BIOPHILIAAn investigation in Textiles by Incorporating  Biophilic designs and creating simulated Natural EnvironmentAnkita Sharma / N0491608MA Textile Design InnovationSupervisor / Nick ThomasCourse leader / Sean PrinceNottingham Trent University Contenti. Abstract ii. Introductioniii. Scopeiv. What is Biophlic Design?v. What are the benefits of Biophilic Designs?vi. Aims and Objectivesvii. Concept Development viii. Resourcesix. TechniquesThere is no beauty without, some strangeness                                      – Edgar Allan PoEABSTRACTWe all crave connection to the natural world, even if we have always been divided from it. The advantages of interacting with and seeing nature are numerous. Beyond benefits, just the presence of the living world around us elevates the spirit. Beauty of simple objects always fascinates me but what seems more enthralling to me is the strangeness that holds together the beauty in place. (An exploration of how, through reference to the Biophilic Design Strategies, multimedia textiles can be utilized to create a simulated nature environment.) (Judith Fassbender)INTRODUCTION Coming from a place which is rich in beauty and colours the word Nature was enough to excite me to work on it. But sooner the inspiration became more closer to me. Being away from my people and reading headlines like these hurt me  ‘I feel helpless’: Delhi residents on the smog crisis (F-R., 2017) ‘We only step outside when it’s important’  (Purwar, 2017)’It’s a state of emergency, but in other ways it’s business as usual’ (Sharma, 2017)’It smells like petrol and is horrible to breathe’ (Kate, 2017)A city where walk in around the area would provide ample opportunities for bird-watching, scent of flowering trees overhead,  now feels suffocated because of the extensive increase in the pollution levels.  Initially I wanted to capture the beauty and strangeness of nature. Now I am focusing on creating a connection between nature and human beings. I feel the nature is not only able to exhibit its dynamic beauty along with strangeness it cherishes but also heal mankind in ample ways. I will be exploring a desire to get closer to the wilder, hideous and the stranger side of nature by  celebrating the beauty through raw, unfinished and imperfect designs. The environment will be inspired from Biophilic Designs. (It is derived from the term Biophilia (meaning love of nature) which focuses on human’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes. It suggests that we all have a genetic connection to the natural world built up through hundreds of thousands of years of living in. Biophilic Design uses these ideas as principles to create a human centred approach that when applied improves many of the spaces that we live and work in today, with numerous benefits to our health and well-being.) (Glenzinska)SCOPEThis project intends to explore the creation of material through the discipline of woven textiles, embroidery and prints. Through a mixmedia approach I am aiming to create fabric collections that will explore the concept. In addition to this I hope to develop some 3D textiles/uplifted effects on fabric that could be integrated across various applications. Also the project aims to play with colors according to the child’s psychology.WHAT IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN?It is a term popularized by American psychologist Edward O Wilson in the 1980’s, when he observed how increasing rates of urbanisation were leading to a disconnection with the natural world. With high rates of migration to urban settings in the developed world and soaring rates in developing countries – Biophilia is of ever increasing importance to our health and well-being in the built environment.Biophilic Design uses these ideas as principles to create a human centred approach that when applied improves many of the spaces that we live and work in today, with numerous benefits to our health and well-being.Incorporating direct or indirect elements of nature into the built environment have been demonstrated through research to reduce stress, blood pressure levels and heart rates, whilst increasing productivity, creativity and self reported rates of well-being.________________________________________WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS BIOPHILIC DESIGN?