Healthy building has been an aspiration through the entire history of mankind.

Nature nurtures, calms and inspires us. BUT we spend 90 percent of our lives indoors, cut off from the natural systems we evolved from so it is no surprise that the primitive parts of our brain crave a reconnection with nature. Neuroscience describes this as a craving for neurological nourishment.

Biophilia describes the instinctive bond between human beings and other living things – Nature nurtures, calms and inspires us. BUT we spend 90 percent of our lives indoors, cut off from the natural systems we evolved from so it is no surprise that the primitive parts of our brain crave a reconnection with nature. Neuroscience describes this as a craving for neurological nourishment.

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Healthy building has been an aspiration through the entire history of mankind.

• The positive health effects of sunlight and pure water were recognised by the Egyptians and ancient Greeks.
• Tomb paintings in ancient Egypt and remains found in pompeii showed that people brought plants into their homes.
• The Old Testament Book of Levicitus provided rules for avoiding leprosy as a result dampness in the home
• The knights of Malta built their hospital in Valetta ( malta) to provide views from each bed – they believed that gardens were essential support for the healing process.
• Florence Nightingale identified five essential needs to ensure good health at home: pure air; pure water; efficient drainage; cleanliness; and light, especially sunlight. “Do not build good hospitals, build good homes” is her famous quote .
• Winston Churchill said: 'we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.’

LIFESTYLE diseases are the leading cause of death in the modern world according to the W.H.O. and  70% of our health and longevity is determined by our health behaviours and physical environment. Lifestyle factors such as inactivity, poor diet, chronic sleep deprivation and stress are heavily implicated in the onset of chronic diseases.  In fact Physical inactivity alone is responsible for one in six UK deaths (equal to smoking).

Over three decades of research indicates that nature contact has a restorative effect on people, helping us deal with day-to-day stress and support our wellbeing. Biophilic design focuses on creating a connection with nature and natural processes within the built environment, and if adopted correctly can have a positive impact on our long term health and well being.