From the ‘Creating Positive Spaces’ Design Guide series - written for practitioners in collaboration with Interface Inc. Underpinned by a wealth of research, this guide aims to inspire architects, designers and decision-makers to consider and create spaces that encourage people to connect.
In the guide we combine the work of psychologists MacmIllan and Chavis with that of Stephen Kellert - the godfather of Biophilic Design. The former explains what a sense of community is and how we can create it. The later, how we can use a socio-psychological approach to Biophilic Design to form stronger connections with places, spaces and nature.
By combining these two approaches we demonstrate how shared connections to nature in the built environment can put us in a better physical, mental and emotional state and so facilitate connections and conversation. And when we talk amazing things can happen, sharing knowledge, skills, and resources and as a result start to innovate.
