Biophilic design has become the signature of modern architecture, blending the natural world with our built environments. With this, architects create residential and commercial places incorporating natural elements that nurture well-being, reduce stress, and improve quality of life. This approach is way more than just a passing trend but is
WindowMaster’s A-grade solutions help to lower energy usage WindowMaster has long championed the benefits of sustainable specification for education, particularly natural ventilation, and how it can support happier, healthier, and more productive learning. Recently, it was involved with a landmark project at St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby, a school reshaping
Bruntwood SciTech has announced that work has started on its £4.5 million redevelopment of Centre City in Birmingham. The redevelopment will see Centre City provide cutting-edge workspace and advanced wellness facilities. The landmark 210,000 sq ft building, originally constructed in the 1960s in Birmingham’s vibrant theatre district, is set to
Biophilic Living aims to bring nature into buildings in a meaningful and functioning way. It is a concept conceived and based on the ‘Wellness of Future Generations Act’, with seven of its principles forming the basis of the unique scheme. In order for one such scheme to be completed in
Bruce Kennedy, Architect Director at BDP, discusses the use of biophilic design for the Heriot Watt campus in Dubai. Every level of the campus benefits from a series of subtle features and carefully considered themes that provide relief from the extreme environment that can reach 50 degrees Celsius in summer.
Biophilic design has become the signature of modern architecture, blending the natural world with our built environments. With this, architects create residential and commercial places incorporating natural elements that nurture well-being, reduce stress, and improve quality of life. This approach is way more than just a passing trend but is actually a response to the bond between man and nature. Greenery, natural light, and organic materials all come together in harmony to make spaces into sanctuaries. It is not all about great looks, though—biophilic design is serious about function, sustainability, and a thoughtful approach to integration. Whether one is building afresh or upgrading, the list of how to bring nature indoors is endless. That said, let’s dig in and see how this trend in nature-inspired design is changing the way we build. Even the busiest of urban settings can feel connected to nature’s tranquillity with the right elements. It is a design philosophy that contributes to the health not only of the planet but also the people inhabiting these spaces. Why Biophilic Design Matters Humans have an inborn desire to connect with nature—a concept called biophilia. The bond between man and nature is innate; it gets lost in urban and industrial setups, which leaves most people yearning for greenery and fresh air. Biophilic design closes that gap by bringing the soothing, healing properties of nature into spaces where people live, work, and play. Studies show that environments infused with natural elements can improve mental health, boost productivity, and even aid in physical recovery. It is not only about aesthetics for architects or designers; rather, it’s a question of building spaces that nurture well-being. Whether it is your house, office, or public space, biophilic design creates an environment of equilibrium and serenity. This is the kind of design that not only looks good but feels good to experience. Thoughtfully applied, it can transform even sterile environments into places that inspire comfort and connection. By incorporating greenery into spaces, biophilic design also enhances cognitive performance, making it particularly beneficial in workspaces and learning environments. Biophilic design brings natural materials, flora, and light together to create spaces that mimic the outdoors. Picture a room washed in natural light, featuring earthy textures and abundant greenery. It’s a place where stress evaporates, and focus thrives. Biophilic elements remind us of nature’s beauty while improving air quality and energy efficiency. Whether you’re installing a living wall, optimizing window placements, or integrating nature-inspired finishes, each decision elevates the space. Bringing these natural elements indoors helps blur the boundary between interior and exterior, creating a refreshing and intentional flow. The inclusion of biophilic elements in healthcare settings has even been shown to accelerate patient recovery times, underscoring the profound impact of nature on human health. Natural Light The Heart of Biophilic Design Light generally plays a major role in how we experience a space. Natural light, in particular, does wonders for mood, energy, and overall health. Making the most of natural light arguably is one of the easiest and most available methods of bringing biophilic design into your home. This cuts down on artificial lighting, thus helping reduce energy consumption and support sustainability. Large windows, skylights, and open areas allow a plethora of sunlight into interiors. This not only beautifies a space but makes one more connected to the natural world. These dynamic shifts of natural light throughout the day create an ever-changing environment, thus making spaces alive and interactive. Optimizing Windows and Skylights Windows and skylights, thoughtfully placed, are hallmarks of biophilic architecture. They invite sunlight to penetrate deep into spaces, reducing dependence on artificial lighting while creating uplifting atmospheres. