Leveraging nature and natural resources for economic performance, people’s well-being and environmental sustainability should be a top priority.
Recently, we joined an inspiring discussion hosted by Lighthouse Sustainable Building Center where a multidisciplinary panel discussed the social, cultural and environmental impact that nature has in people’s overall well-being.
The morning started with a brief presentation by panelists, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, Ken Larsson, Kaitlyn Gillis, Emily Rugel, Mona Lemoine and Dr. David Fell, concepts such as biomimicry and biophilia were defined and exemplified with projects such as the Van Dusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre by Connect Landscape Architecture and the William Jefferson Clinton Children’s Center in Haiti by Mclennan Design.
Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies. The goal is to create products, processes, and policies—new ways of living—that are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul.
“Biomimicry is looking at nature as a technology” said, Mona Lemoine, McLennan Design.
“We have a unique connection with nature, our well being is dependent of nature” said, Biophilic design expert, Kaitlyn Gillis, BEng., MSc(Arch), MSc(Env Psyc), LEED AP, Project Manager at Light House Sustainable Building Centre.
“Designing With Nature”- with special guest, Cornelia Oberlander KEN LARSSON, BCSLA, CSLA, ASLA Principal Connect Landscape Architecture
Ten key lessons from the Nature, People and Design panel discussion
Natural materials plays an important role in regenerative design
Restorative environments have the ability to help the over all well-being of people
The more we connect with nature the more it becomes part of our identity
Restorative environments allow people to thrive
Environmental psychology and biophillic design is multiscensory because there are many aspects that influence people’s well-being
We have the responsibility to build better buildings, and consider people at the heart of any space
It’s about feeling good in our environment
Let’s capitalize in the effects of nature to affect our well-being
We need to put the numbers and research behind building more environmentally friendly spaces to justify the value of using natural building materials
Materials selection has broad and far-reaching impacts on design, construction, and occupancy in the built environment. Materials are a critical component to a built environment to promote health and happiness for all
Mona Lemoine, McLennan Design.
According to research , what are the benefits of building incorporating nature and using natural materials into design?
Health benefits
Lower stress levels
Recovery functions
Stimulates concentration, focus and creativity + productivity
Reduces apprehension stress
Significant improvements in the overall health
Physiological benefits
Noticeable reduction in attention deficit disorder symptoms
Improvement in mood
Higher levels of performance
Reduction of stress levels
What dose of nature do we need?
Nature is a buffer of the pollution that urban environments with high density produce
Nature can be an opportunity to be a therapy on itself
When choosing materials take quality into account
Creating high quality, well- used spaces where people is at the heart of it, requires interdisciplinary collaboration
EMILY RUGEL, PhD Candidate, BA, MPH, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
How can we work together as urban planners, architects, designers, and community to have a sustainable healthier future?
“We need to preserve every bit of nature in order to survive in our ever growing cities” said, Cornelia Oberlander, OC, FASLA, FCSLA, LMBCSLA, Landscape Architecture.
Cheaper building products can be toxic and harmful – things need to be scrutinize
Exchange information and evidence with [our city’s] policy makers to integrate nature more into our built environments and take more holistic approaches
Think of creative ways to include nature in our environments
Make environments more restorative and integrated with nature
On Social: At @lighthouse_sbc #naturepeopledesign What dose of nature do we need? at @billreidgallery #Vancouver #BeautifulBC @Light_HouseSBC @greenarchitek @mclennan_design @FPInnovations_f @ubcspph
