Biophilic Design: Enhancing Well-being Through Architecture

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"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us."
— Winston Churchill

Biophilic Design in Architecture

At Markos Design Workshop, we've always been drawn to a design instinct that places people at the centre of our work. Over time, we've come to understand that this instinct has a name: biophilic design. Long before it became a recognised discipline, our work naturally gravitated toward the integration of nature—not as ornament, but as a foundational component of spatial experience and human health. The value of nature and biophilic design is something we have discussed in the past.

In recent years, the intuitive value of this approach has been substantiated by scientific evidence. The once anecdotal has become empirical, validated by studies that make a compelling case for embedding natural systems into the built environment.

Biophilic Design - According to Research

One such cornerstone was laid in 1984 when Professor Roger Ulrich—then at Texas A&M University—conducted a landmark study showing that patients recovering from surgery healed more quickly and required less pain medication when they had views of greenery rather than brick walls. This was one of the first studies to provide quantitative data linking the natural environment to physical health outcomes. Since then, the research has only grown deeper and more decisive.

A 2017 study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and SUNY Upstate Medical University further clarified the cognitive dimension. In this controlled research, workers operating in high-performance green-certified buildings showed cognitive scores that were, on average, 61% higher than those working in conventional buildings. The benefits didn’t stop there—participants also reported better sleep quality, reduced symptoms of sick-building syndrome, and even lowered levels of perceived stress.

These findings are not fringe. They are the quiet revolution reshaping how we think about architecture—not just as shelter or structure, but as a vehicle for wellness.

At its core, biophilic design is about reconnecting people with the rhythms and richness of the natural world. This isn’t about token gestures—planting a few pots in a lobby or installing a green wall for aesthetic effect. It is about designing spaces that evoke the sensory, spatial, and psychological qualities of being immersed in nature. It’s about airflow and light, materials and patterns, prospect and refuge.

In our practice, this means using orientation and glazing strategies to track daylight and seasonal change. It means specifying tactile materials—like unfinished timber, rammed earth, or clay plaster—that invite touch and carry the grain of nature. It means framing views, creating thresholds between interior and landscape, and crafting spaces that feel alive, not static.

As we navigate a time marked by ecological crisis and increasing disconnection, the argument for biophilic design becomes essential. Our health—physical, mental, social—is deeply entwined with the environments we inhabit.

The work of architecture, then, is not only to house the human body but to nourish the human condition.

Our Opinion on Biophilic Design

Since the practice was founded, we’ve consistently embraced nature as an integral part of our design ethos. At Markos Design Workshop, working with nature is not a strategy—it’s a sensibility. Biophilic principles are woven into the fabric of our architecture. This is something we have intuited from our earliest work.

This instinct manifests in everything from our material palette to the spatial logic of our work. Our projects consistently feature natural woods, clay-based finishes, and textured, breathable materials. These are intentional decisions, made to cultivate warmth, tactility, and psychological comfort.

Perhaps an expression of this approach is the Monocoque Cabin—our holiday let and an ongoing touchstone for our clients. The cabin’s design responds directly to its woodland context: the sculptural, organic form blends quietly into its surroundings, while the curved timber shell cocoons the interior in a warm, sheltering embrace.

Visitors often speak of their stay in language that transcends typical hospitality feedback. Words like regenerative, nourishing, and restorative come up again and again. For many, it’s not just a weekend retreat—it’s a recalibration. If you are interested in staying in the Monocoque Cabin and experiencing this for yourself - you can book your stay by clicking the link.

And this is the power of biophilic architecture when executed with care: it doesn’t just provide accommodation, it alters mood, renews energy, and restores a sense of connection—both to nature and to oneself.

If Biophilic design is something you would like to explore - why not send us an email or click the link below to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your aspirations.