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Biophilia II - quantitative

Biophilia recognizes our psychological need to be around life and life-like processes. The direct experience of nature or nature-derived patterns can improve experience, mood and happiness.

This feature calls for provision of indoor design elements reminiscent of the natural environment, including water features and plantings, as well as access to outdoor gardens and landscaped areas.

Part 1: Charitable Activities

Individuals are given the option to take paid time from work to participate in volunteer activities as follows:

a. 8 hours of paid time organized by employer for a registered charity twice a year.
Part 2: Indoor Biophilia

Wall and potted plants are incorporated into the design of interior space according to the following:

a.95 Potted plants or planted beds cover at least 1% of floor area per floor.
b.95 A plant wall per floor, covering a wall area equal or greater than 2% of the floor area, or covering the largest of the available walls, whichever is greater.
Part 3: Water Feature

The following requirement is met:

a.95 At least one water feature for every 9,290 m_ [100,000 ft²] that is 1.7 to 1.8 m [5.8 to 6 ft] in height and exposes occupants to the sight and sounds of still and moving water.
Nervous

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell Tenant Improvement New Construction
Part 1: Charitable Activities - O O
Part 2: Indoor Biophilia - O O
Part 3: Water Feature O O O
Commercial Kitchen Schools Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Charitable Activities - O - O O
Part 2: Indoor Biophilia - O O O -
Part 3: Water Feature - O O O -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Charitable Activities
Policy Document
PART 2 (Design)
Indoor Biophilia
Architect Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Water Feature
Architect Spot Check
95

Marcus, C. C. & Sachs, N. A. Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-based Approach to Designing Healing. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons; 2013.

100.1.b

Marcus and Sachs' Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-based Approach to Designing Healing provide guidelines for planting, including the provision of gardens that have an approximate ratio of 70% softscape (plants) to 30% hardscape.

100.2.a

Marcus and Sachs' Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-based Approach to Designing Healing recommends providing opportunities for indoor nature connection, such as through the use of potted plants.

100.2.b

Marcus and Sachs' Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-based Approach to Designing Healing recommends incorporating vegetation growing at multiple heights, such as through planted walls.

100.3.a

Marcus and Sachs' Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-based Approach to Designing Healing recommends providing at least one water feature.