In the design of water parks, there is a growing trend towards incorporating natural elements and creating an organic, welcoming atmosphere. This principle is known as biophilic design, which responds to the human need to connect with nature. The deliberate integration of vegetation, light and, more generally, natural patterns into the design transforms the leisure space into something akin to a sanctuary. After all, the rush of adrenaline as people hurtle down the water slides does not clash with the calm of the surroundings; if anything, the two complement each other.
By interweaving green walls, rocky textures and watercourses that mimic the meandering of natural rivers, developers seem to be moving away from the ‘bare park’ aesthetic — dominated by concrete, steel and coloured plastic — in favour of a landscape that breathes, that changes with the light of day and that offers physical and visual refuge, as well as recreational stimulation.
This is a response to a biological truth: the human brain, exhausted by prolonged exposure to artificial environments, cognitive fatigue or other forms of fatigue, instinctively seeks to merge with the vitality of the natural world. The fact that it finds fulfilment in this quest at, for example, a water park, has a direct impact on its satisfaction and well-being. Research in environmental psychology confirms that naturalised environments reduce stress levels, improve mood and increase attention span.
Water features are now designed to mimic the meandering course of rivers, and local flora is used not only for aesthetic purposes, but to filter the air, create a cool microclimate and attract biodiversity. As we say, a living, natural environment reduces levels of cortisol—the stress hormone—and, as a result, increases visitors’ willingness to pay for the services and experiences offered by the water park. The subjective clock stops, the notion of time fades, and simply the visitor is in no hurry to leave.
By Manolo Barberá, Senior Hydraulic Modeller in the Architecture Department at Amusement Logic
