Moss In The Workplace
This year at NeoCon 2018, we couldn’t help but notice that moss was everywhere. This growing shift towards nature in the workplace is a response to sustainable work trends and increased open office collaboration. Office greenery has now become aligned with revamped spaces and overall organizational success. But what is moss, and how does it help bring nature into the office?
What Is Moss?
Real moss is sustainably harvested from farms and ranches and is preserved using non-toxic food-grade ingredients. You can cultivate and grow moss through many avenues, such as natural rock and tree formations, underground dwellings, or simple home gardening techniques. Moss does not require a dirt foundation and can remain green and lush for at least ten years. Since moss is preserved, the plants do not wilt, do not require water, nor do they put out pollen or spores. Despite this apparent dormancy, moss still eats up VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as noise.
Benefits of Moss
Improved Branding and Cultural Device
When a company is nature-minded, they become an attractive hub to shop within the eyes of the customer and employees. People do business and work with a business that respects their beliefs. Each day, more sustainable workspaces are becoming more prominent. According to ‘Human Space Report’, employees were noted to have a 15% higher level of well-being and 6% increase in productivity when surrounded by natural elements in the office. Aligning your company with developments such as a moss wall design can have a significant impact on your company image. culture and your environment.
Natural & Environmentally Friendly
According to The Fat Plant Society, they found from their customers that most business owners and other corporate purchasing agents spend $2K to $3K on generic plants. They noted how the companies were insistent on putting money on greenery. With this in mind, companies that invest in nature for their business create a softer, more welcoming office space. This also correlates with increased feelings of happiness, positivity, and creativity.
Temperature Control & Energy Reduction:
Plants have been proven to regulate temperature conditions, and reduce the effects of ‘urban heat island’ in cities. The presence of natural elements such as moss in an enclosed space reduces temperature by controlling sunlight and absorbing heat, which can significantly reduce costs for air-conditioning and other energy strains.
Sound Insulation
Open workspaces can get loud and hectic at times. Noise significantly impacts the way we work, interact and concentrate. Moss can combat this by absorbing up to twice as much sound as the industry average for products of same size and thickness. The high acoustic properties of plants and moss walls provide acoustic control, minimizing the noise disturbance in your space, resulting in increased productivity.
Air Purifying
Moss walls and other plant items go through a constant cycle of absorption and release of ambient moisture. As a result, air particles are removed, keeping the air pure and clean in the office. This effect helps to reduce the total number of sick days, allowing employers to save up to $3K annually.
Flexible Locations
When moss furniture is cultivated and assembled, they can be added to a variety of appliances, such as hardwood frames to be hung on walls, in various pottery, and even the ceiling.
Maintenance-Free
Preserved Moss does not require any sunlight, watering or pruning. As a result, moss walls require little on-going attention which reduces service maintenance costs. Unlike live plants that must have certain environmental conditions and regular care, employers can actually save up to $6K annually by investing into moss walls and other sturdy indoor plants that retain their natural appearance and color year over year.
