We are profoundly influenced and nurtured by the natural patterns found in nature. These patterns are imprinted in our physiological and cognitive system. They attract us, keep us present and help reduce our stress levels.
When we spend time in environments devoid of natural patterns, it can lead to anxiety and stress which in the short term reduces productivity, and in the long term can lead to illness.
By using the features found in living and natural forms, there are enormous opportunities to create healing built environments.
Studies are starting to uncover just what makes a particular work of art or wallpaper, visually appealing. This means, we may be able to improve the experience of those who occupy homes, public spaces, and commercial buildings by incorporating natural patterns. The patterns shown below are examples of those found in nature that can be incorporated into our interior design.
These are patterns that repeat the same shape but in different sizes. In nature they appear everywhere - think of leaf veins, tree limbs, rivers and streams, lightening, blood vessels, crystals, ferns, seedheads, even cloud formations.
When we look at fractal patterns, our brains feel at ease. Looking at them can be actively relaxing.
Imagine a snail shell. It starts off in the centre with a very tight, tiny curl. Each successive ring gets wider, growing the shell exponentially.
This pattern is present all over nature - from molluscs to rams' horns, spiders' webs to the nerves of the cornea.
Spirals relate to the golden ratio, a form the human eye is capable of interpreting faster than any other.
Symmetry comes in lot of different forms - a pair of butterfly wings, the two sides of the human face, the petals of a daisy or a sea anemone.
When not overused, can be successful in interiors because it's predictable and comforting.
Curves may have evolved as a survival advantage for recognizing food, avoiding predators or danger, and finding mates, whereas hard jagged-edged forms are read as inorganic or lifeless, or even uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.
According to studies, we prefer and find spaces more beautiful when there are curved shapes present rather than sharp and straight edged ones.
In nature, these attractive patterns are used for protection and survival of the species.
Whether laid on the floor, on the walls or in fabric or upholstery, spots and stripes visually lead the eye away, creating a neat space-enhancing trick.
Our preference for softly curving formsas non-threatening, safe objects, may explain why we prefer these forms over straight ones.
Thanks to its gentle and pleasant features, these shapes evoke calmness and peacefulness.
