The future of architecture is biophilic: the case of Kengo Kuma

Architecture is experiencing a green revolution with the emergence of biophilic buildings that blend urban spaces and nature to improve human and environmental well-being. Two projects by Kengo Kuma and Associates, one in Milan and the other in Japan, represent pioneering examples of this trend.

Located near Lambro Park, Kengo Kuma’s “Welcome, Feeling at Work” project is set to become a symbol of sustainability and architectural innovation in Milan. Commissioned by the Europa Risorse Group and financed by a fund managed by PineBridge BensonElliot, this building promises to be an example of what the offices of the future will look like.

The biophilic building will be carbon-neutral, using renewable energy, water recovery and consumption control. With a design that incorporates abundant vegetation, natural light, wood, and other organic materials, the building aims to stimulate the senses and improve occupants’ health and productivity. This approach departs from typical vertical buildings, opting instead for a horizontal structure that blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

Biophilic architecture is based on the principle of biophilia, a term coined by sociologist Erich Fromm and later expanded by biologist Edward Osborne Wilson. This concept reflects the innate human tendency to connect with nature and living things. Applied to architecture, it translates into spaces designed to promote physical and mental well-being, enhancing quality of life and productivity.

The principles of biophilic architecture include:

• Integration of nature: Use of natural elements such as plants, water and natural light within the buildings.
• Sustainable design: promotion of eco-friendly materials and sustainable building techniques.
• Visual connection with nature: creating spaces that provide views and visual connections with the surrounding natural environment.
• Spaces of refuge and perspective: designing environments that provide both sheltered spaces and expansive views, creating a sense of safety and openness.
• Natural materials: use of materials that evoke natural tactile and visual sensations, such as wood, stone and natural fabrics.
• Natural ventilation: building design that facilitates natural air flow, improving indoor air quality and reducing the use of artificial air conditioning systems.

“Welcome, Feeling at Work” will consist of six blocks with different heights, featuring interior courtyards and green terraces accessible to all. No fossil fuels will be used and circular materials will be favored, contributing to the sustainability of the entire project.

The new building will not only be a work space, but a multifunctional hub that will offer offices, coworking spaces, an auditorium, retail areas, and exhibition and event spaces. The building’s exterior will feature the use of wood and vegetation, in keeping with the distinctive style of Kengo Kuma. This project will not only improve the surrounding area, but also help redefine the urban face of Milan.

In parallel, Kengo Kuma completed the Kibi Kogen N Square in Kibichuo, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. This local creative space, developed around a co-working space and café, uses locally produced glulam wood. Overlapping glulam beams create a variety of spaces and openings that encourage collaboration and community connection, in collaboration with Okayama University.

Projects such as “Welcome, Feeling at Work” and Kibi Kogen N Square represent the cutting edge of biophilic architecture, demonstrating how sustainable design and nature can merge to create spaces that enhance urban life. With the completion of these projects, Kengo Kuma continues to redefine the way we live and work, placing nature and well-being at the center of modern architecture.