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood interiors with brightness and provide uninterrupted views of outdoor greenery. Skylights, on the other hand, allow diffused light to filter in softly, shifting throughout the day. When designed with care, these features allow nature to permeate even enclosed areas. Beyond their functional benefits, they emphasize the beauty of natural textures and materials. Light and Shadows Natural light interacts dynamically with interiors, creating patterns and shadows that evoke feelings of calm and peace. For example, the dappled light that filters through leaves can be mimicked using screens, shutters, or textured materials. These subtle touches bring life to a space, replicating the outdoor experience indoors. The interplay of light and shadow is both visually stimulating and emotionally calming. By carefully considering how light flows throughout a room, architects can establish spaces that feel warm, inviting, and alive. Natural light has a number of well-being benefits, including regularization of circadian rhythms, quality of sleep, concentration, and general health. It elevates mood, diminishes fatigue, and raises productivity at work. Besides energy savings, daylight is very important in maintaining human well-being. A house filled with natural light gives the impression of being more spacious and alive, creating a sense of energy and connectedness to the outside environment. Biophilic design provides a perfect balance of brightness with energy efficiency, considering the incorporation of elements such as windows, reflective surfaces, and well-thought-out design strategies to create everyday living more comfortable and vital. Living Walls and Indoor Gardens Plants are the essence of biophilic design. They purify air, soften rigid edges, and create a calming presence that few other elements can replicate. From vertical living walls to compact planters, greenery can redefine any space. Living Walls A living wall, or green wall, is a vertical garden that turns blank surfaces into thriving, vibrant focal points. These installations are not only visually stunning but also functional, offering insulation, soundproofing, and improved air quality. They excel in open-concept layouts, where they can double as natural partitions. Living walls are highly adaptable, accommodating diverse plant species suited to specific lighting and environmental conditions. Whether they serve as statement pieces in a living room or subtle additions to hallways, green walls bring vitality and character. Features like moss walls or plant-filled partitions can also improve acoustics, making spaces feel quieter and more serene. Indoor Gardens When living walls are not feasible, indoor gardens offer versatile
WindowMaster’s A-grade solutions help to lower energy usage WindowMaster has long championed the benefits of sustainable specification for education, particularly natural ventilation, and how it can support happier, healthier, and more productive learning. Recently, it was involved with a landmark project at St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby, a school reshaping the educational landscape as the UK’s first biophilic school, with the natural environment woven deep into the building’s DNA. The goal was simple: to create a healthy, happy, and productive learning environment using fresh air, natural daylight, and biophilia, whilst keeping CO2 as low as possible. Let’s take a closer look… One in, one out With sustainable design at the heart of the project, carbon neutrality was a core objective, meaning energy consumption and emissions had to be kept to a minimum wherever possible. During an early discussion about the Academy’s intended utilities, its ventilation requirements were soon identified as an area where carbon and energy costs could be kept down. Understandably, traditional mechanical systems were ruled out due to higher operational emissions and maintenance requirements, also because their use would make meeting the required Net Zero outcome much harder. So, after consultation with lead contractor Cundall, they advised the project team were looking for a passive alternative, project architects Hawkins Brown settled on a Smart Windows Network. Quickly appreciating the efficacy and efficiency of this type of system, that simply automates the opening and closing of windows to regulate fresh air throughout a building’s interior, it was then selected as the solution. It was felt by all parties this choice would best guarantee maximum amounts of fresh air circulated within the building’s interiors, with lower CO2, less maintenance, and smaller energy bills. Of course, establishing and installing a Smart Windows