Biophilic Interior Design Matrix.

SALINGAROS

I first read about a Biophilic Index in SALINGAROS, N. A. The Biophilic Index Predicts Healing Effects of the Built Environment. 2019.

Salingaros proposes a "Biophilic Index”: a numerical scale (0-20) to predict the positive health effects of built environments on their occupants. The index can be used to assess existing spaces and inform new designs. The 10 factors are:

  1. Sunlight

  2. Color

  3. Gravity

  4. Fractals

  5. Curves

  6. Detail

  7. Water

  8. Life

  9. Representations-of-nature

  10. Organized-complexity

This quantitative approach contrasts with current architectural practices by offering a more objective method for evaluating and improving the health benefits of buildings and urban spaces. Salingaros suggests further research to refine the index and investigate the underlying neurological mechanisms of the biophilic effect, however his index is simple and accessible.

MCGEE & MARSHALL-BAKER

In later readings I discovered the work of MCGEE, B. & MARSHALL-BAKER, A. 2015. Loving Nature From the Inside Out: A Biophilia Matrix Identification Strategy for Designers. Herd, 8, 115-30.

The authors developed a matrix to assist designers in identifying and quantifying biophilic features within interior spaces. Based on Stephen Kellert’s (2008) 72 principles of biophilic design, the matrix was tested in order to document biophilia within the pediatric healthcare context.

Of the 72 principles, 19 were discarded for the matrix as the authors deemed them more relevant to the outdoor landscape than building interior, or they could not be visually measured as part of the building. (For example, sunlight. The matrix includes “natural light” as a measurable item). The Matrix works on a scoring protocol: presence of a biophilic attribute receives a point. The visual inventory approach allows for interiors to be scaled utilising photographic documentation.

Although copywrited, McGee & Marshall-Baker made the matrix widely available, allowing reserachers to test and modify the matrix in varied settings.

A full version of the matrix is available on Beth McGee’s website here

With a reference guide here

BERTO & BARBIERO

Through Salingaros references I reviewed the work of BERTO, R. & BARBIERO, G. 2017. The Biophilic Quality Index: A tool to improve a building from "green" to restorative. Visions for Sustainability.

  1. Berto & Barbiero’s index is based upon 5 categories:

  2. The building in its context (the network)

  3. The individual spaces within the building

  4. Opportunities for visual contact with nature

  5. If a garden/backyard/terrace/patio is present

  6. Non-visual contact with nature

  7. Sustainability

Within these are multiple subcategories, which allows for a more comprehensive evaluation. However it is impossible to analyse the index in it’s entireity, as the index is registered with the Società Italiana Autori ed Editori (SIAE) in Rome as a proprietory tool. There is little information about it elsewhere. For my pruposes - and i’d suggest many others- this does not render the index useful. It seems almost antipodal to the ethos of biophilic design. As salingaros states: “Neither the general public, nor interested researchers can work with an index that is kept a trade secret” (P.11)

MOHAMMED, ONUR & CAGNAN

An instance of adapting McGee & Marshall-Baker’s Matrix for review of educational interiors is MOHAMMED, I., ONUR, Z. & ÇAğNAN, Ç. 2023. An Exploration of Biophilic Design Features within Preschool Interiors. Sustainability, 15. The researchers aimed to explore the presence of biophilic design features within preschool interiors in Duhok, Iraq. They employed a photographic approach to document biophilic attributes in 59 interior spaces across six preschools, and quantified these through an adapted version of mcGee & Marshall-Baker’s matrix.