How To Incorporate Biophilic Design With Your Windows

The average American spends 90% of their time indoors, which can negatively impact both your mood and your health. However, with biophilic design, your time indoors can be calmer, healthier, and more engaging. The more connected you are to nature, the more likely it is that you’ll enjoy improved cognitive function and physical and psychological well-being. Your windows play a vital role in fostering this connection between you and nature when you’re stuck inside. 

Here’s what you need to know about biophilic design, its benefits, and ways in which you can incorporate biophilic design with your windows. 

What Is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design refers to design that brings the outside in. Biophilia is literally described as a “love of life”, and refers to the natural human instinct to want to connect with nature and other living creatures. It can be hard to do this when you spend the majority of your time indoors. That’s why biophilic design uses natural patterns, materials, and phenomena in order to allow people to still experience that connection with nature, without having to set a foot outside.

Some examples of biophilic design include:

• Plants
• Water features
• Skylights and windows that allow for more natural light
• Using natural materials, such as wood and stone
• Using spatial elements found in nature, like a sensory refuge or big expansive views
• Using natural colors, like greens and browns and blues

Biophilic design is very customizable, and you don’t need a big budget in order to incorporate it into your space. Simply buying some house plants adds an element of biophilic design to your space.

What Are The Benefits Of Biophilic Design?

As previously mentioned, the idea of biophilia is that humans have an innate connection to nature. When you don’t get enough natural light or exposure to nature, this can negatively impact your mood, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing. There are many benefits of biophilic design, such as:

• Decreased stress levels
• Increased productivity
• Improved cognitive function
• Mental restoration
• Increased energy
• Reduced eye strain
• Improved mood
• Exposure to vitamin D
• Maintained affinity with nature

As the human population increases and more and more buildings are built and cultures change, more and more space gets put between us and nature. Biophilic design allows us to enjoy elements of a natural environment in our day-to-day lives, even if we don’t get to spend time outside that day.

How To Incorporate Biophilic Design With Your Windows

Since one of the aspects of biophilic design is maximizing natural light, is it any wonder that your windows play a significant role in it? There are many different ways you can incorporate biophilic design with your windows. Let’s get into it!

Consider The Glazing

Window glazing is the glass on the inside of your windows. You can use it to incorporate biophilic elements by using glazing systems that allow for a lot of natural light to brighten your indoor spaces, increasing light flow throughout your home. 

You may also consider utilizing decorative glazing as a way to not only let natural light in, but also to add some more natural designs throughout your home. For instance, decorative glazing can mimic natural colors and textures, like those of leaves and flowers. That way you get the best of both worlds: natural light and more nature-themed elements throughout your space.

Frame Colors

Many people opt for natural colors and/or materials for their window frames. If you opt for a nice blue frame, this can make your window frames almost disappear into the sky whenever you look outside. Natural wood colors work well for this too, and, many people are surprised to learn this, black windows. Black windows can work both as a picture frame for the view outside your windows and as shadow lines that virtually vanish when you look through them, depending on the colors of your home.

The More The Merrier

The more windows you have, the more natural light gets into your home, especially if you have skylights or big picture windows. This allows you to take full advantage of all the benefits natural light has to offer. Windows also allow you to feel more connected with nature the bigger they are and the more you can see out of them. Big floor-to-ceiling windows blend the indoors and the outdoors together nigh seamlessly.

We Can Incorporate Biophilic Design Into Your Home

Moyes Glass provides high-quality windows and doors that can strengthen your home’s connection with nature and help to bring the outdoors in. To learn more about our window and door services or to see our selection, feel free to either swing by our showroom in Ogden, UT, or to contact us today!