Network takes a high degree of expertise, this led the project team to approach WindowMaster – the leading natural and hybrid ventilation specialist, to integrate & deliver the complete solution. The natural choice WindowMaster arrived on site during August 2023, the combination of cutting-edge technology, high-quality components, and expert consultation played an integral part in installing / integrating actuators & controls into this landmark project. The school design required 18nr ‘ventilation’ zones. This was achieved using 11nr networked control panels & 18nr intelligent CO2 & temperature sensors. Capable of monitoring the indoor CO2, temperature, and humidity, these sensors work by limiting window opening times, and keeping rooms comfortable all year round. This is made possible through its signature, NV Embedded® technology, a unique solution that can also provide seamless interface with building management systems (BMS). The controls network was then combined with WindowMaster’s signature smart actuators, a total of 90nr OEM WMX 823 models fitted into the façade’s VELFAC windows and 42 WMU 882 models installed on the high-level modular roof lights. Strong and effective, these actuators offer millimetre precision when opening and closing windows, accurately modulating for precise airflow control. Optimal learning Beyond sustainability, WindowMaster’s systems also provide optimal indoor air quality and maximum climatic comfort within learning environments. Studies have shown the benefits of continuous, freshly oxygenated air in the education environment, it helps students to focus, giving them the ‘brain food’ they need to learn and engage, especially when combined with sunlight from large windows. Without removing stale air, pupils can become lethargic and are less likely to participate, which could impact their grades over time. The Smart Window Network at St Mary’s achieves this with minimal mechanical intervention, consistently bringing in fresh air and removing it simply through the management of natural air currents. Comfort-wise, the ‘NV Embedded’ system works hand in hand with building management systems on site to maintain a constant pleasant temperature, again at a low carbon cost. But that’s not all, to provide added flexibility, 5nr comfort control panels were fitted throughout the site. This meant staff could quickly customise classroom conditions, and keep their students as engaged as possible, by ensuring optimal ventilation dependent on internal / external atmospheric conditions. Commenting on the new natural ventilation system, WindowMaster’s UK Director, David Brown, said: “St Mary’s represents a new era for educational buildings. It’s all about promoting the physical and mental health of the pupils by keeping them connected to nature. We understand that the air children breathe and the environment that they learn in are crucial to their health and development, which is why St Mary’s opted for our ventilation systems. The school is a pilot project by the Department for Education and we needed to get it right the first time around. The client knew a low-energy solution was the way forward but refused to compromise on performance which is where our technology came into its own. We knew exactly what they were trying to achieve.” To find out more about WindowMaster’s cutting-edge ventilation solutions click here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bruntwood SciTech has announced that work has started on its £4.5 million redevelopment of Centre City in Birmingham. The redevelopment will see Centre City provide cutting-edge workspace and advanced wellness facilities. The landmark 210,000 sq ft building, originally constructed in the 1960s in Birmingham’s vibrant theatre district, is set to undergo a transformative revival to become the city’s new central hub for innovation-led businesses. It represents a unique opportunity for businesses to scale and grow in a prime city centre location, within touching distance of New Street Station. With construction now underway, work on the redeveloped Centre City is set to be completed in January 2025, with the new look workspace likely to take on a new name to reflect its transformation. For the first time, this 20 storey building will offer co-working and pay as you go options, complementing its existing leased offices, to offer flexible and scalable options for companies at various stages of growth. The transformation will also deliver inviting new internal spaces, including a spacious lounge with biophilia and cafe, designed to foster collaboration and wellbeing. Additionally, the basement will be converted to include a high-quality fitness and weights studio, contemplation room and bike storage area, while the ground floor and central atrium will also undergo substantial and impressive renovations. The building’s new entrance will feature a striking living wall, incorporating biophilic design into Birmingham’s bustling city centre. Centre City boasts a prime location, less than two minutes from Birmingham’s New Street Station and in close proximity to the Bullring Shopping Centre. This presents Centre City customers with unparalleled access to Birmingham’s