The Art of Communing in Nature by Lex Beech // Designer's Perspective
The Art of Communing in Nature
The word ‘commune’ conjures a multitude of meanings, not least to gather; To communicate; Even to commune spiritually. All these ideas could be applied to communing with nature. It’s the innate human desire for belonging and a sense of ‘place’, that drives us consistently into our natural surroundings. An almost tribal instinct, dating back to indigenous peoples, to gather in this experience of being in the wilderness, at one with nature, providing a joyous reaction that fuels us and provides for us, not just physically but mentally.
Since the pandemic and our awareness of the climate crisis, we have realised how much of our well-being is entwined with being outdoors and in the natural environment. Never has this connection been more desirable or sought after. Doctors now prescribe gardening to aid mental health. Houseplants sales have gone up exponentially. Books such as Lucy Jones’ ‘Losing Eden’ and ‘Walking in the Woods’ by Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki shine a light on meditation and forest bathing, and how beneficial these interactions with the wild are for our health and happiness.
“Today many of us live indoor lives, disconnected from the natural world as never before. And yet nature remains deeply ingrained in our language, culture and consciousness. For centuries, we need communion with the wild to feel well. Now, in the moment of our great migration away from the rest of nature, more and more scientific evidence is emerging to confirm its place at the heart of our psychological well-being”. Jones, L. 2020.
Architecture has provided the point at which the intangible emotions of being in nature can be artfully expressed with the tangible need for a retreat and sanctuary from the world. It should connect the occupants to the wider environment by a dissolving of barriers, experiencing the bliss and sanctuary of the natural world. One way to achieve this is through Biophilic design, meaning to incorporate nature into our built environments, and this is the theory at the forefront of our consciousness when designing spaces. Not only through use of plants and foliage but through creating atmosphere and exploring the senses with innovative, natural and sustainable materials that evoke the feeling you’re surrounded by nature. It is through design that we can create an immersive experience designed to solidify the understanding of our place in the world and its healing benefits upon us.
Words by
Lex Beech
Interior Designer, NC Studio