biophilic moodboards: natural shapes
in biophilic moodboards
The natural world is drawn with curved lines and smooth corners. Unlike interiors and buildings, there are hardly any straight lines in nature.
With the aim to reconcile natural and man-made, biophilic design welcomes curved and organic forms in designed spaces, and it’s not just for an aesthetic reason…
the power of curved forms
Nature-inspired forms add a lot to the atmosphere of a space. Curves feel welcoming, soft and inviting. They add movement and liveliness, and they help the mind to pause. Nature’s shapes go hand-in-hand with rich textures, which will complement them for added warmth, dimension and an extra sensory element. Together, nature’s shapes and textures make what are called biomorphic forms and patterns in biophilic design terms.
In interiors and designed spaces, natural forms can be incorporated in many ways, from furniture to patterns…
structural elements
When empty, the majority of interior spaces look like boxes. Plain straight boxes with little life and interest. Adding curves is adding life and interest…
Internal partitions and structural elements can all incorporate nature-inspired forms; think of curved walls, arches and vaults, sinuous staircases. Used as space-defining details, curves can also introduce a mysterious feature, making the experience of the space more compelling. Or they can suggest a sense of refuge, creating comfortable shelters.
furnishings
Natural shapes can come in the form of furniture, lighting and all the non-structural elements that live in a space. These alone can add plenty of warmth to the atmosphere through rounded corners, organic shapes, and smooth lines. Curved forms can also suggest gathering, shaping how the space will be perceived and used.
All real natural elements will also introduce nature’s shapes. Think about water features or plants, with the many uses they can have in interiors and designed spaces.
patterns
Smooth corners, rounded shapes and sinuous lines can also be the foundation of a nature-inspired pattern. Wherever a pattern can be found (textiles, wallpapers, art…) is an opportunity to enrich the space with more references to the natural world, maybe even introducing the complexity of fractal patterns.
The spaces we design and live in on a daily basis are made of shapes. Which shapes we choose to use is not just a functional or aesthetic decision; it will influence the experience of the space, making it either more soothing or more intriguing, yet certainly more connected to the natural world we all come from and depend upon.
* Sources
- Joye, Y. (2007). Architectural Lessons From Environmental Psychology: The Case of Biophilic Architecture. Review of General Psychology, 11 (4), 305-328.
- The 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design is a framework conceptualized by Terrapin Bright Green