extensive transport network, including the expanding West Midlands metro network, as well as an extensive retail and amenity offering. With limited space having recently been made available, Centre City provides a unique opportunity for businesses of any size looking to take advantage of a strategic city centre location, as flexible floor plates ranging in size from 7500-23,000 sq ft are available within the building. New customers will join a diverse community of already established businesses based there, including the Ministry of Justice, the Water Services Regulation Authority, Citizens Advice, Hitachi and one of the UK’s largest insurance companies – Liverpool Victoria. A joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Bruntwood SciTech underscores its commitment to sustainability and high environmental standards through this latest project. These retrofitting measures will include the installation of HVRF air conditioning in the new basement gym, air quality sensors in reception and atrium, and a new Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) for the building’s water supply in the basement. Businesses joining Centre City will form part of a thriving community of over 100 innovative companies located across Bruntwood SciTech’s six innovation hubs in Birmingham including Innovation Birmingham, Mclaren, Cornerblock, Cornwall Buildings and Birmingham Health Innovation Campus. The refurbishment of Centre City is the latest step in Bruntwood SciTech’s broader investment strategy in Birmingham, complementing recent development projects such as Cornerblock, ongoing developments at the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, where No.1 BHIC is due to complete later this summer and the award-winning Enterprise Wharf at Innovation Birmingham. This initiative underscores Bruntwood SciTech’s commitment to enhancing Birmingham’s business landscape and creating a city-wide ecosystem across the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Biophilic Living aims to bring nature into buildings in a meaningful and functioning way. It is a concept conceived and based on the ‘Wellness of Future Generations Act’, with seven of its principles forming the basis of the unique scheme. In order for one such scheme to be completed in Swansea, National Pile Croppers, a company proud of its own environmental credentials, assisted by supplying pile cropping expertise and equipment to the flagship development. Biophilic Living, is a UK first at bringing nature into our buildings in a meaningful and functioning way, being a concept based on the ‘Wellness of Future Generations Act’ with seven principles forming the basis of the scheme. This uses unique and innovative systems of energy from sustainable sources that deliver unparalleled levels of performance to housing occupiers, leading to lower energy cost that are low carbon in origin. Significant savings in carbon are also experienced from the reutilisation of an existing building, saving up to 40% in embedded carbon compared to an entire new build. Visionary Swansea development – Helix 21 The vision for Biophilic Living Swansea is to enable reconnection with nature in the urban environment, and the creation of a cohesive community to tackle issues of social exclusion and loneliness in an innovative way. Under the name of Helix 21, the project will allow residents to help run an urban farm as a social enterprise, with home grown produce consumed and sold locally. Biophilic Living is founded on research that shows that reconnecting with nature is essential to well-being, with positive community and health outcomes derived from living more closely alongside the natural world. In practical terms, Helix 21 will provide residents with access to roof spaces, glass houses, and the creation of a winter garden to meet and become involved in the growing of food for consumption, whilst also providing a meeting space that has panoramic views of Swansea Bay. The development, a first for the UK, has seen the pioneering project being awarded funding through the Welsh Government Innovative Housing Programme. It will trial a new, scalable model that is set to transform the way inner city housing in Wales is conceived and implemented. The project is a mixed use development that includes affordable and shared ownership housing, as well as retail and commercial space. It has been undertaken by Hacer Developments, being designed by Powell Dobson Architects in Swansea. The concept is the result of extensive collaborative working among a range of local organisations, including Swansea University, the Active Building Centre, Public Health Wales, Swansea Community Farm and Sero Homes Ltd. “There is an urgent need for housing and mixed use developments that are sustainable in terms of their environmental impact and economic viability, as a response to the climate emergency and to ensure greater resilience and well-being for urban communities. This project will prove what’s possible, showcase new technologies being developed locally, and blaze a trail for others to follow across Swansea city centre and beyond,” says Carwyn Davies, director of Hacer Developments. Environmentally friendly construction