What Is Biophilic Design?
When translated from Latin, biophilia means “love of life or living systems.” Biophilia is the intrinsic connection humans have with nature and natural processes. Biophilic design incorporates the desire to connect with nature into architectural design and space planning. Biophilic design incorporates plants, direct views of nature, natural light, water and airflow, and other natural elements into the built environment.
Why Is Biophilic Design Relevant In Architectural Design?
The workplace is an increasingly stressful environment, which adversely impacts employees. For example, The Atlantic references a study linking stressful jobs to increased health problems such as hypertension, decreased mental health, cardiovascular disease, among other health conditions. Additionally, workplace stress can lead to employee burnout. Based on these negative impacts, employers have a responsibility to their employees to reduce workplace stress.
Not only can this reduction in stress benefit employees’ health and mental state, employers can see increases to production. Incorporating biophilic design is a great way to help reduce stress and increase productivity. Considering this, incorporating nature into the built environment is not just a luxury, but a sound economic investment for anyone in the business of managing people. There are many real-world examples of major companies turning to biophilic design to benefit employee wellbeing and their business goals. For example, Amazon, Apple, and Google have all turned to biophilic design in newly constructed office spaces. They have found this strategy effective to retain their talented employees and increase productivity.
Ambiance
Want a pleasing environment for your home, office or building interior? Plants can provide that extra touch that make all the difference! Live foliage creates beautiful, enjoyable environments at home or at work. Beyond just pleasing aesthetics, plants can reduce carbon dioxide levels and volatile organics (VOCs) from the air and improve humidity levels.
Indoor Plantscape
A tropical plantscape in a hotel lobby can set your guests’ mood for their stay the minute they step onto your property. Have a themed restaurant? What better way to complement your décor than live, colorful plants? Looking for a more formal image? There is a wonderful array of plant shapes and sizes to meet any need. Various studies have shown that:
- In a hospitality setting guests are willing to pay up to 23% more for rooms with biophilic aspects or views
- In educational spaces rates of learning increased by 20-25%, improved test results, and attendance and concentration levels increased
- In healthcare settings patients have been shown to recover quicker, with post-operative recovery time decreasing by 8.5% and pain medication being reduced by 22%
Plants add style and grace to traditional settings and warmth to modern locales. Whatever your architectural style or room décor, interior plantscapes add the final touch to impress your clients and guests. We will do all the indoor gardening if you need us to.
Employee Productivity and Morale
Studies reveal that plants in the workplace reduce mental fatigue, heighten attentiveness, decrease hypertension, and improve productivity. Additional studies have revealed that the presence of live plants, and windows with views of live plants, can have positive effects on employees and contribute to a feeling of well-being. Furthermore, research indicates plants have a calming effect on individuals. All of these positive influences contribute to less absenteeism, boost morale, and heighten employee creativity and performance. According to Green Plants for Green Buildings plants can:
- Increase productivity by 14%
- Increase creativity by 15%
- Decrease absenteeism by 12%
- Reduce feelings of anger by 44%
- Reduce fatigue by 38%
- Reduce anxiety levels by 37%
Enhance Building Marketability
No doubt about it – plants add curb appeal, whether the structure is a residence or a high-rise office building. First impressions of both the building exterior and lobby are powerful influences in real estate decisions. Vibrant, live plants can create a positive, lasting first impression. The aesthetics inside a building can also positively (or negatively) affect the marketability of office space and tenant retention. Plants can soften hard lines in architecture, attractively separate areas, and direct traffic flow. It is easy to see why plants can increase property values and are a good return on your investment!
Improve Indoor Environment
Plants can also reduce noise pollution, both inside and outside, by absorbing sound waves. A canopy of graceful, spreading branches, or more dense foliage walls can help create privacy. At the same time, plants clean the air of indoor air pollutants, thereby combating “Sick Building Syndrome”.
