A biophilic year: a look inside the creative process
Introducing my book: A Biophilic Year: 365 thoughts on the essence and practice of biophilic design.
What follows is a journey behind the scenes of A Biophilic Year, with a look into the creative process and an overview of the editorial project…
the structure: thought-provoking inspiration
Through 365 aphorisms, A Biophilic Year explores the essence of biophilic thinking, looking into its connections with sustainability, interior design and architecture, urban planning, and the way in which we see the world as a whole.
This is a book that requires engagement from the reader’s perspective. It’s not only about reading; it’s about reflecting, unveiling new ways to bring nature in designed spaces and designed spaces close to nature.
The choice of aphorisms comes from the book’s thought-provoking intent: sometimes a concise sentence is more powerful than long pages of words. The beauty of aphorisms is that reading the same words at different times often yields a different thought, and two people reading the same words could come up with different ideas. This is the strength of this book: being a guide that leaves space for imagination and interpretation, setting a direction for creative thinking to unfold.
the content: a flowing journey
The journey unfolds across 4 states:
Connection. Chapter 1 looks into the nuanced relationship between people and nature, exploring its intriguing complexity.
Perspective. Chapter 2 shifts the focus to designed spaces, looking into their impact on wellbeing as well as their role in restoring a deep and balanced relationship with the natural world.
Experience. Chapter 3 looks into biophilic design insights, translating the essence of biophilic thinking into design solutions.
Integration. Chapter 4 ventures into the realm of urban environments, looking into the potential of biophilic thinking and design in the development of better cities for people and nature.
The journey continues online in a dedicated and reserved blog area that extends the books’ physical pages into digital ones, providing additional insights and visual inspiration.
the graphic project: intentional simplicity
A Biophilic Year has an intentionally minimal layout, with abundant negative space mirroring the mental space for reflection the book seeks to create. The cover introduces a hint of colour – a soothing green – while drawing attention to the delicate and infinitely elegant details of a fern leaf.
a new take on display books
I believe display books shouldn’t only provide aesthetics, but also meaning to those who see them every day. A Biophilic Year seeks to be this kind of display book.
When closed, the fern leaf portrays the beauty of the natural world. Inside, every page provides a hint of inspiration. Displaying the book open on a particular page is a way to fix a thought and bring it back to mind at every glance.
