Biophilic design is an architectural strategy to link people more closely to nature. Biophilic design principles are well recognized, but our principal focus here is a somewhat less explored dimension: the intersection of biophilic design with cultural sensitivity. In this rapidly globalizing world, solutions in design cannot be one-size-fits-all. Rather, they must be nuanced and sensitive to the history, traditions, and cultural leanings of the people they’ve been fashioned for. We will explore in these pages how melding biophilic design with cultural sensitivity makes spaces more aesthetically pleasing and translates them into microcosms of their greater macrocultural environs.
Such an ingrained design concept as the biophilic design requires careful consideration of how cultures in various regions interact with their environment. Cultural sensitivity ranges from the appreciation of proper color and material to profound subliminal spatial configurations that respect traditional cultural practice. It isn’t just about political correctness; it operates on a plane closer to emotional resonance—a sense of recognition and respect for the community’s unique relationship to nature.
Case Study: Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay
For Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, it is not just trying to bring nature into an urban setting. It also captures elements that deeply resonate with Singapore’s multicultural identity. A city-state with Chinese, Indian, Malay, and several other ethnic influences, Singapore’s identity is complex and layered. Gardens by the Bay reflects this multifaceted identity through its integration of a range of flora perfectly suited for a tropical climate but also culturally significant for its many inhabitants.
Architects involved in this project included culturally significant plants such as the Banyan tree and orchids, which resonate with local myths and legends. Beyond flora, the layout of the gardens itself – spaces for communal gatherings, walking paths, and water features – draws from a multitude of traditional and modern landscape designs. This resonates with Singapore’s modern urban ethos and its deep cultural layers. By aligning biophilic elements with local culture, Gardens by the Bay has become more than a green space; it’s a space of collective cultural identity.
Cultural Traditions and Natural Elements
One must understand that there are various interpretations of “nature” from culture to culture. In some cultures, the ocean might be a holy land; in others, it’s a mountain or even just a tree. These are more than mere stylistic decisions: these perceptions are ingrained and shape how people from those cultures interact with biophilic designs. With this knowledge in mind, designers can design spaces that facilitate this deeper interaction with nature.
Example: Native American-Inspired Spaces
Thus, let’s see what designs get inspired by Native American culture. A lot of the native communities have a very intricate connection with the land, sky, and water bodies around them. The Medicine Wheel is a symbol used in some tribes, for example, to represent life being interconnected. Modern design projects based on Native American culture, such as wellness centers or cultural hubs, could integrate these elements thoughtfully. Architecture through natural stones, water flowing through spaces, and even spatial arrangement could be influenced by Native Americans to enhance biophilia.
The key here would be to respect and honor those traditions without commoditizing or caricaturizing them. That is where consulting community leaders or cultural experts can provide invaluable insights into this culturally rich biophilic space ranging from functional environments to educational hubs providing the wisdom of Native American connection with nature.
Strike that Balance: Modernity vs Tradition
There is much value in the integration of traditional elements within the fabric of biophilic design, but it is also important that we do exist within a contemporary context with its own needs and sensibilities. The challenge then becomes trying to strike some kind of balance between an alluring allure and wisdom of antiquity against the functional demands and aesthetic tenor of modern life. How do you build something sensitive to issues such as energy efficiency, universal accessibility, and technological integration while still showing respect for traditional cultural forms?
This balancing act will rarely—if ever—be easy, but it isn’t impossible either. It has everything to do with conceptualizing design as an oscillation between tradition and modernity, informing and illuminated by each other rather than presented as pastiche upon a pastiche of unrelated components.
Case Study: Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi
The dynamism of the Al Bahar Towers is perhaps a perfect example of this symbiotic relationship. Essentially, these pair of 29-story office buildings in Abu Dhabi are inspired by ‘mashrabiya,’ a traditional Islamic latticework design used to achieve privacy while allowing light and air to enter. The exemplary modern manifestation of biophilic principles and local craftsmanship, the Al Bahar Towers act as a practical medium for translating these concepts into workable solutions in the built environment.
Aesthetically rooted towards its cultural past but also carefully responding dynamically to the movement of the sun whilst minimizing heat gain and glare through its dynamic façade, natural lighting is abundant inside the towers; green spaces are strategically incorporated to enhance occupants’ well-being, which dovetails with both biophilic design principles and local values of hospitality and serenity. Here we see a marriage between cutting-edge technology and traditional Islamic architecture. The cultural relevance lends another layer of depth and richness to functionality, while the technological innovation adds a layer of modern relevance to a traditionally crafted element.
