What is Biophilic Design and will it make my employees happier?
Biophilic design is our innate need to connect to nature within the built environment. We are psychologically drawn to the outdoor world. This is why everyone wants an office with a window! Designers implement biophilic design by including plants, faux or living, large windows, views to the outside, natural materials, open air gardens and natural light. Another design element not always as easy to implement is opening a window within a space - when fresh air enters an indoor space, I have a visceral reaction to the breeze.
Think of the words innate and visceral - these are not fluff words. Visceral is communication from the nervous system as opposed to our intellect. Innate means natural and relates to the mind. In other words, bringing plants into the home discloses in some way our inner being, the inborn, as it relates to our deep-rooted understanding of nature that exists at our very core. This is getting deep!
We should have a growing interest in evidence based biophilic design and it’s benefits in office and healthcare interior design for numerous reasons. Research boasts the productivity and healing benefits it has.
Biophilic design is not a new concept in the design world, it was coined in the sixties by the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm. The growing popularity of biophilic design has to do with us all spending a tremendous amount of time away from nature and sitting at our desks.
Studies have shown that designing with plants makes the room appear more attractive to viewers and can increase the amount of time spent in the room.
Now- about the making people happy part…
Connecting with nature can be one of the best things to do for a person to improve their mental and physical health. This is why biophilic design is so powerful. So far, studies have found that:
Concentration in offices with biophilic design has been proven to increase by 15%.
Less people call in sick! (They must be happy at work if they want to be there)
In educational spaces, biophilia in a space has increased test scores by 20-25%!
Guests in hotels were willing to pay 23% more for a room with biophilic views.
In hospitals, patients get better, faster. That would make me happy.
As designers, we can also take a more indirect approach to biophilic design, incorporating images of nature or including “nature based” forms and lines. Imagine curved lines that look similar to a tree’s branches or nature sounds and smells.
Here are some tips for how you can design keeping biophilia in mind:
Accessorize with images of nature like beach photography or a mountain scene.
Include live plants in unexpected places – Monstera, Fiddle Leaf Fig would love a home in the bathroom and will soak up the humidity.
If your room is lacking light- Snake plants are fabulous.
Cacti are finicky and it takes time to try these out and find what works for you - my advice, don’t give up!
Many plants only need watering once or twice a week - don’t over do it!
Open the blinds and increase exposure to natural light whenever possible. It will put a smile on your face!
Purchase furniture that mimics nature.
Incorporate natural materials and wood.
Here are a final few thoughts to inspire you:
When it comes to purchasing plants and accessories, shop local! Customer service is key when purchasing plants. It’s worth a little more time and money to listen to the experts. When selecting wood shades, I prefer lighter tones, they make the space feel more modern and open, less dark. Birch or bleached wood are beautiful options. Lastly, living walls like what I’ve shown below will be a game changer in commercial design!
