It is assumed that since the beginning of time, humans have had an innate desire for unity with nature, but as civilization has evolved, it has become increasingly difficult to fulfill this desire, especially in densely populated urban areas where there is a focus on buildings and infrastructure rather than on maintaining human connection with nature. The concept of biophilic design has emerged as a major trend in contemporary architectural design and is being considered as an alternative to sustainable architecture. Unfortunately, despite its popularity, no effort has been made to comprehensively outline the etymological roots and historical evolution of the concept, as well as its integration into modern architecture. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature on biophilia, from its etymological roots to its integration into modern architecture. The approach taken in this review is a critical one, aimed at identifying and summarizing the existing relevant literature.

Keywords: biophilia, biophilic design, biophilic architecture, nature, architecture, environmental psychology, fromm, sustainability

The principles of biophilic design are becoming a key component of the architectural design of medical facilities due to the well-known psychological impact of natural elements on patients and medical staff. The inclusion of natural elements, such as the use of plants, natural light and shade, colors found in nature, and naturally occurring patterns and curves, in medical facilities has been shown to create a psychologically safe environment that promotes the health and well-being of patients and staff. This article explores the fundamental principles of biophilic design, the scientific evidence supporting its therapeutic effects, and practical examples of its use in healthcare settings to improve psychological health and well-being. This work contributes to the existing body of knowledge on biophilic design by providing an up-to-date review of recent research and real-world applications, including challenges

Keywords: biophilia, biophilic design, sustainable architecture, healthcare architecture, well-being, sustainability, biophilic architecture