Living with Nature: Incorporating natural patterns, light and space
In this third article in our biophilic design series, we focus on natural patterns, processes, light and space: essential elements in creating a rich and nurturing home environment.
When thoughtfully integrated, these elements can infuse homes with a sense of vitality that echoes the complexity and beauty of the natural world, positively influencing occupants’ mood, productivity, and overall wellbeing.
NATURE’S GEOMETRY
Nature is filled with geometric patterns that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Hexagons, for instance, showcase nature’s drive for optimisation, as seen in beehives where this shape maximises storage space while minimising material use. Similarly, the precise mathematical sequence of Fibonacci spirals found in sunflowers and pine cones allow these forms to grow efficiently while distributing seeds with minimal overlap. Snowflakes, with their six-fold symmetry, and crystal formations also demonstrate nature’s ability to form complex yet orderly structures.
Such patterns resonate with us on a deep, instinctive level. One theory suggests that our ancestors relied on recognising these patterns to navigate their environment, using them to predict seasonal changes, anticipate weather, and locate food sources. The forms that shaped our evolution can still evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity today.
Among the most striking natural geometric forms are fractals – intricate, self-replicating patterns that appear at every scale, from the branching of trees and rivers to the veins in leaves and even the structure of our lungs. Fractals represent nature’s complexity, with repeating patterns that maintain balance and order. Research suggests that exposure to fractal patterns can reduce stress as our brains are attuned to processing these complex shapes, fostering visual comfort and ease.
Incorporating these natural geometries into our homes subtly connects us to the natural world around us. It can start with architectural features such as fractal-inspired or hexagonal tiles or flooring designs that create a dynamic visual effect, guiding movement through a space. Fractals, hexagons and other geometric shapes can also be introduced through textiles, wallpaper or artwork, further enhancing the calming, restorative atmosphere of a room.
SENSORY AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY
Sensory variability involves creating rich, diverse sensory experiences within a space that mirror the complexity of the natural world. The dynamic interplay of sensory elements – textures, colours, sounds, and lighting – can bring a space to life, making it feel vibrant and engaging while also offering moments of calm.
One way to achieve this is by combining materials in unexpected ways. For example, the cool, smooth texture of a terrazzo floor can be contrasted with the organic warmth of a plush wool rug. In the bathroom, the rugged texture of a rough-hewn stone basin could pair beautifully with the smooth, matte finish of handmade ceramic tiles. These tactile contrasts invite touch, forging a sensory connection that extends beyond the visual and enhances the overall experience of the space.
Blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces can further amplify sensory variability. Engaging with the natural environment and its shifting weather, sounds and scents adds depth to the sensory experience. For example, the earthy scent of rain (known as petrichor) or the sound of birdsong drifting through an open window can bring the calming essence of nature into the home.
Semi-indoor, semi-outdoor spaces such as verandahs, patios and sunrooms can add interesting spatial variation to a home. These transitional spaces allow easy interaction with sensory elements like the feel of a cool breeze, the sound of rustling leaves, or the sight of changing light throughout the day.
By thoughtfully layering sensory and spatial experiences, home environments can become deeply engaging, creating spaces that stimulate the senses while offering opportunities for mental restoration.
PATINA AND AGEING
Patina refers to the natural ageing process that materials undergo over time, resulting in distinctive surface textures and colourations that enhance their character and appeal. This concept celebrates the beauty of materials that evolve gracefully, developing unique qualities through wear and use. To embrace patina in home design, incorporate natural materials like wood, stone, and metal, which gain richness and depth as they age. Copper fixtures and cladding, for example, develop verdigris, a distinctive green patina, through the natural process of oxidisation, while wooden floors acquire warmth and character with each passing year. These elements not only add aesthetic depth but also tell a story of time and use, imbuing a space with meaning and a sense of history.
Embracing the natural ageing of materials also promotes sustainability by placing value on items that endure and evolve, rather than those that require frequent replacement. This approach fosters a deeper connection to both nature and the passage of time, encouraging a mindset of care and stewardship for our built environments.
