Biophilic Designs in Farmhouses

Picture this: You are in the countryside or a remote village. Sitting on the verandah of the house with your morning cup of tea, you enjoy the scenery outside. The melodious chirping of the birds along with a light wind rustling the leaves, you see the horizon with the clear blue sky meeting the lush green fields. You truly immerse in the experience and connect with nature.

Well, if you find this thought very interesting and relaxing, this is exactly what the essence of biophilic designs in architecture is. The amalgamation of nature into modern architecture so that the residents can get the feel of nature even in big cities. Biophilic designs can enhance our well-being, connect with the environment, and foster sustainable living.

Going back to some states in India, you might have seen how many houses in the coastal areas have slanted thatched roofs with clay tiles mounted on them. The thatched roof keeps the rain out while the clay tiles are a good conductor of heat, thereby maintaining a pleasant temperature. Similarly, many houses in Southern India have a courtyard with a tulsi plant. These are some of the contemporary yet vernacular examples of houses with biophilic designs.

As the population is growing with every minute, nature is getting further apart from us and we are getting more and more trapped in a concrete jungle. To tackle this situation and bring the residents closer to nature, Biophilic designs have been incorporated into architecture. In this blog, We will show you how farmhouses across the world are adapting biophilic designs.

Adoption of Biophilic Designs in Farmhouses

With the growing realisation of urban areas becoming concrete jungles and people getting trapped in the four walls of their homes, the need to get out and connect with nature is on an ever growing high. According to a study by Tourism Academy, 2.29 billion US Citizens take domestic trips each year whereas 93 million take international trips. According to another study conducted by the mentalhealth.org of the United Kingdom, it was seen that nearly 45% of people agreed that going out and connecting with nature really helps in reducing stress and coping with life.

Farmhouses are gaining popularity among the masses. Here are a few reasons why there is a growth in the trend of people turning to farmhouses:

- Space

Apartments in the urban cities are growing smaller by day. In such a situation, hosting parties with larger groups of people is really hard. Farmhouses provide the space for larger accommodation while providing an experience for the residents to connect with the nature at a deeper level

- Sustainable Living with a Scenery

Farmhouses promote sustainable living in its core aspect as many of them include biophilic designs to satisfy the customers’ preferences. A lot of them are built on farmlands thereby delivering breathtaking scenery to the residents.

- For the Aesthetics

By incorporating biophilic designs and bringing nature a step closer to humans, these farmhouses are also imbibing heritage and aesthetic values to the structure. This is done with the help of wooden pillars, bricks and clay tile roofs etc.

Read more on Biophilic Design, here- https://www.vanguarddesign.in/post/employee-wellness-and-biophilic-design

Incorporation of Biophilic Designs in Farmhouses across the world

Here are some excellent examples of farmhouses adopting biophilic designs:

1. The Wendy House at Palakkad, Kerala

Image source: https://www.archdaily.com/995739/the-wendy-house-earthscape-studio

The Wendy House in Kerala is an apt example of a farmhouse going hand in hand with biophilic designs. Spread over an 8-acre land, this architecture has been built using the Timbrel Vault Structure which includes the use of bricks and other eco-friendly material. The roofs are built with clay tiles and several elements of nature have been included in this structure.

2. The Greenary at Parma, Italy

Image source: https://www.frameweb.com/article/living/architecture-and-nature-coexist-in-this-biophilic-redesign-of-an-italian-farmhouse

This farmhouse in Italy uses biophilic designs to help its residents take a break from the stress of life and relax. The structure is built around a 10-metre-tall ficus tree, which is the actual centre of attention. The structure also includes glass walls to let maximum light in as well and the living area and kitchen have windows facing huge meadows.

3. Casa NaMora at Gonçalo, Portugal

Image source: https://www.frameweb.com/article/living/a-modernized-portuguese-farmhouse-offers-lessons-in-biophilic-living

This farmhouse in Portugal is a view everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Materials such as stone, concrete, steel, and wood have been used to build the entire structure along with glass walls and huge windows to allow maximum light into the interior of the structure. An incorporation of modern interiors with traditional outdoors is used in this farmhouse.

4. The Garden House at Banashankari, Bengaluru

Image source: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/this-bengaluru-bungalow-is-a-great-example-of-biophilic-design/

This beautiful structure located in Bengaluru is truly one of a kind and lives up to its name. The raw materials are upcycled from old construction sites and older bungalows that were being demolished. With plenty of plants around it, this structure will leave you awestruck.

5. Destiny - The Farm Resort at Vakkiel Thotum, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Image source: https://www.littlearth.in/destiny-the-farm-resort/

This farmhouse in Ooty, Tamil Nadu is perfect for a weekend getaway. Located amidst scenic views and lakes, this farmhouse incorporates biophilic designs by the creative inclusion of wooden docks in the structure.

About Vanguard Design

Established in 2010, Vanguard Design is a firm that focuses on urban design, architecture, and interior design. Our expertise lies in crafting inspirational, functional, and sustainable designs with a futuristic touch for a wide range of projects, encompassing product design, architecture, and urban planning. Our creations are guided by a blend of aesthetic and functionalist innovation.

Sources

1. https://www.ciphr.com/advice/plants-in-the-office/

2. https://myprimefurniture.ca/blogs/news/biophilic-design-trends-in-farmhouse-industrial-styles

3. https://www.frameweb.com/article/living/architecture-and-nature-coexist-in-this-biophilic-redesign-of-an-italian-farmhouse

4. https://www.frameweb.com/article/living/a-modernized-portuguese-farmhouse-offers-lessons-in-biophilic-living

5. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/nature-how-connecting-nature-benefits-our-mental-health#:~:text=Throughout%20the%20pandemic%2C%20nearly%20half,important%20in%20supporting%20their%20wellbeing.

6. https://www.squareyards.com/blog/farmhouse-investment-the-new-trend-in-real-estate#:~:text=However%2C%20farmhouses%20became%20a%20trend,stone%20towards%20bonding%20with%20nature.

7. https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/this-bengaluru-bungalow-is-a-great-example-of-biophilic-design/

8. https://buildingandinteriors.com/best-farmhouses-in-india/