This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Biophilia I - qualitative

Biophilia I - qualitative

Intent: 

To nurture the innate human-nature connection within the project.

The requirements are intentionally not prescriptive to allow projects to explore a variety of options when incorporating biophilia. Biophilia can be achieved in a space both through the addition of plants and natural patterns, for example symbolic references to patterns and textured arrangements found in nature, and/or elements, such as daylight.

Examples or methods for incorporating natural patterns include using flooring materials that employ natural patterns (i.e. leaves, wood grain, waves), natural materials (i.e. wood, stone) within furniture and the office design, artwork depicting natural scenes, potted plants and green walls, and furniture that mimic natural shapes.

Promoting human-nature interaction can be done by placing any of the above natural patterns along common circulation paths. Some additional examples include use of water features, framing natural views with windows, and incorporating sitting areas near outdoor or indoor vegetated areas.

This feature is required to be met within the project area, whether applied in the common spaces or not. For New and Existing Buildings and Interior projects, this would need to be met within the office area, but could be met in the common spaces of the building. For a Core and Shell project, this would be met in the common areas of the building and in those areas under landlord control.