Harleen Mclean Biophillic

Discover Everything You Want To Know About Biophilia! FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD

+44 (0) 7885 720 377

+1202 855 2244

harleen@harleenmclean.com

Enhancing Your Sensorial Experience

“A piece of land – not so very big, with a garden and, near the house, a spring that never fails, and a bit of wood to round it off.’’

This quote was written more than 2000 years ago by the Roman poet Horace. It is easy to understand the emotion prompting them; we still recognise what Horace meant by a rural garden, a place to take refuge, from the irritations of city life.

Unleash the power of nature for your well-being! Discover the healing bond between humans and nature with our scientific and spiritual approach. Let us create personal sanctuaries for you with gardens, springs, and woods that bring you back to your roots. Rediscover the tranquility and rejuvenation that nature offers with us.

What Is Biophilia?

The concept of Biophilia stems from human beings’ innate, genetically-based desire to connect with nature, a need established by our evolution in close proximity to the natural world. As our impact on the environment becomes increasingly concerning, the relevance of Biophilia in the modern world has grown. Architects and designers have taken notice, resulting in the emergence of the Biophilic Design movement. Learn more about Biophilia and its impact on design and sustainability at

Optional link: https://www.biophiliccities.org/our-vision

What Is Biophilic Engagement?

Biophilic engagement pertains to our interactions and relationships with the beneficial and enjoyable aspects of nature. Despite the increasing disconnect between humans and the natural world, our genetic makeup predisposes us to seek out and appreciate nature. However, a lack of biophilic engagement has been associated with developmental deficiencies and psycho-physiological issues. Conversely, increasing our biophilic engagement has been shown to have numerous benefits for both the mind and body.

Optional link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204615000286

Living the Biophilic Way?

By increasing conscious engagement and contact with nature, our love for and appreciation of nature is enlivened. Enlivened biophilia strengthens the bond with nature that we developed over the eons of human evolution. Personal identification with nature promotes our psycho-physiological fitness and well-being. When we find refreshment from a walk in nature, we are experiencing the effects of biophilic enlivenment.

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What Are The Benefits Of Enlivening Biophilia?

Research conducted in many fields over the last several decades has shown that biophilic engagement has significant effects on mind, body, behavior and social interaction.

Specifically, research on nature and health has established that natural daylight and views to nature improve the comfort and healing of patients in healthcare settings. Enlivening Biophilia is a positive feedback dynamic. When we experience the benefits of engagement with nature – alleviation of stress, increased sociability, greater problem solving abilities, improved measures of physiological stability and health, etc. – we tend to further increase our contact with nature, which in turn increases the benefits gained from those experiences. Because people care for whatever we appreciate and love, and because enlivening Biophilia cultivates a greater appreciation and love for nature and life, enlivening Biophilia promotes appreciation and protection of nature.

Benefits of Biophilia Design

  • Reduced employee absenteeism.
  • Improved health
  • Increased mood and feeling of well-being
  • Improved productivity
  • Increased employee engagement
  • Reduced stress levels
  • Mental restoration & reduced fatigue

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What We Aim To Create

  1. Visual Connection – View of natural elements from within the biophillic . 
  2. Non Visual Connection with Nature – Interaction with nature through other senses including touch, sound, taste & smell.
  3. Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli – Unpredictable and non- repetitive movements that happen like birds chirping.
  4. Thermal & Airflow Variability – Variability in air temperature and flow, changes over time that recall the natural cycle of day & night.
  5. Presence of Water – Water as an essential design feature.
  6. Dynamic & Diffuse – Light Varying Light intensities and light changes over time that recall the natural cycle of day and night.
  7. Connect with Natural Systems- Awareness of seasonal & temporal changes
  8. Biomorphic Forms & Patterns – Nature inspired textures, shapes & patterns
  9. Material Connection with Nature- Natural materials & elements that reflect the local environment in terms of ecology or geology
  10. Complexity & Order- Rich Sensory information recalling natural spatial hierarchys

Transform Your Workspace

Office design: productivity can be increased by 8%, rates of well-being up by 13%, increases in creativity, with reduced absenteeism and clarity of focus. Office work often involves carrying out repetitive tasks which can be energy intensive, and over time can result in mental fatigue. Our emotionally intelligent designs respond with solutions for aural, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circadian systems and overall physical comfort. Staff morale, productivity, and wellbeing are increased.

Transform Your Living Space

Homes become calming & restorative. Areas with access to nature show a 7-8 % reduction in crime, and an increase in property values.

If your work life is stressful, then your home or living space must counter this by being a sanctuary for emotional restoration. Our design for a better living space shows marked decreases in

  • Tension
  •  Anxiety
  •  Anger
  •  Fatigue
  •  Confusion
  •  Mood fluctuations
We welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with you and explore what we can create together to transform your environment through biophilia design.