Bringing Nature In: How Biophilic Design Is Reshaping Architecture

Bringing Nature In: How Biophilic Design Is Reshaping Architecture

As architecture continues to draw inspiration from nature, biophilic design is quickly becoming a key strategy, not just a trend. Its benefits, from improved well-being to stronger environmental performance, are shaping real decisions in education, healthcare, and beyond.


In this post, we spotlight biophilic design in action through the Quinnipiac University Health & Wellness Center, featured in Detailed Podcast Episode 87 87: Wellness & Biophilic Design | Quinnipiac University Health and Wellness Center | ARCAT. We’ll also share practical ways to bring biophilic principles into your own projects and how ARCAT tools can streamline the process from concept to spec.

So, What Is Biophilic Design and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

Biophilic design is a way of bringing nature into the spaces we live and work in. It could mean filling a room with natural light, using wood and other organic materials, or designing buildings that feel more connected to the outdoors. The goal is to create places that feel good to be in, both mentally and physically.


This design approach is catching on fast. Architects and designers are using it in schools, hospitals, offices, and homes because it’s been shown to improve how people feel and function. Spaces that embrace biophilic design often lead to better focus, lower stress, and a stronger sense of well-being.


As more people look for environments that support health and sustainability, biophilic design is moving into the spotlight as a smart, human-centered strategy.

Biophilic Design in Action: Quinnipiac University’s Health & Wellness Center

Quinnipiac University’s new Recreation and Wellness Center is a 35,000 sq. ft. addition to its athletics field house. It is purpose-built to support student well-being through both physical and mental health services. Designed with mass timber, flooded with natural light, and inspired by the nearby Sleeping Giant State Park, the building is a showcase of biophilic design principles brought to life.


Inside, students are welcomed by warm wood tones, open gathering spaces, and fitness and wellness facilities that feel anything but clinical. Built to LEED Platinum standards, the center operates without fossil fuels and features a hybrid structure that significantly reduces embodied carbon. This is sustainable, student-centered architecture at its best.


The full story is explored in Detailed Podcast Episode #87 87: Wellness & Biophilic Design | Quinnipiac University Health and Wellness Center | ARCAT, where host Cherise Lakeside speaks with Sam Batchelor of designLAB Architects about the design vision, material choices, and collaborative process behind the project.

How to Bring Biophilic Design Into Your Next Project — With Less Friction

Incorporating biophilic principles into a project doesn’t require a full design overhaul, it starts with intentional product choices and smart specification strategies. Here are a few actionable ways to bring nature into your next build:

1. Specify Natural and Sustainable Materials

Materials like wood, stone, and low-VOC finishes don’t just look natural - they feel natural, contributing to occupant comfort and healthier indoor air. On ARCAT, you can search thousands of building products by material type, sustainability certifications, or even Division to streamline your decision-making.

• Try This: Search “wood acoustic panels” or “sustainable wall finishes” on [Arcat.com arcat.com] to access product specs, Revit files, and manufacturers all in one place.

2. Use Daylighting and Views Strategically

Biophilic design thrives on natural light and outdoor connections. Specify glazing systems, interior glass walls, and light-directing solutions that balance energy performance with visual comfort.

• On ARCAT: Use SpecWizard to generate project-specific specs for curtain walls, skylights, and solar shading systems, customized for your performance goals.

3. Design for Movement and Engagement With Nature

Outdoor courtyards, green roofs, or even plant-filled atriums can elevate user experience. When these ideas are integrated early in the design phase, they become more cost-effective and easier to realize.

• ARCAT Tip: Browse Division 32 (exterior improvements) and Division 12 (Furnishings) to discover modular green walls, site furnishings, and even living building components to support nature-focused design.