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Reimagining famous landmarks of biophilic design,
Biophilic design is based on integrating nature and its elements into the interior and exterior construction of urban areas,
creating a permanent link between architectural projects and nature.
This connection, in turn, leads to the maintenance of the necessary link between man and his natural environment,
and his innate tendency to seek connections with living systems as a form of life.
Literally translated as ‘love of life’, biophilia explains humans’ innate attraction to the dynamic and beautiful world of nature.
Where biophilic design is all about bringing the outdoors in and creating a healthy living environment,
although humans may not realize it, they have a strong connection to nature,
and reconnecting with the environment should be at the top of our priority list all of us.
Numerous studies have shown that biophilic design improves many aspects of life,
and incorporating nature into the décor can create a peaceful environment.
It provides the person with a better emotional and mental recovery,
and reduces feelings of tension, anxiety, confusion, frustration and fatigue.
The architectural team, at Bloom & Wild, has been interested to see what some of the world’s most famous landmarks
would look like if they were reimagined using Biophilic Design.
Working with a team of architects, urban designers and graphics, a dynamic design concept was used to help re-imagine 7 iconic landmarks,
with a particular focus on the plants, landscapes and ecology of each site.
Below are the seven iconic landmarks that the team has been inspired to redesign with life in mind.
Tower Bridge
It was built between 1886 and 1894, and was designed to help ease traffic while still allowing access to much of the Thames.
The team chose to redesign the bridge using inspiration from Britain’s historic association with grand manor houses and their perfectly maintained gardens,
with the bushes covering the towers.
Carefully inspired blooms are found within each crevice of the team’s springtime collection that includes snapdragon,
lysianthus, friez, and meadow foliage.
Reimagining famous landmarks of biophilic design
Ivy covers the tops of the towers, with the structure supported
by an intricate network of ropes to resemble Britain’s connection to medieval history.
There are also several small mirrors on the underside of the bridge to connect the upper parts of the towers,
and these mirrors were positioned to reflect the ever-growing skyline of London while allowing pedestrians to see part of themselves
in one of London’s most iconic buildings.
2. Taj Mahal
Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in 1632 as a tomb for his favorite wife,
which is currently one of the most visited tourist places in India, as it is considered a symbol of eternal love.
While redesigning it, the team of designers transformed the iconic columns,
inspired by the famous walkway trees of India.
On top of the columns are some of the famous Indian geraniums, or Ixora coccinea,
and plants hang delicately behind the forward-facing arches, also covering many of the building’s exterior walls.
An extensive network of water bridges was built in place of the famous reflecting pool in front of the Taj Mahal,
to signify the importance of water in Indian cultures.
Sydney Opera House
It is one of the most famous pieces of architecture of the 20th century,
and is also used as a multi-venue center for the performing arts.
The team has transformed the opera house into a structure that symbolizes their signature countryside,
inspired by the iconic Australian landscape and environment.
The classic shells have also been redesigned to reflect Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock,
while the dome-like exteriors are made of reef-like materials found in the Great Barrier Reef.
The shells are also painted with indigenous Australian plants and flowers such as eucalyptus and Banksia.
4. Statue of Liberty
The French gifted it to the United States of America in 1886, to commemorate their alliance during the Revolution.
In a redesign of the country’s most prominent landmarks,
the team covered the statue with moss so that it changes with the great American seasons.
Then trees and grassy areas were also executed to represent Manhattan’s famous spring or fall seasons
and to connect the statue to America’s extensive network of forests and famous national parks.
The team built a spiral walkway to the base of the tower in order to add a touch of modernity to the statue,
and then they converted the famous flame into a fountain,
in order to signify its connection with the great lakes of America and the surrounding coast.
Eiffel Tower
Built in 1887, the Eiffel Tower took center stage at the 1889 World’s Fair which demonstrated innovative,
modern French mechanical designs.
While redesigning it, the team took care to keep the original design simple,
with the ground below the tower lined with lavender, the traditional flower of the French countryside.
Shelves containing France’s second most beloved flower, the sunflower,
are placed on each level of the structure.
Lavender also coats the stairs as well as the observation decks and top of the tower,
creating a beautiful lilac floral statement.
Holy Family
It is a small Roman Catholic cathedral, and is considered the oldest building project in the world,
although construction began in it since 1882, it was never completed until today.
Largely due to its interruption due to the Spanish Civil War,
about 70% of its construction has been completed and is expected to be completed entirely in 2026.
Reimagining famous landmarks of biophilic design
The team used a bedrock of hanging Mediterranean plants such as geraniums and durantas that encase the church,
in the redesign of the landmark.
The body of the church was then lined with diamond-shaped colored mirrors.
These mirrors are gently decorated with red, orange and pink cut-outs,
resembling flowers native to Spain such as Lantanas, Gazania and Bougainvillea.
Water is sprayed from the tops of the towers, and the rays are divided Light into several beautiful rainbows,
mirror flowers also sit in the ponds surrounding the Holy Family for more beauty and exotic color.
Great Pyramid of Giza “Pyramid of Khufu”
The Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World,
built around 2560 BC and still mostly intact to this day.
The current pyramid’s shape has been redesigned with lush greenery,
and the sand dunes reflected in the wave structure are inspired by architect Chad Oppenheim’s interpretation of the corresponding landscape.
Finally, the team returned the Sphinx to its former glory by reconstructing the exterior
and placing thousands of beautiful twigs to give it a touch of fur.
