1. ArchDaily
  2. Biophilic Design

Biophilic Design: The Latest Architecture and News

An Eden within the Workplace: Flexible Pods with Biophilic and Human-Centered Design

 | Sponsored Content

Winston Churchill once wisely stated, "We shape our buildings, and in turn, our buildings shape us," a reflection that highlights how architecture, in its dynamic nature, responds to functional needs and molds the experiences of its users. Workplaces have been no exception, evolving with the social and technological changes that have redefined our understanding of organizational interactions. Almost in the blink of an eye, the once-restrictive cubicles and closed offices have made way for open layouts, while hybrid models have transformed offices into destination spaces. Furniture elements like office pods are at the forefront of this change—balancing collaboration and privacy. Designed to adapt, they have continually evolved alongside the shifting demands of modern workspaces and their inhabitants.

Spaces that Educate: The Role of Architectural Design on International Education Day

Today, the International Day of Education serves as a reminder of the significant impact that architectural design has on learning environments. From flexible classrooms that adapt to diverse teaching methods to outdoor learning areas that integrate natural elements, the architecture of learning spaces embodies the principles of pedagogy, offering opportunities for exploration, collaboration and creativity, all while maintaining a focus on the safety and comfort of all users. This selection of articles explores the potential of design to enhance learning outcomes through spatial exploration, be it inside the classroom, in outdoor spaces or by encouraging larger communities to part-take in the learning process.

Spaces that Educate: The Role of Architectural Design on International Education Day - Image 1 of 4Spaces that Educate: The Role of Architectural Design on International Education Day - Image 2 of 4Spaces that Educate: The Role of Architectural Design on International Education Day - Image 3 of 4Spaces that Educate: The Role of Architectural Design on International Education Day - Image 4 of 4Spaces that Educate: The Role of Architectural Design on International Education Day - More Images+ 10

3XN Wins Competition to Design Chungnam Art Center in South Korea

3XN has just won an international competition, which they were invited to participate in, to design the Chungnam Art Center in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. Designed in collaboration with SIAPLAN and MDA, the new art center aims to serve as a key destination for creative expression. Drawing inspiration from the dynamic movements of art, the center seeks to create a space where everyone can both experience and participate in the arts.

3XN Wins Competition to Design Chungnam Art Center in South Korea - Image 1 of 43XN Wins Competition to Design Chungnam Art Center in South Korea - Image 2 of 43XN Wins Competition to Design Chungnam Art Center in South Korea - Image 3 of 43XN Wins Competition to Design Chungnam Art Center in South Korea - Image 4 of 43XN Wins Competition to Design Chungnam Art Center in South Korea - More Images+ 2

3XN GXN Unveils Design for Hybrid-Timber Office Building in Amsterdam’s Zuidas District

3XN GXN has revealed its design for Mahler 1, a 15-storey mixed-use office building. The structure, developed in collaboration with Victory Group, Icon Real Estate, and Erik Dhont Landscape Architects, features a hybrid-timber construction system that creates a stepped volume, breaking down the building’s mass. At the street level, the development offers a wide variety of public amenities, striving to become an active hub for both residents and office workers. The project is expected to begin construction in the first half of 2025 and conclude in late 2027.

Landscape Architects Lead Bhutan’s Mindfulness City

“The Mindfulness City will be a sustainable city. To be mindful is to be aware — to perform best,” said Giulia Frittoli, partner and head of landscape at BIG. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked Buddhist country in the eastern Himalayas, nestled between China and India. It covers 14,000 square miles and has a population of nearly 800,000.

The Royal Office of Bhutan asked BIG, Arup, and Cistri to develop a plan for a new Mindfulness City in Gelephu in southern Bhutan, near the border with India. The city will span 386 square miles and include a new international airport, railway connections, hydroelectric dam, university, spiritual center, and public spaces.

Landscape Architects Lead Bhutan’s Mindfulness City - Image 1 of 4Landscape Architects Lead Bhutan’s Mindfulness City - Image 2 of 4Landscape Architects Lead Bhutan’s Mindfulness City - Image 3 of 4Landscape Architects Lead Bhutan’s Mindfulness City - Image 4 of 4Landscape Architects Lead Bhutan’s Mindfulness City - More Images+ 3

2023 RIBA House of the Year Award: Hayhurst & Co.'s 'Green House' Wins Best Residential Design in the UK

The 2023 RIBA House of the Year Award has been awarded to “Green House.” Designed by Hayhurst & Co, this polycarbonate-lined residential family home was inspired by nature. The annual award recognizes the house as the best example of residential design in the UK. Described as a “domestic greenhouse” and an “extraordinary ordinary house” by the RIBA jury, the design reflects nature’s ability to influence design.

