Improving Places to Feel Better

Age range: 9-12 years

Duration: 45 min to a long-term project (classroom transformation project in accordance with the elements of biophilic design)

Biomimicry Connection:

It is an innate need of humans to live in close relationship with nature (biophilia). The activity helps pupils to look at the environment around them with new eyes - the more we take inspiration from nature, the better we feel.  Do the spaces in which we live, study or stay support our health and wellbeing? How can we mimic nature in designing public spaces (or schools) to feel healthier?

Activity Details:

Tools and Materials

• Paper and coloured pencils for each group of pupils
• Sets of photos with and without biophilic design elements, one for each group (see Biophilic Design Cards handout)

Preparation

• Outdoor and indoor
• Planning a tour to a suitable place inside or outside for drawing a ‘feelings map’
• Arrangement of desks for groupwork
• Printing and cutting of cards

Description

1. In groups, as pupils to explore their given space (any public space in a nearby district, or a school corridor in case of bad weather) and draw simple plans of the place. Where do they feel OK? Where not? Places are marked on the map in the form of emojis. They can add sketches to their drawing showing what might improve the space (a tree, a bench, work-out equipment, etc.).
2.  Provide each group with a set of photos (see Biophilic Design Cards handout). What do the photos show? If pupils find pairs of ‘mirrored’ photos, they can pair them up (e.g. biophilic office space vs. common office space - a solution closer to nature vs. one that does not reflect the human need to be in contact with nature).
3. Ask pupils to keep working on their drawing from step 1; what do they want to improve about this place? What is different compared to the original state? Each group will present their proposal.
4. Finally, present the concept of biophilia (love of nature), which reflects the innate human desire to be in contact with nature. Finish by asking pupils to name the elements of biophilic design in the photo cards. Do they see any?
5. Discussion: Why and how can a person be connected with nature?

Extension

Pupils create a proposal for the revitalization of the classroom using elements of biophilic design. Can they put simple and feasible solutions into practice. For example, plants suspended from the ceiling or ecosystems within glass containers.

Additional Information

Read this article about biophilic design in schools (here).

Explore the six elements of biophilic design (here).

Even whole cities can become biophilic (here and here).

Learn how biophilic design promotes human health (here).