At FOAID 2024, architect Vivek Singh Rathore of Salient Design Studio captivated the audience with a heartfelt, thought-provoking session on biophilic design — not just as a visual style, but as a philosophy that reconnects us to our elemental roots.
Reimagining Our Relationship with Nature
He opened the talk with an invitation to rekindle our love affair with the outdoors. He emphasized that humans are not separate from nature — we are nature. Through poetic narration and grounded architectural insights, he challenged the audience to shift away from synthetic environments and embrace design approaches that allow us to see, touch, feel, and celebrate the elements.
Nature as Experience, Not Aesthetic
Moving beyond token greenery or Instagrammable planters, Rathore explained that true biophilic design is immersive. From rippling shadows, aging textures, and moonlit corridors, to rain-drenched walkways and sun-warmed courtyards, he encouraged creating sensory touchpoints that echo the rhythms of nature.
He used evocative examples where courtyards were intentionally exposed to the sky, walls were designed to capture the choreography of sunlight and wind, and corridors encouraged rain play — all as part of restoring a human-to-element connection.
Design That Ages Gracefully
Another core tenet was the celebration of time in design. Instead of resisting weathering, Rathore advocated for structures that evolve: paint that fades, textures that rust, leaves that fall, and shadows that dance. In doing so, design becomes not static, but living — telling stories of change, memory, and human experience.
From Concept to Function
Illustrating his work in wellness retreats and adaptive reuse projects, Rathore demonstrated how natural forms, aromas, materials, and patterns can be integrated into function: chandeliers from natural vines, acoustic panels inspired by jasmine flowers, and tactile signage crafted from turmeric-dyed fabric.
Each element was not just symbolic, but performed — absorbing sound, cleansing air, or guiding users intuitively through a space.
Takeaways: Designing as Nature, Not for Nature
Rathore concluded with a powerful reminder: Biophilic design isn’t about decorating with nature — it’s about designing as nature. We must embrace unpredictability, texture, decay, and joy, letting buildings live, breathe, and age as we do.
In a world moving towards isolation and artificiality, his talk was a timely invitation to reconnect with our senses, our roots, and our environment — through architecture that feels, not just functions.
Don’t miss this talk if you’re interested in nature and biophilic design! Watch the full session now on FOAID’s YouTube Channel.