Given the nature of the Biophilic development in Swansea, construction techniques had to maintain the highest levels of environmentally friendliness. Any work had to keep disturbance to a minimum, be low emission, and crucially, have as little detrimental effect to the local habitat as possible. As concrete piles were used to form the substructure of the development, Helix 21 sought out a company with high environmental values to supply the necessary pile cropping equipment. To this end, Helix 21 engaged National Pile Croppers to not only advise on the most suitable solution for the pile cropping, but also supply the necessary equipment. “All in all there were 70 x 650mm diameter piles that required cropping over a six week period. Given the nature of the site, and the values of Helix 21 and the Biophilic Living scheme, we recommended the use of our Quad Large,” commented National Pile Cropper’s managing director Simon Price. “The Quad Large is a highly efficient pile cropper that could easily handle the work demanded of it in Swansea. Although highly powerful with efficient hydraulics, it can be used by a 16 t excavator, and is lowered over the top of the pile to the recommended height. The Quad then simply closes its jaws until the pile section pops free, ensuring that the reinforcement bars are straight for ease of removal, and that the broken pile section can then be lifted for removal. This means that any material from the pile can be easily recycled,” adds Simon. National Pile Croppers has placed a great deal of emphasis on developing its solutions to be not only highly efficient and effective, but also to be as environmentally friendly as possible. “The environment and the effective use of resources is very important to us and has been endemic to the company since its inception. The chance to be involved on such a scheme as the Swansea Biophilic Living development presented the perfect opportunity for us to put our values into action. We are all very proud to be associated with the scheme,” concludes Simon Price. Lower cropper Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bruce Kennedy, Architect Director at BDP, discusses the use of biophilic design for the Heriot Watt campus in Dubai. Every level of the campus benefits from a series of subtle features and carefully considered themes that provide relief from the extreme environment that can reach 50 degrees Celsius in summer. Using biophilic design principles, BDP has managed to transform a seven-storey office block overlooking the Arabian Gulf into a unified vertical campus for a Scottish university. The nature around has informed the orientation of learning spaces; the choice of materials for walls, floors and furniture; the flow of air, and even hanging felt screens that absorb sound and provide privacy in open-plan staff areas. Biophilic design has been shown to enhance wellbeing. Although plants, as shown in Heriot Watt’s Dubai Campus where interior green walls run through all levels, can form an important part of the design, it is about more than that. It is also about textural elements, a rich variety of patterns, the choice of natural over synthetic materials and the inclusion of ‘biomimicry,’ which in this case includes carpets that recall stone, moss and grass. BDP’s inspiration for the design of the Dubai campus was the designed landscape of Heriot Watt’s Riccarton Estate. Its lush green parkland has an exceptional tree collection and provided a compelling context for the application of biophilic principles; referencing Scottish standing stones and the pavements of Edinburgh in the slate-lined walls and monolithic reception desk that welcome visitors to Dubai. Biophilic design has succeeded in giving the Dubai campus a sense of identity, orientating staff who travel between the Gulf and Edinburgh, and offering its students a unique connection to the heritage of this ancient Scottish university. Arabic culture is referenced in elements that include an interpretation of traditional mashrabiya screens – a laser-cut, gold anodised aluminium veil encircling the welcome space. Its pattern is lifted from the Heriot Watt coat of arms and filters the sun, recalling the dappled light passing through Riccarton’s tree canopy – while the choice of wood for furniture provides another grounding element within the borrowed landscape. An important aspect of biophilic design is its ability to unite interior and exterior environments, and BDP has located social learning spaces where to provide views through palm trees toward the Gulf. To visitors, staff and students, not all of these features will be immediately evident, but they combine on a subliminal level to instill a sense of belonging. And the client, Heriot Watt University, was open to the philosophy. They understood that biophilic design would enrich the learning environment, infusing the Dubai campus with an identity that links it to its Edinburgh roots. In Dubai, this approach has provided a way of uniting nature, culture and heritage in a contemporary setting, creating a sense of belonging and making students and staff feel comfortable in their surroundings. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
