Stunning new botanical art displays at the Manningham Civic Centre provide inspiration for bringing the natural world into your own home or workplace.
The displays, on show until Spring, are by artist Kayla Moon, of floristry business xfloss, and are examples of biophilic design.
Biophilic design is about increasing our connection to the natural world within our built environment.
Kayla specialises in unusual large-scale sculptural pieces that combine different materials, colours and structural elements that are both beautiful and thought-provoking.
“Our work is unconventional because of the style of the materials that we use,” Kayla said.
“I love to create sculptures that are big floral monsters - more unusual, even grotesque – beautiful but a bit terrifying.”
Indeed, Kayla’s displays in the foyers of the Civic Centre and MC Square feature the dried and preserved weed Amaranthus, highlighting the beauty of what could considered a ‘monster’ outside its native environment.
Kayla has combined the Amaranthus with the air plant Old Man’s Beard, Papyrus Sedge, and branches of Corokia to create beautiful sculptural displays.
“I’ve brought together different types of plants at different stages of their lifecycle – weeds, airplants, bushes and deciduous plants. I think it provides insights into natural materiality and the beauty of nature and how you can use flowers, twigs, rocks and other natural items as a medium.”
Biophilia refers to our innate connection with nature and was first coined by psychologist Eric Fromm in 1964. The word biophilia originates from the Greek words ‘bio’, meaning life, and ‘philia’, meaning ‘love of’, resulting in ‘in a love of life or living things’.
In our modern world, biophilic design supports connection to the natural world through practical design principals such as the use of natural shape and forms, environmental features, light and space.
Bringing the natural world into our home and work environments has many health benefits, including relieving stress and improving our mental and physical wellbeing.
You, too, can bring biophilic design into your own home or workplace. Try some of these tips:
- Live plants: One of the easiest ways to bring biophilic design into your home is through live plants. Spider plants, snake plants, rubber plants and peace lilies are all known for their air purifying abilities and look good too.
- Texture and shape: Decorate your home with textures and shapes that replicate what you might find in nature. Materials such as wood, clay, cork or wool add a natural feel or you could find objects that mimic the patterns and forms of our natural world.
- Colour: In colour psychology, green is known to calm and rejuvenate, so think about bringing natural colours into your home that make you feel peaceful and bring you a sense of joy, seek inspiration from sunsets, waterways and green spaces.
- Light: If you can, position desks or communal areas around windows to optimise natural light. Reflective surfaces such as stainless-steel bench tops and mirrors can help make a small space feel brighter and more expansive.
- Airflow: Open windows when you can to ensure natural air flow or invest in an air purifier.
- Scent: Can be a powerful sensory experience. Use diffusers, candles, incense, or natural cleaning products in the home, think about natural scents such as lavender or citrus and made from natural or non-toxic ingredients. You might want to try growing herbs like rosemary, mint or thyme on your windowsill – they smell fantastic, and you can cook with them, too.
Find out more about biophilic design from the Living Future Institute Australia.
Join us for our Inspired Living Series where you can learn about sustainable ideas from inspiring speakers throughout the year.
Image: Artist Kayla Moon puts the finishing touches to her botanical art display in the foyer of the Civic Centre.