NATURAL LIGHT
Natural light is a key element of biophilic design, supporting health by regulating circadian rhythms, enhancing mood, and helping to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Beyond its health benefits, light also shapes how we perceive space, making rooms feel open and expansive or cosy and intimate depending on its application.
Incorporating natural light into home design goes beyond simply adding windows; it's about capturing the dynamic quality of light found in nature. Pergolas, slatted screens, and tree canopies outside windows can create dappled light that shifts throughout the day, adding a sense of rhythm and life to a space. Reflective surfaces like water features or strategically placed mirrors can bounce light deeper into a room, brightening it in a way that feels natural rather than harsh.
When it comes to artificial light, layering ambient, task, and accent lighting mimics the variability of natural light. The colour temperature is important, with cooler light replicating the crispness of morning and warm-toned light evoking the golden hues of late afternoon. By using a mix of cool and warm light throughout the home, based on each room’s function and time of greatest use, you can mirror the natural transition of daylight, establishing a rhythm that aligns with the body’s natural cycles.
CREATING A NATURE-CONNECTED SANCTUARY
By embracing natural patterns, processes, light, and space in home design, we can create environments that are visually appealing and deeply connected to the natural world. Thoughtfully integrating these biophilic elements fosters a dynamic and sensory-rich atmosphere that promotes wellbeing, enhances mood, and nurtures both body and mind. Whether through the geometry of nature, the layering of sensory experiences, or the careful consideration of light and materials, these principles invite a deeper connection to our surroundings and a more harmonious, health-promoting way of living.
CASE STUDY: CANOPY HOUSE
Designed by Brett Hulley Architecture, the Canopy House in Whangārei, New Zealand, beautifully demonstrates how the biophilic elements of natural patterns, light, and space can be integrated to foster a deep connection with the natural world. The home features a simple floor plan, with living spaces on the northern side and private spaces on the southern side, connected by a large covered deck. This layout encourages year-round outdoor living and daily interaction with nature.
The house incorporates natural patterns and processes through its use of materials harvested from the surrounding forest. Whole logs, natural-edge slabs, and rough-sawn timber bring the organic forms and textures of the outdoors inside. Hexagonal patterns in the flooring and decking are a reference to nature’s geometry. On the northern deck, two of the angles of the hexagon align perfectly with the locations of sunrise at summer and winter solstice, acting as a seasonal sundial for people using the space. Extending this connection to nature, an outdoor shower and laundry area are situated on a separate hexagonal deck in the forest, a short walk from the main house.
Light and space are skilfully used. Large windows and sliding doors in the kitchen and living areas flood the home with natural light, offering a sense of openness and connection to the forest canopy. In contrast, the bedrooms provide a more enclosed, cosy atmosphere. The covered deck between the living and sleeping wings serves as an interstitial space, enhancing the home’s dynamic relationship with the outdoor environment and allowing the family to engage with natural shifts in light, sounds and weather.
Designer: Brett Hulley Architecture
Location: Whangarei, New Zealand
Photography: Brett Hulley
Above: Case study, Canopy House by Brett Hulley Architecture. Sensory variety is an important element of biophilic design. Here, it’s achieved through the juxtaposition of a smooth vitreous china basin, a raw-edged timber benchtop and a natural log column in the bathroom at the Canopy House in New Zealand
Above: Case study, Canopy House by Brett Hulley Architecture. Nestled in lush forest, the Canopy House seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings. The covered deck connecting the north and south wings enables the family to be deeply immersed in nature yet protected from the elements.
Above: Case study, Canopy House by Brett Hulley Architecture. The bedroom incorporates trees from the surrounding forest, bringing nature inside and creating a seamless connection between the home and its natural environment.
Above: Case study, Canopy House by Brett Hulley Architecture. The hexagonal pattern in the timber floor reflects the natural geometry found in nature.
Above: Case study, Canopy House by Brett Hulley Architecture. The angles of the deck’s hexagonal pattern align perfectly with the summer and winter solstice sunrise positions visible on site.