Biophilic design incorporates plants into building walls and roofs as "living walls" and rooftop gardens. It is popular with many architects and designers who want to replace non-sustainable materials such as concrete with materials that will benefit the environment while offering tangible benefits to those who live and work in the new buildings. Seasoned architect Androsky Lugo (also known as A. Alberto Lugo), a passionate advocate of sustainable architecture who has many years of experience designing eco-friendly buildings, weighs in on the pros and cons of biophilic design.
The benefits of biophilic design cannot be ignored, Androsky
Lugo asserts. Living walls and rooftop gardens reduce indoor and outdoor
pollution, reduce energy usage by moderating indoor temperatures, and extend a
roof's lifespan. Just as importantly, plants significantly impact the people
who live and work in the buildings. The indoor and outdoor greenery lowers
stress and anxiety levels while reducing headaches and fatigue. Company owners
who want to show consumers they are serious about helping the environment while
at the same time improving office morale and boosting employee productivity
will find biophilic building design to be ideal. Furthermore, Androsky Lugo is quick to point out
that the living walls and roof add value to a facility by reducing its energy
consumption, improving fire resistance, and prolonging the roof's lifespan. As
biophilic design becomes increasingly popular, the value of such buildings will
likely continue to rise.
At the same time, Androsky Lugo explains that biophilic design is not without its downsides. He emphasizes that architects, designers, and investors need to understand what goes into the construction and maintenance of a biophilic building. A great deal of time and research should go into choosing the right plans for the project. Some plants have allergens that could affect people living, working, or even walking past the building. Invasive plants should never be used because they harm local environments and wildlife. Certain plans may attract unwanted pests such as aphids and ants. Finally, the plants should require minimal care and attention, and a building owner will need to have a plan to care for the living walls and roof. Furthermore, the structure will need to be designed to ensure the plants receive the natural light they need in order to grow and flourish without exposing them to excessive direct sunlight that would cause the leaves to turn brown and wilt.
The drawbacks of biophilic design do not outweigh the
advantages, Androsky Lugo asserts. As the designer of New York City's first structure
to be built solely from sustainable and recycled materials, he has long been a
trendsetter in pushing for sustainable building design and construction. At the
same time, he is also a realist who understands that biophilic design needs to
be done properly in order for everyone to reap the most benefits. He urges
builders, fellow architects and designers, and investors alike to consider the
many advantages of biophilic design and do proper research to ensure the newly
designed building will be as effective, efficient, and eco-friendly as
possible.
read more: Cedric Fernando