The Nurturing Effects of Nature

With all the years of working in concrete structures, that offered little to no interaction with the outside world, the new “biophilic” architecture works to improve the well-being of people within their spaces and fosters a stronger connection with the environment.

Why is the natural connection important?

• Interaction with nature nurtures our creativity.  The University of Michigan found that just an hour of interacting with nature improved memory and attention by 20%.  Structures that utilize biophilic architecture help people become more productive and take less sick time.
• Research conducted in Pennsylvania found that patients who had a view of trees from their rooms had shorter hospitalizations, less need for pain medications, and fewer negative comments.
• Social bonding is increased in natural environments which leads to better collaboration in the workplace and less conflict between students in schools.

• Nature restores peace. It has a natural mental health benefit.  Connecting with nature has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children which also has implications for educators.

When it comes to feeling relaxed and calm, research has shown that 90% of people imagine natural settings: waterfalls, trees, gardens, beaches, and the like when thinking of a place to become tranquil.

The trend to include nature as part of architectural design isn’t new.  Edward O Wilson popularized the idea in the 1980s.  In fact, if you look back to that decade, you’ll notice a trend in the addition of solariums to restaurants and homes.  Some of the most established sunroom companies were founded in the 1980s, no doubt as part of the trend to focus on restorative spaces and strengthening the innate attraction to nature.