Can we finally talk about the species inappropriate places we live in?

Or do you need to be locked into your shoeboxes for a little longer?

Read on if you are ready!

#biophilicdesign #biophilia #architecture

(photo cc0: Irina Grotkjaer)

Our homes, schools, hospitals and work places have become lifeless containers with barely any natural light or fresh air.

The Homo Sapiens' body depends on regular interaction with living things.

(photo cc0: Changbok Ko)

Our species originates from the savanna. An earlier stage from the forests.

We are drawn to images of planes of grass with some trees on it.

Staying in a forest for two days improves our #ImmuneSystem by up to 40% and the effects will last for 1 month!

(photo cc0: Aram Sabah)

Connection with other animals has proven to be not only social but even beneficial for healing the sick. So much, we have started bringing them into hospitals.

(photo cc0: Stefan Heesch)

We forgot, humans are not something separate from nature.

We ARE nature.
That means that all our cities and shoeboxes are nature in progress, too. It doesn't mean, we've yet understood what it means to be a healthy #ecosystem.

(photo cc0: Karina Carvalho)

Becoming a healthier #ecosystem does not mean going back to medieval living.

It means, integrating our natural environments into our living spaces. Not only to aid us. We need to aid them in return. Go into #symbiosis.

(photo cc0: Kris Mikael Krister)

There is already #architecture out there, aiming for an integration with nature. It's called #BiophilicDesign.

One of the leading cities in this field is one that battled with the worst air pollution: #Singapore.

(photo cc0: Darren Nunis, Singapore Airport)

#BiophilicDesign includes the following elements:

Organic Shapes & Patterns
Natural Light
Fresh Air
Living Matter (plants, animals)
Thrill (what one feels when standing by a cliff)
Water/Fire Elements

(photo cc0: Victor Garcia, Singapore)

It's been proven, that our concrete jungle cities make us sick. Mentally and physically.

It's been proven that time in natural environments makes us stronger.

So let's bring some of that into our homes!

(Next time we'll talk about urban design)

(Photo cc0: Briana Santellan)

The easiest and most effective way of bringing #Biophilia into your home, is by introducing #houseplants.

Jungle plants make a good match for indoors. They need little light, less water & are resistant.

You have a balcony? I suggest local plants for that.

(photo cc0: Huy Phan)

If you are as cheeky as I am, you can even go to the local forest and dig up a plant or two.

Most bush- and tree- twigs will grow roots if cut from the mother plant and put into water.

Make sure you don't take anything protected.

(photo cc0: Tom Rickhuss)

I even brought mosses from the forest to cover the earth of my plant pots.

It keeps moisture in (less watering).
It brings beneficial insects (from a biodiverse forest. They stay in the pots).
It enriches the soil.
It cleans CO2 out of the air.
It looks gorgeous.

#moss

Talking about insects:

In order to invite beneficial insects to your little balcony garden, you could hang up an insect hotel.

The little buggers will help you with pest control and will also attract more birds to your balcony!

(photo cc0: Tania Malréchauffé)

The next step is, to introduce natural shapes and patterns into your home.

That can furniture, dishes, or elements from nature, like branches or pretty stones.

Avoid edges & embrace roundish shapes.

Pictures of nature do a great job, too.

(photo cc0: Mette van der Linden)

You can even go so far to bring in a naturally designed water fountain.

Natural waterflows spread anions into the air, that are especially healthy for our lungs.

Implement water-cleansing plants so you never have to clean it yourself.

(photo cc0: Alexandr Popadin)

These are some of the things that everybody can do in their own home.

Do you have any more ideas?

But the truth is...

But the truth is:

It's architects that have to shift from glass/steel/concrete box buildings to organic ways of building.

Today's housing has bad ventilation & little light.

The city of the future will be more integrated into it's surroundings.

(photo cc0: Chris Barbalis)

If this tweet storm gains some attention, I will talk about the green future of cities and the impact they will have on us and the planet.

So make sure to like, retweet and follow

PS.: If you want to see more of my biophilic home and lifestyle, make sure to check out my instagram

https://instagram.com/growingrobin