A Study on Improving Health in the Build Environments

For the past few months we have been hosting “Friday Office Presentations” on a variety of the subjects revolving around architecture. The presenters are members of the Fox team who want to share interesting architectural trends with the rest of the office. This past Friday’s presentation was focused on a study performed by Terrapin Bright Green entitled 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design – Improving health and well-being in the built environment.

Terrapin Bright Green is a team of researchers that collaborates with organizations to challenge assumptions and develop solutions that lead to improved environmental and financial performance; information that we as architects can point to when the client is looking for scientific evidence to support our design ideas. The study is particularly interesting because it’s focused on outlining criteria for ways to improve the health of building occupants.  A Link to the Terrapin Bright Green website is listed below where you can read the entire study.

http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/

http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/14-patterns/

After reviewing the patterns identified in the mentioned study we have realized that we have been using similar design principles in all of our designs long before the study was published.

Here are some examples:

We strive to create environments with exterior views and a strong connection with nature. (Terrapin Bright Green – pattern No. 1.)

We work closely with our consultants to create thermally comfortable environments. Furthermore we incorporate operable windows to create airflow variability.
(Terrapin Bright Green – Pattern No. 4.)

We utilize use of natural and sustainable materials (Terrapin Bright Green Pattern No. 9)

Based on client needs we strive to create open and freeing environments. (Terrapin Bright Green Pattern No. 11)

In large and open spaces we like to create out break out areas. These breakout spaces serve as areas of withdrawal from the main space. (Terrapin Bright Green Pattern No.12)

We try to incorporate a certain level of mystery in our designs which evokes interest and draws building occupants further into the space. (Terrapin Bright Green Pattern No.13)

Adnan