Biophilic Design in Australia: A Conversation with Irina Liutaia from Design Mile

What is biophilic design?

Ply Online: Irina, people hear the term “biophilic design” everywhere now. What does it actually mean?

Irina: Biophilic design is about designing interiors that support the human connection with nature. It is not simply “green styling”. It is not only plants. It is about how a space feels to live in: natural light, ventilation, tactile materials, organic forms, views, natural textures, visual complexity, timber grain, shadow, seasonal change and a sense of calm.

In residential design, I see biophilic design as a way to make a home feel warmer. A home should not feel like a showroom. It should feel comfortable, breathable and connected to the natural world.

From a material point of view, plywood and European architectural panels are very strong tools because they bring warmth, visible grain, natural tactility and structural honesty into a room. They can be used for cabinetry, wall lining, ceilings, shelving, furniture, acoustic features and built-in joinery.

What are the three pillars of biophilic design?

Ply Online: Many designers refer to three pillars of biophilic design. What are they?

Irina: The commonly used three-pillar framework is quite simple:

Nature in Space

This is the direct presence of nature: plants, natural light, fresh air, water, views to gardens (the most loved among Australians), natural ventilation, fire, seasonal change, and living greenery.

Natural Analogues

These are indirect references to nature: timber grain, visible plywood layers, stone texture, curved forms, organic shapes, botanical patterns, natural colours, woven materials, cork, rattan, linen, wool and surfaces that remind us of natural systems.

Nature of the Space

This is about spatial feeling. For example, a room may provide a sense of refuge, openness, mystery, prospect, shelter or transition. A window seat, a plywood-lined reading nook, a curved hallway, a screened timber partition or a layered ceiling can all affect how safe, curious or calm a person feels.

This framework developed from the broader theory of biophilia, popularised by biologist E.O. Wilson, and later translated into architecture and design by researchers and practitioners including Stephen Kellert. 

The term itself was used earlier by Erich Fromm in The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness in 1973. Wilson later popularised the biological/evolutionary meaning through Biophilia in 1984 and the “biophilia hypothesis.” Britannica confirms Fromm’s earlier usage and Wilson’s later role.

Terrapin Bright Green’s well-known biophilic design work further organised these ideas into practical design patterns used by architects and designers today. 

What are the core principles of biophilic design for residential spaces?

Ply Online: What should Australian homeowners focus on first?

Irina: Start with the fundamentals before buying decorative objects.

First, improve natural light. Good daylight changes how wall panels look throughout the day. It also affects mood and comfort.

Second, use natural and honest materials. Timber, plywood, stone, ceramic, wool, linen and mineral finishes tend to age better emotionally than synthetic surfaces trying to imitate nature.

Third, create visual warmth. Textured architectural wall panels can soften a room without making it look rustic.

Fourth, design for touch. Biophilic interiors are not only visual. They should feel good under the hand: smooth plywood edges, softly finished timber, ribbed wall panels, tactile fabrics, matte surfaces and rounded details.

Fifth, connect the interior with the place. In Australia, biophilic design should respond to climate, orientation, sunlight, garden views, coastal conditions, bushland settings or urban density. A Melbourne townhouse, a Queenslander and a coastal holiday home should not use the same formula.

Finally, plan for longevity. Biophilic design should not be disposable styling. It should use durable materials, repairable furniture, flexible joinery and finishes that can be maintained.

What are biophilic design patterns?

Ply Online: The phrase “biophilic design patterns” appears often. What does it mean?

Irina: Biophilic design patterns are repeatable design strategies that help bring nature or nature-like experiences into the built environment.

Terrapin Bright Green’s original framework identified 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, including visual connection with nature, non-visual sensory connection, dynamic light, natural materials, complexity and order, prospect, refuge, mystery and risk/peril. The 2026 tenth-anniversary edition adds a fifteenth pattern: Awe.

In practical residential interiors, these patterns might look like plywood-lined ceiling that creates warmth and enclosure, a curved island bench or rounded joinery detail that softens circulation, or a darker, quiet bedroom palette that supports rest.

The important point is that patterns should serve people. They are not decorative tricks. They should improve comfort, orientation, mood, acoustics, and - that's crucial! - privacy or connection.

Top-rated biophilic design products available for purchase in Australia

Ply Online: What products would you recommend for homeowners, builders and designers working with biophilic interiors?

Irina: I would divide them into practical categories rather than chasing one “hero product”.

1. Acoustic timber and plywood-based wall panels
Biophilic design should also consider sound. A beautiful room that echoes badly does not feel calming. Acoustic panels, ribbed timber features and perforated plywood panels can help control reverberation while adding texture.

2. Bamboo panels and cladding
Bamboo brings a strong natural character and can be useful for screens, feature walls, ceiling accents and furniture details. It suits interiors where warmth, sustainability and visible fibre are part of the concept.

