Living in and with nature is not a new trend, it is an attitude to life that has existed for more than 2,000 years in the most diverse cultures. The technical term for this inclination towards the plant world is Planthroposcene and the following article shows how valuable this can be.
We are currently once again or still in the so-called Planthroposcene Era. This refers to a time in which the closely interwoven community of people and nature is the focus. Both can exist harmoniously together and complement each other wonderfully. Plants not only bring people joy and relaxation, they also provide oxygen, a good indoor climate and serve as nutrition. So you can’t do without them. The only question that remains is where to put the valuable greenery?
In the Planthroposcene Era everything is nature
Supporters of the Planthroposcene Era would advise simply placing them in the middle of the living space or workplace and directly benefiting from the many advantages there. Gone seem the days when plants were exclusively found in public green spaces, private gardens and fields. In the meantime, every space, whether public or private, outdoors or indoors, has become a wonderful world of plants. No wonder that an offshoot of this attitude towards greening the human habitat is biophilia. For those to whom this is still a foreign word, it means “love of the living”, i.e. the creation of an urban landscape and an interior through and with plants.
Where is the border to biophilia?
No wonder that the two terms are very closely interwoven. So closely that some architects find it difficult to draw a clear line. And that doesn’t have to be the case, since both have so many advantages in their love and proximity to nature. Room concepts are not only loosened up and relaxing when large plants and small highlights are draped around. This also visibly improves the room climate. It is also helpful in creating good acoustics in open-plan offices, for example. Large plants paired with natural bridges in the form of water walls, natural woods or indoor fountains can play their part here. A more broadly conceived part, one of biophilia. In the case of Planthroposcene, these concepts are left out; it is mainly about integrating plants into the living space. Here it is basically enough to put small cacti on the windowsill or a rubber tree in a pot in the corner of the room. That’s a start and relaxation can begin, according to your own taste and the space available.
History revisited
The Planthroposcene Era is by no means a new concept, in fact it is a very old one. As early as 12,000 years ago, people brought plants into their dwellings. However, these were not part of an aesthetic concept, but rather pure necessity. They brought what they needed for food, and where was the valuable small harvest better protected than in their own cave? After all, you didn’t want wild animals to steal your food. Considering that there were no factories for professional large-scale production of sufficient food, this was a logical conclusion. Protect the plants and thereby protect yourself.
Planthroposcene Era in the Modern Era
Of course, things are no longer quite so wild in modern times, but simply more mindful. More and more guidebooks are flooding onto the market filled with recommendations and ideas on how interior design with plants not only works practically, but above all stylishly. More and more architects are also dedicating their designs to buildings that are intended for living but also for relaxation and care. Corresponding projects can be found all over the world. They all have one thing in common: they focus on plants and thus on life. Be it in the form of roof terraces, green roofs, balconies or entire facades.
Image copyright: Milkos
