is Biophilia a good idea in the office place? - Studio Forma - Interior Design (2024)

FAQs

Is Biophilia a good idea in the office place? - Studio Forma - Interior Design? ›

Improved well-being: Biophilic design has been shown to improve well-being by reducing stress levels, increasing productivity, and enhancing mood.

Make you more creative and (as much as 15% more) productive. A series of studies from Exeter University concluded that employees were 15% more productive when “lean” workplaces were filled with just a few houseplants, as employees who actively engage with their surroundings are more efficient and more creative workers.

Aids our physical and mental wellbeing

The physical and mental wellbeing of people who spend substantial time within a buillt environment is thought to be positively affected by sensory contact with natural features, through reduced stress and increased productivity.

Benefits of biophilic office design

Better indoor air quality alone, with increased ventilation and lower levels of CO2 and pollutants, reduces the risk of respiratory issues and improves productivity by 8-11%, while natural light supports circadian rhythms and healthy sleep patterns.

Providing green spaces, water features, abundant plants and natural materials creates a host of benefits, including helping to reduce a development's carbon footprint and regulating the temperature of buildings.

Biophilia focuses on human's attraction to nature and natural processes. It suggests that we all have a genetic connection to the natural world built up through hundreds of thousands of years of living in natural environments, and that it can help improve our mental and physical states.

Space Planning, Layout, and Design

How the space will be used plays an important role in planning the layout of office space. It's crucial to find the perfect balance between open and private spaces. The open space concept is often embraced by several newer offices allowing interactions among employees.

Biophilic spaces often include well-recognized features of the natural world. Features like vegetation, water, sunlight, and natural materials create a more pleasing visual and tactile experience. This principle can be applied on different scales.

The biophilia hypothesis posits an innate biological and genetic connection between human and nature, including an emotional dimension to this connection. Biophilic design builds on this hypothesis in an attempt to design human-nature connections into the built environment.

If not properly maintained, natural elements can become unsightly or even hazardous. Allergies: For some employees, exposure to natural elements such as plants or flowers can trigger allergies or other health issues. Space limitations: Biophilic design may not be practical for all workspaces.

Why effective office layout and design is important for the work environment? ›

A smart office design makes it easy for managers and supervisors to monitor and interact with their team. As a result, those in supervisory roles have more opportunities to provide coaching and training and can spot problem behaviors that could be interfering with workplace productivity or morale.

Nourishes physical and mental health: Reduced stress, improved cognitive function, and boosted immunity lead to a healthier, more resilient workforce. Enhances focus and creativity: Employees in biophilic spaces experience better attention, memory, and innovation, driving productivity and organizational growth.

2.2 Sustainability

The biophilic design promotes energy efficiency, resource conservation, and climate adaptation by integrating natural elements and systems into architecture. Passive design strategies, such as natural ventilation and daylighting, can significantly reduce a building's energy consumption.

Biophilic design has been found to support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being. Biophilia is defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings.

Living walls, an emphasis on natural light, and even water features can be biophilic office design. Other elements may include using earth colours, roof gardens, or the use of open space.

The Barbican Centre is one of the earliest and most famous examples of biophilic architecture. Opened in the 1980s as an estate in London, it's renowned for its striking, brutalist design. The bleak style of the Barbican is juxtaposed with the use of natural and artificial lakes and extensive wildlife.

In addition, having an office space allows for better organization, as employees can easily locate what they need without having to search through piles of documents. This can help create a more efficient work environment and ensure that tasks are completed accurately and on time.

In-person work contributes to a defined structure, clear communication, and professional development opportunities. The traditional office environment cultivates company culture, a sense of belonging, exposure to diverse perspectives, and opportunities for career advancement.

Enhanced Productivity: A positive office environment promotes focus and creativity, leading to increased productivity. When employees feel comfortable and motivated, they are more likely to produce high-quality work efficiently. Employee Well-being: A good office environment prioritizes employee well-being.

Being an office inherently offers more exposure to what others are working on and can help you improve your skill set. –It's true, the value of the workplace has changed. It's now a space for everything you might not get at home or virtually: collaboration, creativity, productivity, culture, and celebration.