We all strive to live and work in places that are beautiful, innovative, and inspiring. Biophilia (and Biophilic design) is a popular modern trend that integrates nature, light and life into spaces that support happiness and wellbeing.
Biophilia is “a love of life or living systems.” According to biologist Edward O. Wilson, humans have an innate affinity for the natural world. Biophilic design is increasingly popular with professionals (especially in younger generations and those who live in large urban environments that lack natural greenery) who adopt certain nature connected lifestyles that focus on self care.
Biophilic design addresses the need to incorporate nature into workspaces by building a framework for human-nature connections to thrive in. These features help to create workplaces that optimize the environment for performance, health, and well-being. By better connecting to the natural world, employees report overall reductions in stress and mental fatigue as well as improved cognitive performance on tasks.
Research shows that organizations that harness the power of Biophilic design have a greater ability to attract and retain employees and increase levels of productivity and creativity within their teams.
“The Economics of Biophilia”, a report written by Terrapin Bright Green, highlights how 10% of employee absence can be attributed to a lack of access to nature. Human Spaces, a digital publication that focuses on sharing resources around biophilic design, mentions in their global report that by incorporating elements of nature, overall well-being improves by up to 15%. This is measured by various means, such as measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol and “happy hormones” like dopamine.
Here are some ways you can make Biophilia Design work in your next space.
Go Green – simply by adding a few plants around your office, especially in areas with higher work traffic, your office will start to feel more grounded with nature. Even if they’re artificial, it is a great place to start, but using real plants and vegetation can also help to improve indoor air quality. Also less common, water features can also create a similar effect.
You can also use Natural Elements and materials like wood and stone for your furniture, walls and flooring to promote biophilia. Even including artwork depicting outdoor scenes can help strengthen your team’s connection to nature. Other practices include providing access to fresh air using high-performance HVAC systems and building with pollutant-free materials that help contribute to air quality.
Also remember to leave Room for Light. Exposure to natural light has been proven to improve quality of life. Direct line of sight to windows, glass walls and even natural light lamps in workstations can have profound impacts on the office environment. Easy access to outdoor areas also allows for more open and natural workspaces to thrive. Providing a space in the workplace for relaxation and recharging promotes both physical and mental well-being.
Floorplan design can also compliment biophilia. With open workspaces, for example, there’s more room for employees to stretch their legs and get around. Working in a building that encourages movement such as climbing stairs keeps people active and can even help employees achieve their exercise goals. Take a few walking meetings next time you’re outside, around a park, or have a scenic view.
Each workspace is unique, but fortunately there are a large variety of ways to incorporate and benefit from biophilic design when creating your next workspace.
Learn how to maximize the potential of your workplace. Connect with a BOS consultant today!
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