Biophilic Design: A Must-Have for the Modern-Day Health-Conscious Workforce

And, well, opting for a biophilic design office set-up can solve most of your problems.

Organizations today tend to focus on employees' health and wellbeing, which is pivotal. But, other factors also need to be considered, including workplace design or architecture. Because employee productivity, motivation, energy at work, etc., are all highly dependent on their surroundings. The lights, walls, corners, vibe, and ambiance matter a lot in the workplace.

Working in a natural environment can reshape workplace experiences. Therefore, nurturing biophilic designs at work can make the workforce happy, motivated, and healthy.

What is a biophilic design?

The concept of biophilic designs dates back to the early 1980s. It was when the biologist Edward O. Wilson traced his philosophy of biophilia, emphasizing the theory that humans have an intrinsic, biological relationship with the natural world.

The term 'biophilia' implies the human desire to stay close and correlated to nature, as they are naturally inclined and attracted to it. The concept of biophilic design is the answer to fulfilling the human desire for nature and combining natural elements into modern designs or architectures.

It also focuses on and promotes how the environment greatly contributes to your health and wellbeing. But, it must be kept in mind that the occurrences of nature in every man-made environment cannot be called biophilic design if it has no bearing on the species' inborn tendencies that advance your fitness and survival.

Today we spend 90% of our time in a man-made environment. Biophilic design meets our innate desire to appreciate the outdoors in modern settings. You can see cities growing, buildings getting bigger, at the cost of nature, and somewhere you tend to miss living with nature. The fundamental aim of biophilic design is to create spaces filled with biological inhibition in modern designs, landscapes, and societies.

Importance of biophilic office designs

According to the 2001 National Human Activity Pattern Survey, it's vital to bring the outdoors inside and create an atmosphere where humans and nature coexist in harmony. A study in 2019 from researchers at Aarhus University found that children in Denmark who had been exposed to more nature had 55% fewer mental health problems later in life than those who weren't exposed. The research suggests that plants can reduce stress, help with focus, and even increase energy and motivation.

Poor building design is behind 10% of employee absences, and biophilic design ideas cut absenteeism and increase productivity. The benefits are; greater productivity, lowered sickness, and better engagement.

It also helps experience the essence of plants, open views of nature, and airflow. Using natural materials like wood, earth, texture, pattern, colors, or even nature images gives a renewed touch. Here are six benefits of biophilic designs:

1. Fosters emotional agility
2. Develops an atmosphere with better interaction to build a positive relationship
3. Improves productivity, performance, and creativity
4. Forges positive emotions and improves physical & mental health.
5. Enhances spiritual wellness and helps improve behavioral health
6. Reduces absenteeism, burnout, and other symptoms

52% of office workers want to maintain a hybrid work model, especially after the pandemic. A study by William L Rice and Bing Pan on understanding the correlation between outdoor park visits and wellness during the pandemic exhibited that restrictions on visiting and infection rates were linked to a community's capacity to cope with the health crisis.

Some brilliant ideas to create a biophilic workplace

Biophilic designs tend to improve holistic human wellbeing and productivity, focusing on the aspects of the natural world.

Its effectiveness depends on connected, complementary, and integrated interventions within the overall environment rather than being isolated or transient. It also emphasizes engaging with nature to relieve the senses and be fully mindful.

Here are a few ideas you can use to create a biophilic workplace:

• Conference rooms with images of nature and corridors resembling natural essence
• Natural 'earth-tone' colors for office design
• Infusing greenery and an open workplace concept
• Wooden and natural materials surrounding the office
• Grass carpets in the main area or the entrance can stimulate nature by introducing moss-like growth in an irregular pattern
• Decorating the workplace with indoor plants
• Tall plants placed in neutral-colored planters divide a large open space into several cozy workspaces
• Using organic materials such as weathered wood 'wall art' and landscaping stones
• Creative interior lighting, lampshades, etc. to brighten up the natural setting
• Carpet mimicking natural landscapes
• A literal jungle – green walls, potted plants, hanging plants, etc
• Open yoga and mindfulness meditation spaces to create a calming zone
• Use of wooden boxes to create realistic shapes on walls and canopies, including a library
• A zen corner to enhance spiritual wellness
• Images of nature on large murals
• For a more relaxing vibe, infuse essential oils into spaces for relaxation
• Use of more sustainable materials in the office

Biophilic designs and the future of the workplace

According to Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, people need to go through four phases to overcome mental fatigue: concentration, mentla fatigue recovery, and interes, followed by reflection and restoration. A good biophilic design bridges that gap and keeps in mind the economic factor. Moreover, it emphasizes a working culture that fosters positive and sustained interactions and bonds among people.

Humans are social creatures, and our safety and wellbeing depend on the balance we create, be it with oneself, others or nature.