We are part of a vast ecosystem

Our recent shared and individual experiences, brought on by Covid-19 and the resulting rapid escalation of restrictions to our everyday happenings, have brought home for me more than ever before the understanding that humans are a very small part of a much wider and wonderfully powerful system.

In January of this year, long before Covid-19 had reached our shores and before news media had started reporting on the fast developing situation in Wuhan, I was working on trend boards for a client. One of the 2020-21 trends I was writing about was Biophilic Design. Quick crash course, “Biophilia”, means “love of life”. The trend mood board I was created looked at how hues of green, soft tactile qualities and organic forms would feature in our interior spaces, and the importance humans' would place on bringing plants, natural materials and finishes into their homes to create zen relaxing 'living' spaces to counteract fast pace lifestyles. Spaces that supported their wellbeing through a connection with nature.

Fast forward to May 11th, and this sentiment and trend couldn't be more poignant. In NZ we are emerging from a nationwide 'lockdown' with stepped easing of restrictions, and having all spent considerably more time indoors, and less time in nature in recent months, bringing nature into our living, working and play spaces is what we crave (and need).

If you are like me, and feeling somewhat off balance post lockdown, then take note. It is a thing. Living without a connection to nature is bad news. RootedByNature.org shares that 'Biophilia explains that humans have evolved in response to our natural surroundings, and like any other animal, we thrive in the surroundings that most nurture us. By addressing aspects of the environment that most nurture us, we can create environments that respond to our wholeness, who we are as humans, and in turn increase performance, healing, satisfaction, productivity, and lower stress by consciously designing our built environment with this connection in mind.'

I'll spare you all the detail, and instead point you again to the Rooted By Nature website that is a fount of knowledge on the subject. The geek in you might be interested in finding out about the 6 goals and 14 patterns of Biophilic Design. If you work in the wellbeing/wellness sector, you may want to find links between your work & philosophies and the research & benefits listed for Biophilic Design.

I'll leave it with you to ponder and in the meantime, I'll make the most of my final days with kids home schooling to make nature art and dip our feet in the water. And I'll continue to curiously connect with living things inside and outside my home to create spaces that look good, feel good and are good for us.

The late Stephen Kellert, the 'Godfather' of Biophilic design put it succinctly when he said, "Biophilic design is the deliberate attempt to translate an understanding of the inherent human affinity to affiliate with natural systems and processes-known as biophilia.”

Pictured above one of my latest painting, titled Everything is connected. 70x70cm