Biophilic Design: Creating Harmonious Spaces
Spatial design has increasingly become a focal point for me, especially as I curate the space for my forthcoming exhibition, ‘Here Comes the Sun’. By accident, I’ve put as much time, creativity, and care into the overall space as the art itself. Each detail is equally important; there is no hierarchy to the paintings themselves. It’s been fascinating to learn more about feng shui and biophilic design, and I want to share and introduce these concepts to those new to them.
Biophilic design is an innovative approach that integrates natural elements into built environments, fostering a connection between people and nature. It’s based on the idea that humans have an innate affinity for nature, known as “biophilia,” which translates to “love of life” or “love of living things.” Incorporating natural elements into our living spaces can enhance well-being, creativity, and productivity.
I was drawn to these concepts long before I knew they had a name. Biophilic design principles resonate deeply with my personal and artistic philosophy, influencing my work at Samu Studio. By incorporating natural materials, organic shapes, and elements that mimic the natural environment, I aim to create spaces that feel alive and nurturing.
Feng Shui, originating from ancient Chinese philosophy, translates to “wind and water.” It is a practice that involves arranging living spaces to achieve harmony and balance with the natural world. Feng Shui focuses on energy flow (or “chi”) through space to enhance prosperity, health, and well-being. Central to Feng Shui is the Bagua Map, which maps out different areas of life and their corresponding physical spaces, the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) that need to be balanced, and the concept of Yin and Yang, which emphasises the balance between opposites like light and dark, and soft and hard.
Feng Shui and biophilic design share common goals and principles despite their different origins. Both emphasise integrating nature into living spaces, creating environments promoting health and well-being, positive energy through the flow, and thoughtful spatial arrangement. However, their approaches differ: Feng Shui is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy and involves specific spatial arrangements and symbolic elements, while biophilic design is based on modern understandings of human biology and psychology, focusing primarily on incorporating natural materials and light.
Inspired by biophilic design’s transformative power, I will adopt these principles into the curated Samu Studio living space at my debut exhibition and collection launch, ‘Here Comes the Sun.’ This space will showcase how art and design can seamlessly blend with nature to create aesthetically pleasing, restorative, and life-enhancing environments. Expect to see sustainable materials like mycelium and hemp, organic shapes reflecting natural landscapes, spaces maximising natural light, live plants purifying the air, and textures and patterns evoking the outdoors. I aim to foster a deeper connection to nature within urban environments by embedding these elements into my work, promoting peace, wellness, and harmony.
Combining Feng Shui and biophilic design can lead to enriched living environments. For instance, you can balance the five elements of Feng Shui using natural materials and light per biophilic principles. By following Feng Shui guidelines for lighting placement to enhance chi flow and maximise natural light, you can create vibrant and harmonious spaces. Incorporating live plants, arranged according to Feng Shui principles, can purify the air and add a touch of nature indoors.
Join me at the ‘Here Comes the Sun’ exhibition to experience the impact of these design principles firsthand. Explore how these ideas are woven into my sculptures and the overall living space, creating a unique blend of art and nature that brings positive energy and vitality to any environment.