The other channel through which cultural sensitivity can enrich biophilic design is local. Local materials aren’t merely an ecological choice; they imbue a space with a sense of place, grounding it physically and culturally in the local landscape. More than that, engaging local artisans and craftsmen can contribute to the local economy and help keep traditional skills alive, creating a win-win situation for both sustainability and cultural preservation.
Example: Bamboo Structures in Indonesia
One compelling case of this is the bamboo structures of Indonesia, specifically the “Green School” in Bali. The school complex is constructed primarily from locally sourced bamboo, tying it both ecologically and culturally to its location. It wasn’t just that the material was local; Indonesian craftsmen were intimately involved in constructing it, using traditional techniques to create a structure that is at once innovative and grounded in local building traditions.
Multifunctional bamboo. It follows the principles of biophilic design to use natural materials and aligns with local culture, where bamboo has been a traditional building material for centuries. The project becomes more than an architectural wonder; it is a living testimony to Indonesian craftsmanship made possible by biophilic principles realized through cultural identity.
Through each one of these expansive sections, we’re building up a multidimensional narrative that goes beyond the simple ‘nature-loving’ aspect of biophilic design. We explore how it can be used as an artistic canvas in which cultural identity gets expressed contextually shaped by history enriched by local craftsmen.
Addressing Cultural Appropriation Concerns
As we integrate cultural elements into biophilic design, there is a fine line between cultural sensitivity and appropriation. This distinction is critically important but can be difficult to make at times. Cultural appropriation is defined as using elements from a culture without permission or understanding, often reducing them to stereotypes or commodities. On the other hand, cultural sensitivity involves a deep and respectful understanding of traditions and the meaning behind those elements.
Cultural sensitivity in biophilic design means that local communities are consulted with, exhaustive research is conducted, and then the cultural element in such a way that respects its significance. It’s not just about using symbols; it’s about history, nuance, place in time, and modern worlds.
Anecdote: Community Feedback on Hawaiian Resort Design
For instance, design concepts for a biophilic resort in Hawaii.
Some of the spaces were to include ‘Kapa’ patterns, which are one of the traditional Hawaiian patterns used in native Hawaiian cloth and have immense spiritual meaning to the people who traditionally wear them. These patterns – not just aesthetic elements but meaningful ones from deep within the culture and history of a people- meant something so much more than a surface decoration to members of this community who felt their use could be considered disrespectful.
In this case, after initial designs were presented to actual members of the community and responses indicated such use was inappropriate, the design team went back to the drawing board. They designed an alternative with different features, including using native plants chosen for their spiritual importance in traditional Hawaiian ceremonies or making handmade items reflecting local history, artistry, and values without commodifying them.
In this example, a lesson in the importance of community engagement is learned and applied. The resultant design wasn’t just respectful of local culture but contributed to the visitor’s experience through another layer of connection to the landscape and native Hawaiian culture.
As we near the end of such a far-ranging look at biophilic design as it intersects with cultural sensitivity, it becomes apparent they are more than complementary; they are interdependent dimensions that enhance each other. Creating spaces that merely appear or feel natural isn’t enough for a design to resonate deeply with its inhabitants. That design must be infused within the cultural, historical, and social fabric of its setting.
The realms of biophilic design and cultural sensitivity are not autonomous disciplines; rather, they are inherently interrelated. For each, the other adds richness or informs in deep ways. As I have illustrated through multiple case studies and examples, creating spaces that harmonize with nature yet resonate deeply with cultural traditions and values is possible. The symbiosis of biophilic design and cultural sensitivity offers an elevated experience for us as human beings—as much because this integration roots us both in our core love of nature and our unique identities as cultures.
The infusion of these two fields will not take place easily or quickly. It requires a very deep understanding of local traditions, careful research, and perhaps most importantly, conversations with communities who will interact with these spaces. This effort makes the result doubly worth it: a physically and emotionally sustainable space.
Additional Resources
There are a multitude of resources for those who want to dig deeper. Books like “Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life” give the scientific perspective, and documentaries such as “The Human Scale” explore how urban environments might be designed with humans in mind. Several organizations are leading the way in this multidisciplinary approach; the International Living Future Institute and the Biophilic Cities Network offer valuable insights and examples of projects that successfully marry biophilic design with cultural sensitivity.
To truly make the most of what biophilic design has to offer, designers, planners, and architects must begin to consider cultural sensitivity an integral part of their projects. After all, what better way to connect people with their environment than to honor both nature itself and the rich weave of human culture that interacts with it?
And so – biophilic design and cultural sensitivity. A look into how they not only co-exist, but thrive when integrated thoughtfully. A thorough examination of each through the lens of the other that opens up paths for design to not just be sustainable but soulful.
