Corten & Larch Studio

Kings Willow

BIOPHILIC ARCHITECTURE AND “BOOTILITIES”: THE TRENDS WE ARE SEEING IN 2022!

It’s been an interesting couple of years in residential architecture and design.  Brexit, the economy, the global pandemic, the energy crisis and now the terrible troubles in Ukraine have all had a significant bearing on our own domestic lives.  In our work here at The English Listed, we are lucky enough to hear about how our clients have reacted to these influences, and how that has had a bearing on how they  ‘live’ their homes, their necessities, their wishlists and everything in between!  Whether it means now working from home and the need for office space, seeking more room because (adult) children have returned to the fold – or just wanting to create a home that fulfils its potential and brings better well-being to their lives, be it a quiet spot to read, or a dedicated space for a much-loved hobby, we relish playing our part in making things better!

The following trends really stand out for us though and are regularly on our clients ‘must-haves’ when extending their homes or improving the spatial flow within.

 

Biophilic Homes

Here at The English Listed, we have long extolled the virtue of surrounding oneself with nature and using sustainable natural materials in the home wherever possible, but ‘biophilic design’ is very much the new buzzword in architecture and interiors.  Biophilic is defined by the dictionary as “of, relating to, or characterized by biophilia : relating to, showing, or being the human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature”, but what is ‘Biophilic Design’? Biophilic design is a method used within the built environment industry to increase occupant connection to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature and place conditions, which, as examples, could involve using more natural light, increased ventilation, incorporating water into the design or ensuring that plants are designed into the scheme.

During the pandemic, we realised the importance of being in nature and the great outdoors for our wellbeing so it goes without saying that in these troubled times, seeking solace in nature and experiencing the well-being that comes from incorporating direct elements of nature into building environments can reduce stress, blood pressure and heart rates of occupants whilst also increasing productivity, creativity and well-being.

Employing this principal, we have recently completed a project for a Cambridgeshire-based client where huge glazed trapezoid windows, skylights and a fully glazed rood structure flood the building with light.  560 plants were incorporated into the exterior of the structure to form a living wall to complement the woodland site the new building sits within.

01480 301600 or drop us a line at info@englishlisted.com.