2023 RIBA House of the Year Award: Hayhurst & Co.'s 'Green House' Wins Best Residential Design in the UK - Image 1 of 42023 RIBA House of the Year Award: Hayhurst & Co.'s 'Green House' Wins Best Residential Design in the UK - Image 2 of 42023 RIBA House of the Year Award: Hayhurst & Co.'s 'Green House' Wins Best Residential Design in the UK - Image 3 of 42023 RIBA House of the Year Award: Hayhurst & Co.'s 'Green House' Wins Best Residential Design in the UK - Image 4 of 42023 RIBA House of the Year Award: Hayhurst & Co.'s 'Green House' Wins Best Residential Design in the UK - More Images

Sound Off, Color On: 4 Creative Ways to Integrate Colorful Acoustic Panels in Interiors

 | Sponsored Content

There’s something about the saturated hues of blossoming springtime flowers and the fiery, warm tones of a sunset descending upon a cityscape that brings us joy. Humans crave color. In fact, we’ve been fascinated by them since the beginning of our existence. So much so that everything from the color of our clothes to the brightly illuminated pixels on this screen is an attempt to recreate –and enhance– the vibrant shades present in nature, finding in them a source of inspiration and vitality. Our brains are wired to link colors with sensations and experiences: the lush greens of a forest evoke feelings of tranquility and renewal, while the deep blues of the ocean stir a sense of mystery and adventure. It is this ability to elicit emotion that makes colors an invaluable tool for architects and designers –and which also explains why trends are moving away from the once-reigning neutral minimalism towards a more maximalist aesthetic that embraces pops of color, dimension and playful texture.  

Sound Off, Color On: 4 Creative Ways to Integrate Colorful Acoustic Panels in Interiors - Image 1 of 4Sound Off, Color On: 4 Creative Ways to Integrate Colorful Acoustic Panels in Interiors - Image 2 of 4Sound Off, Color On: 4 Creative Ways to Integrate Colorful Acoustic Panels in Interiors - Image 3 of 4Sound Off, Color On: 4 Creative Ways to Integrate Colorful Acoustic Panels in Interiors - Image 4 of 4Sound Off, Color On: 4 Creative Ways to Integrate Colorful Acoustic Panels in Interiors - More Images+ 15

Making the Economic Case for Biophilic Design

This article was originally published on Common Edge.

A simple walk in the park will relax even the most tightly wound individual. But what about the places where people spend far more of their time, such as schools, office buildings, and hospitals? What role can design play in incorporating nature into those environments? And at what additional cost? Bill Browning has published a book—The Economics of Biophilia: Why Designing With Nature in Mind Makes Financial Sense, 2nd Edition (written with Catie Ryan and Dakota Walker)—arguing that the cost of bringing nature into building projects isn't prohibitive but additive. An environmental strategist with a long history in green building, Browning is one of the founding partners (with architects Bob Fox and Rick Cook) of the sustainable design consultancy Terrapin Bright Green. Recently I talked with Browning about biophilic design—and, because he was a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council's board of directors, about the strengths and shortcomings of the LEED rating system.

Making the Economic Case for Biophilic Design - Image 1 of 4Making the Economic Case for Biophilic Design - Image 2 of 4Making the Economic Case for Biophilic Design - Image 3 of 4Making the Economic Case for Biophilic Design - Image 4 of 4Making the Economic Case for Biophilic Design - More Images

Rewilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples

In an age where humanity's detrimental impact on the environment has become increasingly evident, the concept of rewilding is emerging as a powerful approach to conservation and ecological restoration. In line with growing attention on landscape architecture in recent years, the idea of removing human intervention from our natural surroundings in order to restore a stable equilibrium seems to offer a low-effort, ethereal way to right fundamental climate wrongs. But is a lack of meddling in nature really all there is to rewilding, and how does this relate to architecture and design? We look at key concepts, applications, and examples to find out.

Rewilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples - Image 1 of 4Rewilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples - Image 2 of 4Rewilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples - Image 3 of 4Rewilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples - Image 4 of 4Rewilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples - More Images+ 3