John Gabriele encourages others to embrace biophilic design, and on a grand scale.
We have all heard it before: ‘sustainability’.
It’s the buzzword that has been largely overused in many sectors to emphasise the green credentials of governments, local councils, multi-national companies and sole traders.
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Unfortunately, the word has become just another catchphrase and lost a lot of the power it rightly deserves in driving social, economic, and environmental change.
How does something so important to all of us caring for our local environment – and to a greater extent the entire planet – become so passé?
The answer may very well lie in our relationship with both the natural and built environments with which we interact daily.
Co-operation
Urban development is undoubtedly a necessity with population growth, and the need for housing steadily increases in line with that growth. Both greenfield sites and redevelopment of existing urban areas require careful planning and consideration, both of the environment and how the sites will impact the broader environment for years to come. A future focus is necessary, and landscape design should be the first consideration in urban design, not just an add on. Our connection to the land and environment is a primeval force that needs to be sustained to ensure continual physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Governments and developers should prioritise people over profit, not chase profit at all costs. Urban designer Jan Gehl sums it up beautifully. Gehl emphasises that the urban landscape should be experienced through the five human senses and at the speed of walking. He believes urban development should prioritise landscape design to ensure physical and mental wellbeing. Gehl’s philosophy is encapsulated in his statement: “First life, then spaces, then buildings: the other way around never works.”
This approach to planning on a human scale is the foundation on which all landscape design and construction should be initiated. The philosophy is based on biophilic design – where we can have a direct connection with nature through the built environment.
On the grand scale, we need collaboration between peak community and industry organisations and governments at all levels. The organisations need to commit to best-practice urban design and development of quality living spaces in Australia that embrace the philosophy of biophilic design – a biophilic future.
Simple, really
Biophilic design and a biophilic future might sound complicated, but it’s something landscape designers can achieve.
But first, what exactly is biophilic design?
Simply put, it’s the concept of increasing our connectivity to nature through architecture.
There really is nothing new about this concept, but since the term ‘biophilia’ was first used in the 1980s to describe our connection to nature and a deep biological desire to engage with life, particularly plants, it has become increasing popular. The importance nature plays in our daily life and mental health and well-being cannot be overstated. Biophilic design can create an environment in which we can easily connect with nature through introducing nature into our living spaces. The simplest way to achieve this is through indoor plants. Our homes and offices can provide us with a stimulating green environment, giving us an opportunity to enjoy the benefits only the plant kingdom can provide, creating a nurturing, peaceful place.
Connectivity
Biophilic design can, and is, however, so much more than just an arrangement of a few plants.
An even deeper connection to nature can be achieved by creating a natural and seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor living areas of the home and commercial precincts. Opening doors and windows to outdoor spaces and integrating similar materials, such as furnishings and floor coverings, across both areas, will give the impression of connectivity. This is one reason why modern home architecture includes alfresco areas.
The types of furnishings and materials of the exterior/interior environment also play a significant role in biophilic design. Emphasis is placed on the use of natural products – such as things of stone and wood. Even soft furnishings, ornaments, statues, water features, textile patterns and artwork can bring a sense of biophilia to any space, indoors and out.
Through using natural light, natural materials, shapes, colours and vegetation, a true sense of connection at an emotional level can be achieved.
The trick with any good design, including biophilic design, is to not overdo things. More is not always best, and the introduction of plants into an interior environment to achieve a sense of biophilia can be accomplished with even a small selection of plants of varying heights, colours and textures. Don’t be afraid to experiment with plant species and arrangements. The aim is to enjoy the nature of the space, no matter how big or small that space might be.
Joining the dots
Landscape contractors and designers need to work collaboratively with architects and planners to contribute towards sustainability initiatives and shape the future of urban development. That collaboration will make our urban landscapes better places to work, live and play.
There are many organisations currently working towards achieving these goals.
For instance, the City of Melbourne has designed a green-infrastructure tool to improve the quality and quantity of green roofs and vertical gardens. The tool aims to help design buildings that deliver benefits in nature-related areas – areas such as biodiversity and habitat provision, stormwater reduction and urban heatisland- effect reduction. In addition, the development of an urban forest strategy to address low tree-canopy coverage in the town of Victoria Park includes the delivery of street trees, green basins, tree and shrub plantings on public land, free trees and shrubs for private properties and so forth. Other councils have urban ecology strategic plans which aim to improve native vegetation and bushland, outcomes for local fauna species and reconnecting habitats across LGAs. These plans are implemented in the built environment through actions such as planning controls and ecological assessments.
Strategies such as these are being replicated by governments at all levels across Australia, and the landscape industry is deeply involved.
roofs and vertical gardens. Image: LAYHONG/stock.adobe.com
The future
In the Building with Nature Discussion Paper 2018 commissioned by the Green Building Council Australia, five principles that underpin the GBCA’s approach to biodiversity and ecology and the broader built environment were identified. These principles can form a foundation for all landscape contractors to work towards improving environmental stewardship across the sector.
Building with Nature Principles (Building with Nature Discussion Paper 2018) include:
• Protecting ecological value by encouraging development on land of limited value
• Minimising ecological impact by reducing the impact on on-site ecology and biodiversity during and after construction
• Enhancing ecological value and biodiversity by improving the site as a first priority, and only then should off-site ecology be considered. This key principle will achieve gains in ecological value
• Connecting ecological networks by linking or maintaining connections between native or built landscape corridors, and
• Creating and managing on-site and off-site natural spaces by constructing new natural environments within the built environment and encouraging the maintenance of enhancements on-site and off-site.
The future of landscaping is all about creating spaces that connect people to nature and enhancing the environmental performance of the overall space. Whether it’s a small inner-city courtyard or a sprawling country estate, landscapes need to be sustainable, functional, beautiful, and resilient. Designs will undoubtedly adapt to the changing environment, and the key for landscape designers and contractors is to find the best in every change.
