The Great Court of the British Museum in London is a magical place, one that embodies many aspects of biophilic design. Biophilic spaces support human wellbeing; they boost our mood—so we’re better at problem solving, creative thinking, and getting along with others, for starters—all of which can be great in public spaces where we mix with many people whom we don’t know. The Great Court is an indoor square where people from around the world coexist pleasantly.
The Great Court is flooded with natural light, which creates dappled patterns on the ground—natural light, particularly when dappled, is an important element of biophilic design. Many natural materials also are used in the Great Court, which makes the space seem warmer and more welcoming, as well as more biophilic.
Also consistent with biophilic design, visitors to the Great Court can choose to spend their time in the area in a number of ways and in a number of different postures. There are café seats and more isolated benches, for example.
The space also has real topography—a desirable element of biophilic design which is often hard to develop—the structure of the circular, tower like Reading Room in the middle of the area can be climbed via a staircase that winds its way up the outside of the Reading Room. The stairs provide vantage points from bottom to top that supply prospect and refuge (secure views over neighboring areas, an important component of biophilic design) as a person climbs.
The curving paths, technically known as deflected vistas, created by the paths around the Reading Room as well as the staircase, are another classic feature of biophilic design. They draw people forward through the space. All the curves in the walls of the Reading Room are a great foil for the rectilinear patterns, in the transparent ceiling, for example. This balance helps the space feel like a place a person could linger.
The high ceiling in the Great Court provides the nonverbal signal that the space is relatively formal, which in this context is a good thing because that formality cues us to behave politely. One positive result of this good behavior is people in the Great Court generally speak in relatively hushed tones, which keeps echoing off all of the hard surfaces present to a minimum.
Perhaps the most important nonverbal cue sent by the interior is the message that the British Museum is an important institution that wishes to remain valuable to its community as that community evolves—the combination of more classic and modern façades around the Great Court, all enclosed by one transparent roof, makes sure that message is conveyed, loud and clear.
The British Museum’s Great Court is an important space—it makes the diverse hoards of people who visit it everyday all feel comfortable, largely through its attention to biophilic design.