BEYOND BIOPHILIA AT ARCHITECT MAGAZINE

The ARCHITECT magazine published an article named “Beyond Biophilia: Tracing the Origin of the Fractals Movement” featuring our collaboration with Mohawk Group and Prof. Richard Taylor from Fractals Research as well as numerous collections.

Biophilic design is rooted in the human need to connect with nature. Rather than simply copying natural forms, it seeks to understand and apply the principles by which nature creates patterns. Fractals – self-repeating structures found throughout nature – play a key role, as scientific research shows they can measurably reduce stress and support human well-being.

This thinking led to the collaboration between Mohawk Group and 13&9 Design, initiated by the question of how nature generates patterns. Together with physicist Dr. Richard Taylor, fractal research was translated into commercial flooring tile design. Collections such as Fractal Findings, Fractal Fluency, Relaxing Floors and brought these principles into real-world interiors across different applications and budgets.

The ScienceDesignLab emerged as a unique framework where science and design intersect. It focused on converting validated scientific research – particularly fractal dimension studies – into manufacturable, high-performance flooring. A key challenge was maintaining the critical fractal properties through cutting, installation, and scale, ensuring the scientific integrity of the designs in built environments.

The vision behind this work is to merge scientific validation with creative practice to shape healthier, more adaptive spaces. By calibrating fractal characteristics to specific spatial functions, Mohawk Group advances interiors that support mental health, neurodiversity, and resilience in contemporary environments.