Biophilic Backyard: Designing a Living Space for People and Nature

A backyard is the outdoor space behind a house that serves as an extension of our living space. Whether used for relaxation, recreation, or other hobbies, it has the potential to create immersive experiences with nature. As modern lifestyles leave people with less opportunities to be connected with the natural world, I wanted to transform the backyard into a more biophilic space that promotes the well-being of people by helping them re-connect to nature.

My design features biophilic design elements like a curved wooden canopy that supports the growth of ephiphytes with circular openings that create shadows and dynamic lights. People can be under the canopy or even above it to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature including the growing ephiphytes. With all of these features, an ordinary backyard can be transformed to encourage a healthier, restorative space and ultimately reconnect people with nature at their home.

CAD Design

1. Tinkercad

Smaller scale physical model

1. Wooden board (base)
2. Popsicle sticks (36-40)
3. Embroidery threads
4. Paper Tape
5. Craft Knife/scissors
6. Hot glue gun

Possible materials for real world construction * () is what it replaces from the smaller scale physical model

1. Backyard (wooden board)
2. Cedar tree (popsicle stick)
3. Rope (Embroidery threads)
4. Chainsaw (craft knife/scissors)
5. Construction adhesive (hot glue gun)

My design process began by researching what role backyards play in people's lives and the growing disconnect between people and nature. The biggest problem I identified was that backyards were not a meaningful space for many people anymore because factors like increased use of digital devices indoors have reduced people's connection to outdoor spaces like the backyard, thus affecting their well-being.

So I explored ways to make backyards more engaging and I came across the concept of biophilic design. Biophilia refers to the human tendency to seek connections with nature. Therefore, Biophilic Design refers to architecture and urban planning that mimics natural environments to enhance and improve well-being. For example, involving sunlight, fresh outdoor breezes, or using irregular patterns found in leaves or shells can be a part of biophilic design. Research on biophilic designs have shown that it benefits mental and physical health, and even promotes sustainability since it incorporates natural elements and materials.

After learning about biophilic designs, I brainstormed different designs to incorporate natural elements like light, plants, and shadows into the backyard experience to strengthen the connection to nature, leading to my initial sketches.

I sketched a structure that looks like a curved canopy - with holes cut in some spots so dynamic lighting and shadows are available for the people, along with plants growing on top of it. The canopy also supports the pre-existing environment since there can be holes cut in for trees or plants that grew before the canopy was installed.

I also did more research to find materials needed to make the structure biophilic and constructable.

Cedar can be used for the wooden canopy since it's..

1. Excellent natural rot resistance
2. Lightweight and easy to shape
3. Rough enough for moss/other ephiphytes to establish
4. Great for bromeliads to be mounted

*Epiphytic (ephiphytes): growing on top of another plant such as a tree—for physical support without harming it

*Trees for the ephiphytes does not need to be alive

Ephiphytes can include

1. moss
2. bromeliads
3. orchids (if preferred)

Together this structure will combine light, shadow, outdoor breeze, plants and more biophilic elements to provide a living space that can help people to interact with nature again.

I took my sketches to create a digital model using Tinkercad, developing the structure, proportions and placement of elements before making the actual model. Through this process, I was able to continuosly revise and refine the design to create the best final 3D model.

After I finalized the design in Tinkercad, I began to make a smaller scale physical model to visualize the structure in real life. There were 3 big parts for the model: the wooden canopy, supporting legs, and assembling everything together.

The Wooden Canopy was made in following steps (following the attached picture):

1. Cut all the rounded parts of the popsicle sticks (I used 36 of them) using the craft scissors (or cutter).
2. Align all of them together and attach paper tape over it so the sticks stay together.
3. Draw in the circles so that it outlines where the holes would be in.
4. Detach the paper tape from the sticks, and cut out the holes from sticks one by one following the previously drawn lines.
5. Align them again, and vertically attach the embroidery strings using a hot glue gun so that the sticks permanently stay together and bend well for the curve.
6. Do it 3 times (Right, left, middle) to make it sturdy enough.
7. Flip it to see the clean outer side.

The canopy made in step 4 is just flat by itself. However, it can create curves because of the strings attached to it. With supporting legs, a curved structure can be created.

1. 2 taller supporting legs (5.5 cm) were made using wooden chopsticks. Measure 5.5 cm on the wooden chopsticks, mark it and cut with a craft cutter (repeat 2 times to make 2).
2. 2 shorter supporting legs (5 cm) repeat the same process as the taller legs.
3. Attach the legs to the wooden canopy accordingly.

Attach the canopy to the base (wooden board) with hot glue. Since there are 2 different heights of the legs, the structure will naturally form a curve. Make adjustments of the curve to make it look like the design.

Additionally, I added popsicle sticks on the taller supports to reinforce the structure.

*the whole structure installed at the backyard right behind the house

The curved wooden canopy creates a welcoming and calming environment, also supporting the growth of ephiphytes. People can go under the canopy to relax, or go on top of it depending on their preference. The circular openings in the canopy are an important element since they allow sunlight to go through, creating patterns of light and shadow that helps with creating a comfortable atmosphere.

Ephiphytes were also incorporated into the design to create a living connection between the wooden canopy and the surrounding natural environment, allowing the canopy to become an evolving and dynamic element that can change over time since the ephiphytes can grow.

Through this biophilic backyard design project, I explored a form of architecture that I was unfamiliar with and gained a deeper understanding of how biophilic design can create a stronger connection between people and nature. I learned that biophilic architecture is not simply about adding plants around the buildings, but about creating a live, sensory experience through integrating light, materials, plants and other biophilic elements. I hope to apply these ideas in my future designs to create a better space that allows people to reconnect to nature.