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Biophilic design: introducing social distancing in public spaces

in biophilic design

One of the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic is posing to spaces is the addition of physical distancing in public and communal environments. Social distancing features don’t have to feel constrictive or burdening. Instead, they can be designed to complement the atmosphere, making spaces more compelling, more intimate, or otherwise more fit for purpose.

What follows looks at the matter from a biophilic perspective, integrating physical separation in ways that feel good…

restaurants

In restaurants, social distancing features can help make the dining experience more intimate and private.

Room dividers, plants, structures that enclose individual tables… all physical distancing features can also enhance the sense of refuge and shape a comforting atmosphere.

Restaurant tables separated by tall planted dividers.
Credit: Design ATO Studio – Visualization: Kirill Vill
Restaurant tables separated by thick ropes hanging from the ceiling.
Credit: YOD Group – Ph: Andrey Avdeenko
Restaurant table enclosed in a rounded wood structure.
Credit: Molecule - Ph: Shannon McGrath

workplace

In the context of offices, social distancing features also contribute to the sense of refuge – here creating quiet areas to support concentration.

Diversifying the layout of workplaces with an alternation of individual workstations and open areas gives people the chance to choose the ambiance they need, on a scale from private to communal.

Working space unclosed within a slatted wood partition.
Credit: Filippo Bombace – Ph: Serena Eller Vainicher
Conversation area enclosed in a wooden curved structure.
Credit: Francesc Rifé Studio
Individual workstations separated with frosted glass panels.
Credit: RUST Architects

retail

Partitioning the space to regulate traffic in a retail environment can contribute to shaping a more intriguing experience.

It can create a sense of mystery, suggest a path to explore the space, or intentionally direct the attention.

Branch framing a store name.
Credit: Blackspace
Rocks in the middle of a store create a path that regulates traffic.
Credit: Stella McCartney – Ph: Hufton and Crow
Retail space with trees used as partitions.
Credit: Storey Studio – Ph: Inès Manai

outdoors

In outdoor spaces and urban parks, social distancing calls for paths to direct traffic as well as distanced seating.

Meandering mysterious pathways, playful apparent risk elements, secluded refuge alcoves all complement the atmosphere, making the space more interesting, compelling, as well as more liveable for everyone.

Public space with planters defining distanced seating.
Credit: Mariñas Arquitectos Asociados
Meandering path directing traffic in a public park.
Credit: Clark College (via Flickr)
Stone path over a river.
Credit: Buro Sant en Co

As a whole, social distancing features can complement the atmosphere of a space and introduce elements of interest, comfort, and liveability that improve the experience, making it overall more nourishing.