3. Textured European architectural panels
Architectural wall panels, decorative plywood and textured surfaces are useful where a designer wants depth without visual clutter. They can reference bark, rhythm, shadow, grain and natural repetition.

4. Natural fibre rugs and soft furnishings
Wool, jute, linen and cotton help soften harder timber surfaces. They also add the sensory layer that many modern interiors lack.

5. Indoor plants and integrated planters
Plants are still important, but they should be integrated properly. Built-in plywood planter boxes, window ledges, shelves and vertical garden structures make greenery feel intentional rather than temporary.

Where can I buy biophilic design furniture and décor online in Australia?

Ply Online: Where should people look online?

Irina: For the material base, start with specialist suppliers. For plywood, European panels, wall linings, bamboo panels, acoustic panels and architectural sheet materials, Ply Online is a practical source because these products can be used by designers and homeowners for custom biophilic interiors.

For completed furniture and décor, Australians can look for local furniture makers, independent joiners, sustainable homeware stores, plant suppliers, ceramic artists, lighting studios and marketplaces that support Australian-made or small-batch production.

I would advise to avoid buying random “biophilic style” décor without a plan. The room should be designed first: light, layout, material palette, storage, acoustic comfort, furniture scale and maintenance. Décor comes after that.

How plywood supports biophilic design

Ply Online: Why is plywood such a strong material for biophilic interiors?

Irina: Plywood is honest. You can see how it is made. The grain, the layers and the edges tell a material story.

In biophilic interiors, plywood can do several things at once. It can be structural, decorative, warm, tactile and practical. A birch plywood wall unit can provide storage, display, texture and visual calm. A plywood ceiling can make a room feel more intimate. A curved plywood feature can soften a sharp modern space.

European architectural panels are especially useful because they allow designers to achieve a refined natural look without relying on heavy solid timber everywhere. They are also very versatile for custom joinery, furniture and wall applications.

What are the challenges of biophilic design?

Ply Online: What mistakes do you see?

Irina: The first mistake is treating biophilic design as a trend. If someone simply adds plants, rattan and green paint, the result may look fashionable for a year but not necessarily function well.

The second challenge is maintenance. Living plants need light, water and care. Timber and plywood need the right finish. Wet areas need careful detailing. Edges, joints and ventilation matter.

The third challenge is moisture. Australia has very different climates: humid coastal areas, dry inland regions, our cold Melbourne winters, hot western-facing rooms and wet bathrooms. Product selection must match the application. Interior plywood, exterior plywood, marine plywood, coated panels and fire-rated panels are not interchangeable.

The fourth challenge is budget control. Biophilic design can become expensive if every item is custom. A good designer knows where to spend and where to simplify. Sometimes one plywood feature wall, a well-designed built-in unit and better lighting will do more than buying many decorative items.

The fifth challenge is balance. Too much timber can feel heavy. Too many plants can feel cluttered. Too many textures can feel chaotic. Biophilic design works best when there is rhythm, restraint and a clear material hierarchy.

What are the biophilic design trends in 2026?

Ply Online: What do you see becoming more important in 2026?

Irina: I see several strong directions.

Warmer timber interiors

The move away from cold white minimalism is continuing. Natural wood kitchens, darker timber tones, visible grain and handmade character are becoming more desirable in residential interiors. Recent 2026 design reporting also points to natural wood kitchens, tactile surfaces, reclaimed woods and more lived-in interiors.

Curves and softer geometry

Curved joinery, rounded island benches, arched openings and organic furniture forms are becoming more common. These shapes feel more natural and less rigid than sharp rectangular interiors. Designers are also discussing curves as a major 2026 direction. 

Tactile wall and ceiling treatments

Flat white plasterboard is losing dominance. Ribbed panels, plywood ceilings, timber battens, textured wall panels and acoustic surfaces are being used to create depth and comfort.

Integrated wellness rooms

Bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices and reading corners are being designed as restorative spaces. This does not mean luxury spa clichés. It means better light, quieter acoustics, calmer colours, natural materials and less visual stress.

Local identity rather than imported sameness

Australian biophilic design should not blindly copy Scandinavian, Japanese or Mediterranean interiors. Those influences can be beautiful, but the best homes respond to Australian light, landscape, climate and lifestyle.

How can homeowners start with biophilic design without renovating the whole house?

Ply Online: What is a realistic starting point?

Irina: Start with one room and one problem. If the room feels cold, add timber warmth through plywood shelving, a wall panel, a desk, a bench seat or a ceiling feature. If the room feels noisy, consider acoustic panels, rugs, curtains and softer surfaces. If the room feels dark, improve lighting before buying more décor. If the room feels cluttered, build storage that uses natural materials rather than adding more objects.

And, at the end of the day, if the room feels disconnected from outside, reframe the window area. A seat, plants, timber sill or plywood shelving around a window can make the view feel more intentional.

Biophilic design does not need to be expensive. It needs to be thoughtful.