Biophilic design: bringing nature indoors
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People feel at home in nature. Whether it's on the beach, in the woods, or on the heath – all people are outdoors people. Evolutionarily speaking, we haven't been living in houses for very long. That's why the architects at Paul de Ruiter Architects believe it's important to integrate the human connection with nature into their designs.
Matthijs Engele (who worked on the Langeveld Building, among others): “It's called biophilic construction. Think, for example, of letting in plenty of daylight, ensuring people can see outside, and ensuring pleasant acoustics. Use natural materials and bring plants indoors. In such buildings, people feel calmer, more focused, and more at ease. Research shows that it increases learning and work performance, and reduces absenteeism.”
A recent example from their own work shows the Langeveld Building. In their quest to create spaces that inspire, restore, and foster a sense of connection with nature, they used tree trunks instead of steel—logs that Staatsbosbeheer (the Dutch Forestry Commission) felled specifically for the architects in the Het Loo Crown Estate. This allowed the atrium to become a kind of treehouse, the warm, cozy heart of the building. Moreover, with the help of landscaping contractors (who determine which plants thrive where), eight trees were planted in Langeveld, and large planters hang on the facade.
