Biophilia. Seeking connection with nature.

Before the term had a name it was a guiding principle for many ancient cultures, especially Indigenous communities who inherently understood and respected the balance achieved when we coexist with nature. Early humans were closely intertwined with the environment, relying on landscapes, its vegetation and animal life for everything from food to shelter. Their survival depended on it.

The word itself stems from Greek: bios, meaning life, and philia, meaning love – a love of life. In the mid 1980’s American biologist E.O. Wilson presented scientific support for the concept with his book Biophilia. The hypothesis: that humans subconsciously seek a deep-seated connection with the rest of life, that it is engrained in our DNA and not a philosophical inclination. Decades earlier, in the 1960s, German social psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term, describing biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive – the wish to further growth, whether in a person, a plant, an idea, or a social group.”

Over decades, this theory has gained significant traction across multiple disciplines, and influences psychology, architecture, urban planning, and environmental activism – reinforced by compelling case studies that show how integrating nature into modern spaces strengthens and protects our ecosystems.

Research has consistently found that exposure to natural elements improves mental and physical health, that biophilic design is not simply an aesthetic approach but a deeply ingrained psychological pull. Biophilia as Evolutionary Adaptation explores the concept of biophilia as an evolutionary process acknowledging regional variations in nature, as well as environmental preferences and recovery. An article published in September 2023 in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that stress markers such as high blood pressure and heart rate were reduced by varying degrees when the test subjects were immersed in nature. As individuals and corporations increasingly recognize the benefits of nature infused elements in our living and working environments, they are also discovering it leads to increased employee engagement, productivity and overall well-being. Indicators suggest that workers experience lower stress levels, better focus, enhanced creativity and more dynamic workplaces.