• Office design: productivity can be increased by 8%, rates of well-being up by 13%, increases in creativity, with reduced absenteeism and presenteeism• Hospitality design: Guests willing to pay 23% more for rooms with views of Biophilic elements• Education spaces: increased rates of learning 20-25%, improved test results, concentration levels and attendance, reduced impacts of ADHD• Healthcare spaces: post-operative rates of recovery reduced by 8.5%, reduced pain medication by 22%• Retail: the presence of vegetation & landscaping has been found to increase average rental rates on retail spaces with customers indicating they were willing to pay 8-12 % more for goods and services.• Homes: can become more calming & restorative,  with 7-8 % less crime attributed to areas with access to nature and can command an increase of 4-5% in property price.________________________________________(Mcewen, 2017)(Mcewen, Oliver Health Design, 2017)(Heath, 2017)AIMS & OBJECTIVES FABRIC DEVELOPMENT Once establishing approaches to fabrications I aim to experiment with the fabric by creating patterns, structure and textures  alongside manipulating the form of fabric .I will be creating structures with embellishments and weaves that could be incorporated in the textiles for interiors directly. I intend to develop some embellishments and fabrics that have qualities of both Beauty and Strangeness. MULTIMEDIA APPROACHTo capture the essence of the title I will incorporate a multimedia approach for the development of my project. I want to unveil  nature through my perspective by creating samples with the combination of explored and skilled techniques. The fabrics will be visually exciting having both hand and digital craft methods.COMMERCIAL VALUEThe seed of germination of the idea to launch a textile brand has gripped my imagination, so I aim to design my samples which are feasible and have commercial value to them. The passion of having a brand will help me attract to work with more zeal. SIMULATED NATURAL ENVIRONMENT I intend to create a place (possibly for kids) with artificial representation of nature inspired from biophilic designs  benefitting the people inside it and compelling them to have actual views of nature. This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” ~ Alan W. Watts (Watts, 2014) CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT My fascination with the elements surrounding me started during my BA in Textile Design, when I looked around simple objects as designs for my collection. One of the things that fascinates me most is the well-trodden ground in the world of art- NATURE.  There is no limit to the possibilities of how nature can be harnessed to create original, breath-taking textile art. Having learnt a lot of techniques I want to explore the aspect of textile pushing me out of my comfort zone. Originally I was only interested in the fact of creating something three dimensional with unconventional materials. I started by researching about artist creating structures having dimensions. Through the various research and material explorations I realised that I need to connect my research with my strengths. Initially starting up with the idea of creating textile pieces inspired from nature did not seem enough for me. Further research into the topic gave me an insight into the advantages it has on mankind. The idea to create a simulated natural  interior space for kids breezed in my mind as the advantages from biophilic environment would benefit them most.  I want the space to be effective enough to encourage development in all positive aspects in kids. • Illusrative and stylized taking inspiration from the environment in reference to Biophilic designs (Biophilic element is incorporated because it has real and measurable benefits relating to human performance.From an environmental point of view, one of the most promising reason to incorporate biophilic designs in the building is to inspire interest in – and appreciation of- nature. This appreciation, in turn, can motivate people to protect the environment and preserve natural areas. Biophilic elements have real, measurable benefits relative to mankind such as productivity, emotional well- being, stress reduction, learning, and healing. • Considering the end product (i.e. creating an environment for kids) the textiles will be engaging  and touch- friendly.”When we make Play the foundation of learning, we teach the Whole child.”Vince GowmonI intend to create an environment beneficial for kids, for which I plan to design textiles which will keep the child engaged. The idea is to properly cultivate the kids with the values of sense of wonder and affinity for Nature into ecological literacy. • In connection with neuropathways in the brain, the colors will be inspired directly from nature keeping in mind the child psychology towards colors.We all know that color can help connect the