[{"command":"settings","settings":{"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"hm_theme","theme_token":"NETsmeYeu3vcYcAmWxxrGUUmaF47zZBq8GFlLV8CZi8","libraries":"eJwDAAAAAAE"},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"2af85631393b514cbde3779a1f71d92618d53b94b54ea1960d28b2e2d121ff12"}},"merge":true},{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/13432\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBringing the outdoors in: architecture that nurtures our connection with nature\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDr Carmen Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez likes to ride her bike in the Danish countryside. That is how she first discovered how closely post-war Danish architecture is linked to nature.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA practising architect, she was inspired to dive into the study of biophilic architecture, which allows people to enjoy the everyday benefits of being closer to nature from the comfort of their own homes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBiophilia means love of life. It relates to our innate need to be in contact with nature. There\u2019s a restoring effect that comes from being connected to the natural world,\u201d said Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez, who was also a postdoctoral researcher at\u0026nbsp;the Royal Danish Academy \u2013 Architecture, Design, Conservation, in Copenhagen and is currently an assistant professor at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EInside-outside\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThanks to funding from the EU, she has been able to build a bridge between architectural practice and academic research through her Nature-In project, which ran from 2020 to 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cArchitects have always been interested in improving people\u2019s lives, but this connection to nature is underexplored. I felt I could bring something innovative to my practice and also that of other European architects,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez hopes that her research could inform governments and architects alike on how to better integrate nature into the design of indoor spaces, particularly in urban environments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EArchitects have always been interested in improving people\u2019s lives, but this connection to nature is underexplored.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EDr Carmen Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez, Nature-In\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA visit to Japan brought another revelation. Travelling across the country, Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez came to appreciate how the Japanese have lived and built their houses for centuries with an \u201cinside-outside\u201d vision, designing functional buildings that allow their inhabitants to experience nature from the inside.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s an ancestral need to connect to nature,\u201d said Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez, who explains that the more people are trained to enjoy nature, the more benefits they get.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe explains that biophilic design is not only about placing plants everywhere. It is about being aware of nature in all its manifestations, such as daylight, water, materials, the passing of time and the forces of nature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ENature-based design\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow a recognised expert in the field, Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez has been invited to share her knowledge at this year\u2019s World Expo being held in Osaka, Japan, from 13 April to 13 October 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENature-based design features prominently at Expo 2025, which has been organised around the theme \u2018Designing future society for our lives\u2019.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a restoring effect that comes from being connected to the natural world.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EDr Carmen Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez, Nature-In\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;EU\u2019s \u2018Nurturing Tomorrow\u2019 pavilion was designed to embody the principles of the\u0026nbsp;New European Bauhaus \u2013 an initiative that seeks to transform our living spaces by merging sustainability, aesthetics and inclusivity. Those principles also align nicely with Nature-In\u2019s vision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with\u0026nbsp;Japanese architect and researcher\u0026nbsp;\u200bDr Ryo Murata, an associate professor in the Department of Architecture and Building Engineering at the Institute of Science Tokyo,\u0026nbsp;Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez will introduce visitors to the\u0026nbsp;traditional connection with nature in Japanese and Danish architecture.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, they will explore how to make cities and buildings more liveable through closer contact with nature and discuss how people can improve their health and well-being by designing their homes with nature in mind.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ENatural connection\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are not trivial questions. It is estimated that most people spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors. In densely populated cities, people have lost contact with the healing power of nature.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETransforming our indoor environments could increase our well-being and also strengthen our relationship with nature and, therefore, our willingness to preserve it. The closer we are to the natural world, the more we can appreciate it and want to protect it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez, it is important that the brain can perceive nature\u2019s natural rhythms: light and dark, for example, through exposure to natural light.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe points out that we experience nature through all our senses, so small details matter. This might be leaves outside casting shadows in a flat, the feel of wooden floors under bare feet, or even the smell of stones in a courtyard after the rain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNature is constantly telling us: \u2018I\u2019m here. You forgot it, but I\u2019m in the cities too. I\u2019m everywhere,\u2019\u201d she said. With climate change and extreme events such as floods, fires and earthquakes becoming more frequent, she believes that the need to reconnect with the natural world is becoming more urgent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEven the most extreme phenomena, such as earthquakes, are Mother Nature\u2019s way of reminding us that she\u2019s there.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe old anthropocentric approach that sees nature as something humans have to harness for their own benefit has become obsolete. To make a difference, we have to bring nature back into our lives. We need to live in it and with it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch in this article was funded by the EU\u2019s Horizon Programme. The views of the interviewees don\u2019t necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-bg-bluelightest tw-p-12 tw-my-12 tw--mx-16\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3 class=\u0022tw-font-sans tw-font-bold tw-text-blue tw-uppercase tw-text-lg tw-mb-8\u0022\u003EShowcasing EU research at the World Expo\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-inline-block tw-w-1\/6 tw-h-1 tw-bg-blue tw-mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOsaka, Japan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E13 April \u2013 13 October\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThis summer, millions of people from around the world will head to Osaka, Japan, for \u003Cstrong\u003EExpo 2025\u003C\/strong\u003E. At this global gathering, countries and regions will share how they\u2019re tackling some of today\u2019s biggest challenges, from sustainability and digital connectivity to inclusivity and security.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe central theme of this year\u2019s event is \u003Cstrong\u003EDesigning Future Society for Our Lives\u003C\/strong\u003E. Visitors will get a chance to see how \u003Cstrong\u003EEU-funded research\u003C\/strong\u003E is helping shape that future. The EU\u2019s \u003Cstrong\u003ENurturing Tomorrow\u003C\/strong\u003E pavilion reflects Europe\u2019s commitment to building a greener, more connected and inclusive world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe EU pavilion is hosting exhibitions, talks and interactive experiences that spotlight \u003Cstrong\u003Ecutting-edge EU research and innovation projects\u003C\/strong\u003E - all aimed at solving real-world problems and building international cooperation. Whether you\u2019re curious about the future of clean energy, digital tech, or inclusive design, there\u2019s something for everyone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe Nature-In project will be presented on 20 June, during the Health and Wellbeing week (from 20 June to 1 July). Visitors will be able to attend presentations and discussions with Dr Carmen Garcia S\u00e1nchez and Dr Ryo Murata on the health benefits of connecting with nature, followed by guided walks to designated pavilions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVirtual visit\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003ECan\u2019t go to Osaka? 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