Description
Course Description
Biophilic design is the concept to increase building occupant connectivity to nature whereas biophilic urbanism is a trend in city planning and urban design to integrate nature into the urban built environment. In recent times, as concepts like green buildings, sustainability and NetZero are gaining momentum, many designers have turned to biophilic design options as another aspect of addressing environmental challenges and the impact of urbanism. The overarching theme with anything emanating from biophilia is the integration of nature into the design. Often this concept is confused with many others like “green buildings”, “green architecture”, “sustainability” or even “biomimicry”. While being different, all these concepts, ideas and philosophies share a common goal of trying to help mitigate some of the negative impacts of human development, particularly in the urban context. It is, however, important for architects, designers, and planners to understand the qualitative and contextual differences to be better able to engage with clients, environmentalists, and agencies. It is also essential to know what is and is not the scope and goal of the various concepts. This understanding will enable proper application within the right context, environment, and project type. No one concept is a comprehensive solution but collectively all can play a positive role if applied with proper knowledge and perspective.
Course Learning Objectives
- Understand biophilic design and biophilic urbanism and how these sustainability goals and concepts are brought into city planning and urban development in the context of architecture.
- Examine the main principles of biophilic design and how it contributes to the broader sustainability and NetZero framework.
- Understand the present manifestation of biophilic design and how it has been found to support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being.
- Acknowledge and review that there are challenges presented with Biophilic design implementation.
Course Number: AIAPDH254
Course Hours: 4 LU/HSW