A curved skylight in this house by architect Shaun Carter allows daylight and moonlight to stream into the centre of the house. More: carterwilliamson.com Picture: Katherine Lu
If you’ve ever spent time walking through the bush or felt the sand between your toes at the beach, you already understand the calming effects of connecting with nature.
But when we’re all being directed to stay at home, it can be hard to get the benefits.
This house at Mona Vale designed by architect Richard Cole is designed to let the sun penetrate deep into the living space. Picture: Simon Wood
Honorary Assoc Prof Mardie Townsend from the Faculty of Health at Deakin University says the jury is in on the advantages of interacting with nature.
“We know anecdotally that nature is good for us,” she says. “There is a lot of research that backs that up from Australia, Sweden, the UK and the US. Contact with nature reduces stress, provides relaxation and creates a sense of calm.”
The Iron Maiden house designed and built by C+C Architectural Workshop has a water feature running through it and internal garden space that can be enjoyed from the inside as well. Picture: Murray Fredericks
While she says the best results come from being in nature, it’s possible to achieve similar results by designing your spaces well.
Architect Richard Cole has designed houses for sites around Sydney blessed with views of the ocean or the bush. He says the need to connect with the natural world, even when we’re not in it, is primal.
“(American architect) Grant Hildebrand talks about the instinctual need of humans to be attracted to spaces that have natural shelter going back to the evolution of humans living in caves,” he says.
“It’s something I think about when starting with a concept. Often it will have an enclosing wall and a site that opens to a deck.”
The need to connect with nature is part of being human. From this house designed by architect Matt Elkan you can see the trees, hear the wind in the leaves and enjoy the smell of the bush. Picture: Clinton Weaver
High windows that let in the sun or natural elements that will create patterns on the floors or walls indoors, such as a mature tree, rippled glass or a water source allow us to feel a part of nature without being in it.
“Louvres can provide beautiful shadow effects when you open them up and the light bounces off them,” Cole says. “We often use water features in our work.
“If you have a fountain or an overflow, you get the sound of trickling water which can be soothing and can mask the sounds you don’t want, like traffic.”
Raked ceilings in this house by Richard Cole allow for highlight windows to let in light and to hear the sound of the rain on the roof during storms. Picture: John Fotiadis
Even the sound of rain on the roof can have a calming effect at a time when stress levels are high. Townsend says nature can be restorative.
“Getting in touch with nature can be used therapeutically for healing,” she says.
More: richardcolearchitecture.com.au
The post How to experience nature without leaving your home appeared first on realestate.com.au.