Biophilic Design: An Experiment in Teaching Furniture Design Studio

Abstract

In response to increasing societal concerns for environmental issues, there is a growing demand for products that are both functional and eco-friendly. This study investigates how integrating nature-inspired furniture design into educational curricula prepares students for the evolving demands of the design industry. Conducted within an undergraduate furniture design studio, students were tasked with creating nature-inspired furniture, emphasising sustainability. The article examines how this approach enhances student creativity, fosters an appreciation for biophilia and encourages sustainable design practices, highlighting the pedagogical benefits of nature-inspired design. Research methodologies, including observations, focus groups and surveys, were designed to describe and categorise student learning experiences and the advantages of a nature-inspired design pedagogy. Findings indicate that using nature as design inspiration positively influences student creativity, encourages innovative concept exploration and fosters environmental empathy, thereby integrating biophilic and sustainable design principles into their work and enhancing their creative skills.