What is Biocentric Design?
Biocentrism is the idea that all living things have intrinsic value. It is time for this concept to be implemented into our architectural designs. We need to create a better balance between our built and natural environments.
The Biocentric Design Model
The biocentric design model is something I created based loosely on the strong model of sustainability. Architecture is designed BY people WITHIN the environment. This hierarchal model indicates that sustainable and anthropological considerations must be met when designing a building.
Sustainability: does the design interact positively with the environment?
Anthropology: does the design meet the needs of the people who will be interacting with the space?
Architecture: does the design successfully take anthropology and sustainability into account?
Anthropology is the study of humans. Architecture is the practice of designing buildings FOR humans.
There is more to a building than just its structure. Architecture creates a space, but it is people that create the meaning within that space. In order to understand architecture, we need to understand people. Anthropologists study human behavior and gain valuable insights into how a building can be improved to meet the needs of people. From a biocentric perspective, we would design in a way that positively impacts human comfort and well-being while using materials and methods that have the least impact on the environment.
Past, Present, and Future
Architecture is intertwined with history. It has been a significant part of human culture for thousands of years. Each structure has a story and a purpose. Now, architectural design is on the brink of change. Architecture is beginning to introduce human-centered research into the design process. This will improve how people interact with their built environment.
Family Farm, 1973
At the same time, the industry is prioritizing sustainability more than it has in the past. Buildings are being designed while consciously measuring and reducing their impact on the natural environment. The future of architecture is moving to a place that will restore the harmony between people and nature. We are capable of designing a world that supports all living things.
Family Farm, 2023
About Me
I am a recent graduate from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and a double minor in Architecture and Engineering. I am passionate about exploring the relationship between people and their built or natural environments. I am looking for an entry-level job or internship in architecture that incorporates the social component into the physical space.
I have a passion for increasing the interaction between architecture, anthropology, and sustainability. In my construction logistics class, I applied my architectural knowledge to a real design project where my team and I built a complex railing for the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. In addition, my semester-long research project used mixed methods research to determine how architectural conditions influence human behavior. My study abroad experience allowed me to explore the connection between anthropology and architecture further in a different culture.
Sustainability is something that has always been of interest to me. It started in high school Model UN, where I attended conferences discussing climate change policies and innovations from the perspective of different countries. I also recently participated in a biohydrogen fuel research project, which taught me about sustainable solutions in the engineering field.
I am sure that my experiences and multifaceted knowledge will give me a unique perspective and creative problem solving skills that can be applied to your company.