Incorporating Biophilic Design in the Office
We’ve all had those days when the weather is beautiful and you’d rather be out enjoying it, not working in the office. But people have an instinctive desire to feel connected to nature and that isn’t just limited to days when the weather is nice. Even though research has shown that people spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors, people still need to feel like they’re in touch with the world around them. Biophilic design aims to help fulfill that need.
Finding ways to spend more time outside isn’t always easy, but biophilic design helps bring a little bit of the outdoors inside. When people are in environments that remind them of being in nature, it can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost creative thinking. When used in the workplace, there are two other major benefits this can bring: reduced absenteeism and improved productivity.
With those kinds of benefits, it’s easy to understand why biophilic design has been one of the biggest office design trends in recent years. If you’re interested in bringing biophilic design to your office, here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Plants & Greenery
Plants are by far one of the most effective ways to bring a little bit of nature inside and the great news is that there are a lot of ways you can go about doing this. You can do large-scale projects like creating an office atrium or creating a live plant or moss wall, or try it on a smaller level by bringing potted plants or arrangements of succulents into the office. If you’re worried about not being able to keep up with taking care of live plants, go ahead and try artificial ones. While live plants have the benefit of helping improve air quality, artificial plants can still serve the purpose of making people feel like they’re in a more natural environment.
Source: Realstone Systems
Natural Elements
Get in your element. Decorating with materials that occur in nature is another highly effective way to help make the workplace feel more natural. Think lots of wood and stone. Both types of materials give you a lot of room to get creative with how you use them. If you think decorating with real wood or stone wouldn’t be cost-effective, don’t worry. There are a lot of great faux stone and wood options out there that look and feel like the real thing and can help save some money.
Natural Light
Natural light is very highly valued in the workplace. Nobody likes feeling completely shut off from the outside world and exposure to it can help improve employee wellness and boost productivity. In fact, windows have become one of the most highly desirable office amenities. Companies all over the world are taking note of the benefits of natural light and are looking for ways to add windows to their offices or rearrange their layouts to maximize access to sunlight.
Color
A color is never just a color. Every color evokes a sense of emotion and reminds people of certain things. When trying to include biophilic design to a space, look for colors that remind people of nature. Green, for example, is typically associated with plants, reminding people of growth and renewal. Blue can have a very calming effect on people thanks to its association with things like water and the sky. Brown and beige tones are also excellent choices for biophilic design.
To get the most out of biophilic design, it’s important to remember that it’s more than just bringing in some plants or choosing wood paneling for a reception area. Multiple elements need to come together to create a more immersive experience. If you’d like to bring biophilic design to your workplace, contact Premier Construction & Design. Over the years, we’ve worked on many spaces that incorporate elements of biophilic design. Browse our portfolio to see more examples of our work.
