“I believe,” Thoreau wrote, “that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” Interior designers and architects are now putting that to the test.
After evolving alongside nature for hundreds of millions of years, humans have spent the last few thousand distancing themselves from it. A growing number of scientists and psychologists believe it’s taking a toll on our mental and physical health. Their research has indicated that regular exposure to the natural environment can reduce stress, obesity, attention-deficit disorder, childhood anxiety, and other issues.
Many in the design community see their work as part of the solution. These proponents of biophilic design believe that integrating elements of nature into our homes and workplaces can improve well-being and comfort. Examples of how it can be done include using:
- Natural materials such as stone or wood in floors, walls, and furniture.
- Organic forms and patterns inspired by plants, landscapes, and waves or shells in artwork and architectural details.
- Ample natural light and outdoor views via large windows, skylights, and glass doors.
- Seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor areas like patios and courtyards.
The certification organization Science in Design is dedicated to providing design industry professionals with the best available information on biophilic design. Science in Design’s website offers a collection of free webinars featuring talks with scientists, designers, marketers, and other experts on biophilia (from the Greek “love of life”) and neuroaesthetics, the study of how the brain responds to beauty in art and nature.
Among its recent guests was Dr. Richard Taylor, who studies fractals in physics, psychology, physiology, geography, architecture, and art at the University of Oregon. Fractals are repeated, diminishing patterns that are abundant in nature – for example, a large tree branch that has a smaller branch growing from it, an even smaller one protruding from it, and so on. Taylor believes humans are hardwired to need fractal views in their midst, but instead are boxed up all day long in unnatural spaces.
“Our visual systems have become fluent in the language of fractals, and when we head into the built environment, it’s a little like being taken into some far-off land where now we have to struggle with a foreign language,” Taylor explained. “We can try to understand that language, but we’re truly fluent in nature’s fractals.”
Tye Farrow, architect and author of “Constructing Health,” explained to Science in Design that people’s bodies are like giant satellite dishes, constantly absorbing heavy volumes of multisensory information from their surroundings. By better aligning interior design, architecture, and neuroscience, he believes our built environments can convey signals that make people feel at ease and positively influence behavior.
Hand-meshed Island Stone pebble tiles showcasing the natural variation and craftsmanship behind each mosaic
Island Stone’s Natural Inspiration
Biophilic design has been in Island Stone’s DNA since its genesis three decades ago. We were founded by a group of friends who were inspired by Indonesian pebble mosaics they’d seen on a surf trip and spent the next two years working to capture them in tile form. They succeeded, and now Island Stone’s inimitable, handmade pebble mesh tiles have brought a piece of the archipelago’s natural wonder into homes worldwide.
Once their trailblazing pebble mesh tile was established, Island Stone’s artisans branched out into creating products with other natural stones, ceramics, wood, and glass. Thanks to our treatments and ocean- and environment-inspired designs, even the non-stone products maintain a strong visual connection to the natural world. It is a core piece of the company’s identity and a reason why our products will always be in season.
“The innate attraction between humans and nature has always been there, even as we’ve gone through different styles and moments,” Island Stone Vice President of Brand Strategy and Design Feras Irikat said. “Maybe it’s a post-covid result, but people seem more than ever to be connected to organic surfaces and materials, and they want to invite them into their interiors.”
Sitting in his California office, Island Stone Director of Product Management David Tovar pointed to an arrangement of tiles framed on his wall, like a fine painting. He recalled first seeing the tiles at an Island Stone product launch and felt such an emotional connection that he decided to make sure he’d see them every time he entered the room. When a tile has that kind of effect on you, Tovar recommends you do the same.
“You wake up in the morning, see your backsplash every single day, so you want to feel good about it,” Tovar said. “Natural stone products that are tactile somehow have the ability to do that for you and connect with you on a deeper level.”