neuropathways in the brain. When correct color is found for a person’s problem subject, then that subject actually becomes a lot easier for the child; the students actually experience the joy of learning. Children also react to colors on a physical level. (Olesen, 2017)• Main focus is to create a beneficial environment for kids along with that I would want my designs to be visually appealing. (inspiration from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, USA)Overall idea behind the design concepts and elements is to create a whimsical nature friendly environment to not only promote natural healing but also to improve  sleep, reduce  depression and improve productivity. • While designing such a sensitive environment the fabric selection will be kept in mind. The fabrics used will be non toxic and allergic free. Natural fibres will be given more preference. Nationwide Children’s Hospital(Pedersen, 2014)RESOURCES For the completion of this, I will be requiring the vast resources and help from technical team to overcome challenges throughout. I intend to explore the techniques I am skilled in (hand embroidery, printing and weaving) along with the techniques and areas that are not explored (digital embroidery, machine embroidery, jacquard)TECHNIQUESHand EmbroideryMachine EmbroideryLaser CuttingScreen Printing Digital PrintingFoil/Flock PrintingWeaving Digital Embroidery BibliographyBibliographyF-R., T. (2017, November 08). The Guardian. Retrieved November 12, 2017, from theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/08/i-feel-helpless-delhi-residents-on-the-smog-crisis#topGlenzinska, J. (n.d.). Oliver Health Design . Retrieved January 8, 2018, from http://www.oliverheath.com: http://www.oliverheath.com/biophilic-design-connecting-nature-improve-health-well/Heath, O. (2017, June 9). Oliver Health Design. Retrieved January 31, 2018, from www.oliverheath.com: http://www.oliverheath.com/garden-school-hackney/Judith Fassbender, B. S. In/Out. The Future is Urban Heimtextil 2018, Frankfurt.Kate. (2017, November 8). www.theguardian.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017, from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/08/i-feel-helpless-delhi-residents-on-the-smog-crisisMcewen, E. (2017, June 8). Oliver Health Design. Retrieved January 31, 2018, from www.oliverheath.com: http://www.oliverheath.com/boosting-brainwaves-biophilia-can-boost-creativity-help-us-avoid-depression/Mcewen, E. (2017, March 13). Oliver Health Design . Retrieved January 9, 2018, from www.oliverheath.com: http://www.oliverheath.com/biophilic-design-connecting-nature-improve-health-well/Olesen, J. (2017). Color Meanings. Retrieved January 12, 2018, from color-meanings.com: https://www.color-meanings.com/color-psychology-child-behavior-and-learning-through-colors/Pedersen, B. M. (2014). Graphis Competition. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://www.graphis.com/entry/ec07c75e-a246-11e2-9ae1-f23c91dffdec/Purwar, A. (2017, November 8). The Guardian. Retrieved November 12, 2017, from www.theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/08/i-feel-helpless-delhi-residents-on-the-smog-crisisSharma, K. (2017, November 08). The Guardian . Retrieved November 12, 2017, from www.theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/08/i-feel-helpless-delhi-residents-on-the-smog-crisisWatts, A. (2014, August 28). Facebook. Retrieved January 20, 21018, from www.facebook.com: https://www.facebook.com/AlanWattsAuthor/photos/a.1516449735244843.1073741841.1512306032325880/1535752326647917/?type=1-Hume,Achim. Patersens, Magnus af and Tuttle, Richard,2015,Richard Tuttle:I don’t know the weave of textile language Thittichai, Kim, 2009, Experimental TextilesColchester, Chloe, 1991, The new textiles: Trends+ Traditions Exhibitions / galleries / museumsSounds like her, New art Exchange, 3rd Nov.2017Sara Mackillop, Bonington Gallery, 6h Nov.2017Henderson Gallery,Art and Crafts at Malt Cross, 11th Nov.2017Annual Exhibition, Nottingham Society of Artists, 11th Nov.2017Heimtextil, Messe Frankfurt 9th Jan.2018Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour ,23rd Jan.2018Workshops/conferences / seminars / industry showsMark making, Sunday Studio, 1st Oct.2017, The Place Activity Centre, NottinghamHeat Transfer, Sunday Studio, 8th Oct.2017, The Place Activity Centre, NottinghamEco Textiles, Sunday Studio, 15th Oct.2017, The Place Activity Centre, NottinghamE Textiles, Sunday Studio, 22nd Oct.2017, The Place Activity Centre, NottinghamColor Management, SDC Workshop, 8th Nov.2017, School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham