Well, here is the academic version:
Biophilic design within modern-day buildings is a growing trend and is encouraged throughout serval readings, Brown (2016), suggests that an overall holistic approach is undertaken in the design stage of a project. Brown (2016), highlights within his book, Futurestorative, the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design created by Terrapin Bright Green. Terrapin Bright Green (2014), suggests that the following patterns are to be used when considering biophilic design:
Visual connection with nature
Non-visual connection with nature
Non-rhythmic sensory stimuli
Thermal and airflow variability
Presence of water
Dynamic and diffuse light
Connection with natural systems
Biomorphic forms and patterns
Material connection with nature
Complexity and order
Prospect
Refuge
Mystery
Risk/Peril
These 14 Patterns have been taken and used within the accreditation process for the Living building challenge and are set out within the Living Building Challenge 3.1 Biophilic Design Exploration Guidebook 2017.
You can see Biophilic design all around you, people do it unconsciously. From putting a plant on your desk to picking that booth in the restaurant, we have a code within us that runs on auto-pilot. It wants us to be feel safe and stress free, we just need to learn to embrace it and use it to guide us into creating new things.
Biophilia is the connection to nature and other living things that humans crave, its what drives us to make unconscious decision that we can explain. It helps to heal our bodies, minds and general well-being.
For now, in order for you to start to feel the benefits. Just get yourself a small or large potted plant, tend to it and ensure you can see it throughout the day. Measure your stress responses and I can guarantee, you will feel a reduction in stress and an improvement in well-being.