Pick the Right Stone for your Biophilic Design

Pick the Right Stone for you Biophilic Design

On lockdown through the pandemic, we learned how therapeutic the outdoors is to our mental and physical health. If you have ever enjoyed the warm sunshine rays on your face or gotten lost looking at leaves on a tree, you have felt the joys of a biophilic design.  The desire to connect with nature is written in our DNA.

Real estate listings tout biophilic features such as ocean breezes, lake views, mountain air or wooded lot, since these features command a premium price.

What is Biophilic Design?

The term ‘biophilia’ translates to ‘the love of living things’ in ancient Greek(philia = the love of / inclination toward).  Biophilic design aims to create a space in harmony with nature. The strategy is to bring characteristics of nature into built spaces. It uses materials, decor and design to help bridge the gap between people and the natural environment. 

Design features include large windows with exposure to soothing natural light and views of nature.  Doors that open to a sprawling patio. Fountains with the sound of running water and stone statement walls create a warm space and evoke a sense of tranquillity in the places where we spend most of our time. The use of botanical shapes and forms instead of straight lines is a characteristic of biophilic designs.

Creating multi-sensory experiences in interior design resonates across all ages and demographics. These elements allow people to feel connected to the outdoors even though they are indoors.

Health Benefits

Studies show that natural environments can boost a mood, lower blood pressure, encourage healthy sleep patterns, and decrease heart rate. It also increases creativity and productivity while supporting cognitive functions. Beyond these benefits, biophilic designs reduce stress and can expedite healing.

Natural space in cities also helps to improve cities’ sustainability. It provides free environmental benefits like clean air and water, and natural shade. On buildings, vegetation can help to regulate temperature and air quality and reduce the building’s climate footprint.

Cultured Stone in Biophilic Designs

Retreat spas often incorporate stone and wood on their walls because of the calming effect of nature inspired textures.  This same design can be created in corporate offices and homes using cultured stone.  Cultured stone offers unique, nature inspired textures and earth tones.

Stone is one of the world’s most enduring building materials. Manufactured stone, offers lighter, thinner, and more diverse interpretations of natural surfaces than almost any other material. It’s nature-inspired color palettes and textures creates a beautiful aesthetic.

To add depth to the room, consider creating a contrast in colors and seek a variety of shapes and sizes.  For example, a limestone selection with a broad face that is grouted could pair with a tall thin-leafed green plant near the view of a window or door. 

Cultured stone fireplace flanked with large windows, wood floors and sliding doors open to the outside patio help create a biophilic design.

Take it Outside

Biophilic design is not just for the interior.  It’s important to extend this design to exterior elements. An expansive terrace or pergola with natural vine growth or window boxes with flowers will increase curb appeal. Landscaping with native trees and cultured stone on retaining walls, outside fireplaces, kitchens, and columns on arches will dress up the view.

Biophilic design can be included in different home and office styles. 

For example, if you choose a modern style with bright and clean lines, select a sleek stone profile in a light color and add plants.  If your taste is more traditional, select a Classic Ledgestone with a variety of larger and smaller stones.  For a  rustic style, select a Shadow Ledgestone, which offers a rugged, deep ridge look.

Stack-A-Stone offers many profile shapes and colors.  Our coloring dye is integrated throughout the stone unlike most manufacturing processes.  We offer color customization to meet the unique needs of your project. 

Select an architectural stone that suits your style to begin your biophilic design and celebrate how you live, work and learn with nature.

An exterior cultured stone fireplace and retaining wall visable from interior spaces help create a biophilic design.