Biophilia supports the proposition that urban environments need to be integrated with ’nature’ for reasons of psychological health as well as environmental fit: a growing body of scientific study indicates that humans need daily contact with nature to be productive and healthy, have evolved as part of nature, and are interdependent and interconnected to nature and other forms of life (Beatley, 2011). 

 

"While biophilia is the theory, biophilic design as advocated by Kellert et al. (2008) and Beatley (2010) internationally involves a process that offers a sustainable design strategy that incorporates reconnecting people with the natural environment. Beatley has evidenced the validity of this approach in Biophilic Cities (2010) for pointing to numerous exemplars and precedents that can enable the successful implementation of this process" (Philip Roös). BioMIMESIS design put the biophilia hypothesis into practice at an urban and peri-urban scale, proposing a new "resilient community" model that integrates  biophilic elements, together with biomimicry and permaculture. 

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The freeDOME "Bio(philic)Camp” is an adaptable, scalable and integrated pilot project, as a new solution for the ecological and social recovery of otherwise derelict, fragile or under-used urban, suburban or rural zones in a resilient, flexible and inclusive way and their networking. The camps will serve as self-sufficient farms for hosting the autonomous bio(mimetic)Pods and will be distinguished by their high connectivity, accessibility and environmentally-friendly features. The ‘agri Camp’ will represent “open-sky hubs" where the individuals, through their “bio-shell" will be able to work or study remotely, reducing traffic, emission and in the same time collaborating with the ecosystem, as  ladybugs do. The ‘urban Camp’, seen as smarter sharing-neighborhoods for the 21st century millennials living, are also envisioned as new urban transformation engines, which will render a new land use and gentrification culture to fuse seamlessly within the dense urban fabric. Acting as engines for PED (positive energy districts), they should be placed at 20 minutes walking distance and be connected with the suburban and 'rural Camps' through greenways or "ecological corridors” for bikes and the Pods.

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"For most of the current crops of young adults, nature is fairly abstract and rather general. They grew up in an age of computer games, indoor living, and diminished free time. It is probably not surprising that common species of native flora and fauna are not immediately recognisable, but it is an alarming indicator of how we have become disconnected from nature." (Beatley, 2011).

Luckily, as statistics show,  young adults, (Millennials), are becoming more environmental responsible, they are incline to eat healthier food, training more,  invest more in 'green products' and share. Instead of owning a house or a car they prefer to live in more flexible, adaptable, shareable and resilient environments within vibrant walkable urban or peri-urban neighborhoods (NewBurbs) and  their houses are often used as places to connect, work, buy or studying online, mainly remotely and  from different locations (teleworking).  They are shaping new societies, new  lifestyles and defining new models of housing affordability. Being on line all the time, instead of spacious environments to warm up and cool down, they should have more outdoor spaces for connecting more physically with people and the environment. An environments in which they can lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests, and where they can develop their full potential.

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"The more we know about nature the more we want to protect it." Janine Benyus

freeDOME is a "Ladybug Living Lab" which aims at providing to young adults, and so to the future generations, an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable system, that allows them to live a more sustainable life and REDUCE THEIR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT. The method is providing them with a simple shelter as green solution for accommodation, work and commuting, and with a community system which allows them to  connect and share, grow their own food and develop a new form of work-life balance. A new environment that can lead them to a more inclusive, healthy, active and sustainable lifestyle, simply learning from social insects, or  from the the complex but sustainable world of past civilisations. 

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