Biophilic Designs: Nesting in Nature

By Gaurav Sawhney – President Sales and Marketing, Piramal Realty

India is one of the fastest growing economies with over 400 million aspirational millennials who form nearly half of India’s workforce. A report by BankBazaar suggests thatnearly 69 per cent of these savvy and passionate millennials aimto buy their own home as a top priority.

However, this zeal to work hard and achieve the best in life can be more stressful than one can imagine. Another survey by an insurance company suggested that 95 per cent of Indian millennials admits to being stressed, where work has been mentioned as the main reason for their stress and anxiety followed by the struggle of maintaining a balance between their personal, professional and social life.

Often these young professionals do not know how to handle such obscene amount of stress, how to unwind and decompress. In such situations,it is important for them to have some measures to tackle the stress.One such measure is to simply spend time around nature.

It is said that there is an innate desire in mankind to stay closer to nature and seek comfort from it. But living in cities and suburbs have alienated them from it. They juggle between long hours in the office and long commutes make it even more difficult for them to spend time outdoors rather than making them be caged in the indoors.

The concept of biophilic designs can help satisfy the need for surrounding oneself around nature and de-stress. Biophilic designs architectural principles which help integrating natural elements of light and ventilation with the place of work and home to create a calming atmosphere that uplifts mind and soul. People who live in areas with natural environment have a much better physical and psychological health.

This can be substantiated by a recent study by the University of Michigan’s, which shows that just a 20-30 minutes contact with nature can significantly lower stress hormone levels in the human body. Another report published in the ‘Environmental Research’ journal, states that exposure to green space might reduce the risk of a variety of long-term health conditions.

Keeping these facts in mind, few Indian developers are now designing both residential and commercial projects which helps the occupants to be in connection with nature. This design concept, if implemented in the right manner can help generate a positive impact on the physical and psychological health of people.

Office spaces are now being built by assimilating a variety of biophilic features such as dual-aspect ventilation, natural lighting and unobstructed natural landscapes like plants and natural woods. This can reduce the negative impacts of sterile, lean workplaces on the mind of the employees and workers. Basis the same concept, residential properties are also being designed keeping the connection with nature as a key focus.

As a design, this concept can be implemented at a community or building level. It helps the millennials have a harmonious, stress-free life which empowers them to fulfil their aspirations.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)