“I think we’re going to break all the rules, but the good thing is…they’re all made up anyway,” says Turf brand director Faraz Shah opening episode three of the brand’s new podcast Sense of Space, which he cohosts with designer Ella Hazard. Presented by Turf and the SURROUND Podcast Network, the show aims to explore the nuances of design in conversation with designers, architects, and creatives, taking on topics such as what creates ‘a vibe’ and whether buildings have souls.
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Ella Hazard.
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Faraz Shah.
Joined by Carolyn Noble, an interior designer who explores sensory and biophilic elements, the trio delve into the natural world in episode three, aptly titled: Does Nature Design Things? The episode examines biophilia as a term that extends beyond visible greenery, digging into the impact of natural light and sound in the built environment to the physiological effects of what people see and perceive in a space. Referencing Terrapin Bright Green‘s 14 patterns of biophilic design, Noble shares that there are numerous ways into biophilic design. For example, water—a popular biophilic element—can pull focus as a babbling water fountain, a mosaic that references oceanic waves, or a mural composed of blue hues, to name a few.
Interested in learning more about nature and design on Sense of Space? Check the episode three out here.
“Plant life is a great place to start: They’re alive, they’re healthy, they absorb CO2 and other off-gassing, some plants can even absorb some sound and, of course, kick back oxygen,” Noble says. But solutions with the biggest impact often are found closest to home. “I think one of the most important components that can be overlooked is that it really should be a celebration of the local materials and the local place,” she adds. From natural stone to greenery and textures, Noble advises taking a look around—quite literally— for inspiration.
Yet show hosts also cautioned that context is key. A bird song in an office could be alarming, for instance, since that sound is not native to an enclosed workplace. Rather, designers should aim to create a dynamic soundscape, appealing to a wide array of sensory experiences. Recalling a visit to her hometown in Vermont, Hazard shares that the sound of crickets is a “different kind of loud” than the streetscape she’s used to hearing in downtown Los Angeles. “It’s unnerving for me; it takes me a few nights to be able to sleep well when it’s different quiet or different noisy,” she adds.
At the heart of designing any biophilic space is a sense of mindfulness about how elements interact with each other, creating layered environments that foster a sense of calm and connection.
Want to learn more about creating serene environments rooted in nature? Listen to the full episode on the SURROUND Podcast Network.
