15594_Kellert_3p_ffirs.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page ii 15594_Kellert_3p_ffirs.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page i Biophilic Design 15594_Kellert_3p_ffirs.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page ii 15594_Kellert_3p_ffirs.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page iii Biophilic Design The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life EDITED BY: Stephen R. Kellert Judith H. Heerwagen Martin L. Mador John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 15594_Kellert_3p_ffirs.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page iv 100% TOTAL RECYCLED PAPER 100% POSTCONSUMER PAPER This book is printed on acid-free paper. ●d Copyright © 2008 by Stephen R. Kellert, Judith H. Heerwagen, and Martin L. Mador. 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Mador, Martin L., 1949– NA2542.35.E44 2008 720'.47—dc22 2007023228 Printed in the United States of America 10987654321 15594_Kellert_3p_ftoc.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page v Contents Preface vii Stephen R. Kellert and Judith H. Heerwagen Acknowledgments xi Prologue: In Retrospect xiii Hillary Brown PART I The Theory of Biophilic Design 1 Chapter 1 Dimensions, Elements, and Attributes of Biophilic Design 3 Stephen R. Kellert Chapter 2 The Nature of Human Nature 21 Edward O. Wilson Chapter 3 A Good Place to Settle: Biomimicry, Biophilia, and the Return of Nature’s Inspiration to Architecture 27 Janine Benyus Chapter 4 Water, Biophilic Design, and the Built Environment 43 Martin L. Mador Chapter 5 Neuroscience, the Natural Environment, and Building Design 59 Nikos A. Salingaros and Kenneth G. Masden II PART II The Science and Benefits of Biophilic Design 85 Chapter 6 Biophilic Theory and Research for Healthcare Design 87 Roger S. Ulrich Chapter 7 Nature Contact and Human Health: Building the Evidence Base 107 Howard Frumkin Chapter 8 Where Windows Become Doors 119 Vivian Loftness with Megan Snyder Chapter 9 Restorative Environmental Design: What, When, Where, and for Whom? 133 Terry Hartig, Tina Bringslimark, and Grete Grindal Patil Chapter 10 Healthy Planet, Healthy Children: Designing Nature into the Daily Spaces of Childhood 153 Robin C. Moore and Clare Cooper Marcus v 15594_Kellert_3p_ftoc.f.qxd 12/5/07 12:03 PM Page vi vi Contents Chapter 11 Children and the Success of Biophilic Design 205 Richard Louv Chapter 12 The Extinction of Natural Experience in the Built Environment 213 David Orr and Robert Michael Pyle Part III The Practice of Biophilic Design 225 Chapter 13 Biophilia and Sensory Aesthetics 227 Judith H. Heerwagen and Bert Gregory Chapter 14 Evolving an Environmental Aesthetic 243 Stephen Kieran Chapter 15 The Picture Window: The Problem of Viewing Nature Through Glass 253 Kent Bloomer Chapter 16 Biophilic Architectural Space 263 Grant Hildebrand Chapter 17 Toward Biophilic Cities: Strategies for Integrating Nature into Urban Design 277 Timothy Beatley Chapter 18 Green Urbanism: Developing Restorative Urban Biophilia 297 Jonathan F. P. Rose Chapter 19 The Greening of the Brain 307 Pliny Fisk III Chapter 20 Bringing Buildings to Life 313 Tom Bender Chapter 21 Biophilia in Practice: Buildings That Connect People with Nature 325 Alex Wilson Chapter 22 Transforming Building Practices Through Biophilic Design 335 Jenifer Seal Cramer and William Dee Browning Chapter 23 Reflections on Implementing Biophilic Design 347 Bob Berkebile and Bob Fox, with Alice Hartley Contributors 357 Image Credits 365 Index 371 15594_Kellert_3p_fpref.f.qxd 12/5/07 11:13 AM Page vii Preface Stephen R. Kellert and Judith H. Heerwagen his book immodestly aspires to help mend the The idea of biophilic design arises from the increas- prevailing breach existing in our society between ing recognition that the human mind and body evolved T the modern built environment and the human in a sensorially rich world, one that continues to be crit- need for contact with the natural world. In this regard, ical to people’s health, productivity, emotional, intellec- the chapters in this volume focus on the theory, science, tual, and even spiritual well-being. The emergence and practice of what we call biophilic design, an innovative during the modern age of large-scale agriculture, indus- approach that emphasizes the necessity of maintaining, try, artificial fabrication, engineering, electronics, and enhancing, and restoring the beneficial experience of na- the city represents but a tiny fraction of our species’ ture in the built environment. Although we present bio- evolutionary history. Humanity evolved in adaptive re- philic design as an innovation today, ironically, it was the sponse to natural conditions and stimuli, such as sun- way buildings were designed for much of human history. light, weather, water, plants, animals, landscapes, and Integration with the natural environment; use of local habitats, which continue to be essential contexts for materials, themes and patterns of nature in building ar- human maturation, functional development, and ulti- tifacts; connection to culture and heritage; and more mately survival. were all tools and methods used by builders, artisans, and Unfortunately, modern technical and engineering designers to create structures still among the most func- accomplishments have fostered the belief that humans tional, beautiful, and enduring in the world. can transcend their natural and genetic heritage. This The authors in this book represent widely diverse presumption has encouraged a view of humanity as hav- disciplines, including architects, natural scientists, social ing escaped the dictates of natural systems, with human scientists, health professionals, developers, practitioners, progress and civilization measured by its capacity for and others who offer an original and timely vision of fundamentally altering and transforming the natural how we can achieve not just a sustainable but also a more world. This dangerous illusion has given rise to an ar- satisfying and fulfilling modern society in harmony with chitectural practice that encourages overexploitation, nature. Collectively, they articulate a paradigm shift in environmental degradation, and separation of people how we design and build with nature in mind. Still, bio- from natural systems and processes. The dominant par- philic design is not about greening our buildings or sim- adigm of design and development of the modern built ply increasing their aesthetic appeal through inserting environment has become one of unsustainable energy trees and shrubs. Much more, it is about humanity’s and resource consumption, extensive air and water pol- place in nature, and the natural world’s place in human lution, widespread atmospheric and climate alteration, society, a space where mutuality, respect, and enriching excessive waste generation, unhealthy indoor environ- relation can and should exist at all levels and emerge as mental conditions, increasing alienation from nature, the norm rather than the exception. and growing “placelessness.” One of the volume’s au- Biophilic design at any scale from buildings to cities thors, David Orr (1999:212–213), described this lam- begins with a simple question: How does the built en- entable condition in this way: vironment