Biophilia represents the innate biological connection to nature we experience as humans, and the happiness, peace, and serenity we feel when we spend time outdoors, bonding with our natural surroundings. In turn, the biophilic design aims to create living, working and relaxation spaces with this special bond in mind.
But it’s a lot more than simply introducing natural elements indoors; the biophilic design also involves the use of specific structural geometry, natural building materials, and sustainable practices. If you want to utilize biophilic design to create a more beautiful and sustainable workplace, here are some ways you can achieve just that:
Opt for organic materials
Including natural colors, textures and materials into your office design can help you mimic the outdoors, and bring more aspects of nature indoors, helping you feel closer to the environment. Being one of the most popular biophilic construction elements, reclaimed and sustainably sourced wood is a beautiful material you can incorporate into anything from flooring and wall coverings to furniture and large-scale architectural installments. Other eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo, cork, rubber, and stone, can also be highly beneficial design elements in any office, as they deliver an organic and cohesive aesthetic while avoiding an unnecessary impact on the environment.
Turn to natural elements
Natural airflow is incredibly important in any office, as it can positively impact the comfort and concentration levels among your employees. In order to add a biophilic touch to your workplace, simply set the temperature to the most pleasant level and introduce a natural airflow throughout the space, whether by opening the windows, incorporating fans or by getting specific air conditioning units that have a natural airflow setting.
Another thing you can do to bring nature indoors is to introduce the calming and soothing sound of water into the workplace, preferably in your office break room, whether by adding aquariums, water chains, fountains or even bigger water installations, such as water walls. Simulating a natural flow of water indoors can be incredibly beneficial for your workplace, as it can help improve memory and concentration, reduce stress levels, and evoke a positive emotional response.
Choose nature-inspired décor
In order to achieve a beautiful and healthy office interior design, one of the most important things you can do is incorporate lots of greenery into your décor. Think about adding a natural wall mural made with plants and flowers that shows scenes of peace and serenity, and brings harmony into the office. Even beautiful nature-inspired wallpapers in calming green shades can be a great alternative to relax your employees and boost their mood. Don’t forget to fill every corner, desk and empty area of your workplace with delightful indoor plants, too. Apart from creating higher levels of oxygen and improving the overall air quality in the office, the presence of indoor plants can also raise energy levels among your employees, leading to an increase in concentration and productivity.
Be mindful of the lighting
Spending long hours in the office, consistently exposed to harsh artificial lighting, can disrupt our natural circadian rhythm, causing fatigue, boredom and an inability to focus, along with restless and sleepless nights. That is exactly why every company needs to incorporate as much natural lighting into their workplace as possible. However, that might not always be an option. Along with accent lighting, ceiling panels and dimmer switches, another great alternative would be to opt for biodynamic lighting, a system that mirrors natural sunlight conditions indoors, which will help to improve comfort, productivity and overall well-being in the office.
Embrace the outdoors
If you’re fortunate enough to have available outdoor space at the office, make sure to utilize this wonderful area, whether it’s a rooftop, a balcony, a backyard or a garden. Apart from taking care of the landscape, try to incorporate beautiful wooden tables and comfortable seating into this outdoor area, in order to create a pleasant and welcoming space where you and your employees can go on breaks, eat lunch, or even work and hold meetings when the weather permits. Apart from creating a more relaxed atmosphere in the office, having a cozy outdoor area where you can breathe fresh air and take in natural light can also help increase creativity, productivity and overall happiness among your employees.
Although biophilic design might not be suitable for every office, there are still some ways you can incorporate this unique and sustainable style into your workplace. Simply by learning from these incredible tips and important aspects of biophilic design, you can create a calmer and healthier working environment that has a positive impact on the overall well-being of your employees.
