Metal Architecture: Building for Biophilic Design

Marcy Marro – Metal Architecture

Susie Teal, senior associate, COOKFOX Architects, New York City, notes that for the vast majority of human history, people have lived in natural settings, evolving to psychologically and physically prefer regular contact with nature. “We now spend an average of 90 percent of our time indoors, making the design of our living and working spaces crucial to our health,” she says.

“Through implementing good biophilic design, our built spaces can make us healthier and happier.”And, research shows that a connection to nature has positive physiological responses, one of which is lowering cortisol. “Elevated cortisol levels are related to stress and a myriad of negative health effects including fatigue, obesity and heart disease,” Teal says. “Learning to design in ways that can reduce stress and improve quality of life has become a moral issue in design.”

Read more in the full article, Building for Biophilic Design, here.