growth. Operable windows, ceiling fans, and air vents boost airflow. Careful placement ensures cross ventilation without drafts. Humidity control is key in tropical climates like Singapore’s.
Incorporating a diversity of plant life brings nature indoors. Plants filter air, increase humidity, and provide calming views. Strategic placement of potted plants, living walls, conservatories, and green roofs enhances biophilia. Pick low-maintenance tropical houseplants suitable for Singapore’s climate.
Materials from nature such as wood, stone, cork, and bamboo promote organic sensations. They add texture, create inviting spaces, and connect us to the natural world. Sustainable sourcing guarantees ecological benefits, too. Look for renewable, locally-sourced natural materials.
Providing views of living landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife grounds people in nature. Strategies would include large picture windows, seating oriented towards views, and outdoor rooms. Bird-friendly practices let nature in. Frame views of Singapore’s vibrant tropical greenery.
Forms inspired by nature feel innate to people. Flowing lines, natural patterns, and irregular shapes subconsciously relax us. Avoid straight edges and hard angles. Incorporate tree-inspired pillars, shell-shaped lighting, wave-like tiles.
Biophilic design can be incorporated throughout a home to create a seamlessly integrated nature experience indoors.
Biophilic design can be creatively adapted to enhance indoor-outdoor connections within the unique context of spaces.
Incorporate native tropical plants like orchids, ferns, palms, and flowering plants to immerse interiors in Singapore’s exotic botanical heritage. Place indoor greenery to frame views of vibrant exterior landscapes.
Leverage Singapore’s year-round tropical airflow. Site windows to maximise cross breezes and natural cooling. Supplement with fans to keep air gently circulating.
Filter intense equatorial sun with adjustable bamboo screens, tinted glass, and UV-blocking window films. Translucent drapes diffuse harsh light.
Choose sustainable tropical woods like merbau, meranti, and kapur harvested from this region. Incorporate durable native stones like granite and limestone. Use natural fibres like rattan, bamboo, cotton, and silk.
Incorporate feng shui principles of spatial harmony. Display local art, fabrics, and decorative objects. Frame iconic city views. Design flexible multifunctional spaces reflecting Singaporean openness to blending cultures.
Maximise indoor-outdoor flow with large sliding doors, foldable walls, and adjoining outdoor rooms. Covered terraces let you enjoy tropical views while being protected from rain and sun. Line with planters for privacy.
Beyond just an interior design trend, adopting biophilic principles can be a meaningful lifestyle choice for Singaporeans wanting to reconnect with nature. It lets us view our homes as an extension of the surrounding tropical landscape rather than separate from it and creates a deeply nurturing habitat matching our climate and culture.
Implementing biophilic elements throughout our living spaces transforms them into reflections of our core values of sustainability, wellness, and an appreciation for natural beauty. A biophilic home becomes a calming oasis showcasing our natural need for harmony with nature all around us but so often shut out in modern buildings. It creates an intimately personal space integrating nature into our daily routines.
Embracing biophilic design is a commitment to an ecologically conscious and mentally balanced lifestyle. Beyond aesthetics, it is a philosophical approach to living that recognises the profound impacts nature has on our health and happiness. For Singaporeans, it allows us to honour our lush natural environment and translate its rejuvenating benefits into our interior landscape.
Bringing the vision of a biophilic home to life can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with a professional interior designer makes the process smoother and ensures your unique nature-inspired aesthetic is achieved.
An experienced designer understands how to integrate biophilic elements throughout your space for maximum impact. They can help select sustainable materials and plants that thrive in Singapore’s climate. An expert eye for lighting and layout creates the ideal flow between indoor and outdoor areas.
Collaborating with a designer lets you articulate your vision while leaving the details to a pro. Describe the feelings and experience you want to evoke in each space. A skilled designer will bring that to life. Leaning into their expertise takes your vision further.
Of course, a successful partnership needs open communication, trust, and collaboration. Convey what matters most so the designer understands your lifestyle and priorities. Together, walk through each room to discuss possibilities. Stay involved in selecting items you connect with. The result will feel cohesive and genuinely reflective of you.
When you find the right designer, the process is rewarding. A thoughtfully planned biophilic home makes you feel profoundly reconnected to nature every single day.
If this nature-inspired design resonates with you, it is time to take action. Consult with interior design professionals like Style+Space who can advise and guide you in implementing biophilic principles throughout your space. Your home becomes a one-of-a-kind nature retreat with the right collaborative partnership.
