This article describes ways to integrate biophilic elements into the workplace.
A biophilic design includes the aspects of nature that impact our physical and mental health. It also aims to address the artificial quality of office settings. Therefore, most businesses have accepted biophilic design in the workplace for its benefits. This article describes ways to integrate biophilic elements to the workplace.
The Benefits of a Biophilic Design
A biophilic design supports our distinctive need to interact with nature in this modern environment. The office building also enhances human health and boosts cognitive function in a biophilic space. Its advantages include:
- Optimizes acoustic comfort
- Augments thermal comfort, air quality, and ventilation
- Produces attractive internal and external views of nature
- Utilizes natural textures, patterns, and colors
- Improves artificial and natural lighting
- Take part in building materials such as perforated stone, metal, and wood
Ways to Integrate Biophilic Elements at Work
Embrace Natural Lighting
Embrace all the natural light your workplace comes with. If possible, pick a building with massive windows. Otherwise, improvise with what you have. This means eliminating musty curtains, blinds, and other elements that may block the light path. Don’t forget to arrange the office furniture to maximize its use with the available light.
Utilize Various Textures
Consider applying different textures and shapes in the workplace to introduce natural elements. This way, you don’t have to work on the space again. For instance, your desk can be wavy and built from multiple wood panels.
Form a Holistic Flow to the Greenery
Plenty of foliage is the basis of biophilic design. For instance, adding planters is another way to integrate biophilic design elements into the office space, but avoid placing isolated pots since they don’t contribute to the biophilic effect. Alternatively, planters can be used to define line walls and pathways or create small islands of plants that will bring calmness as one moves through that space.
Enhance Air Quality
Air quality is crucial for the health of everyone, including our employees and clients. Ensure that you use air filters to maintain proper ventilation between the inside and outside. Additionally, ensure that your office setting features a variety of plants.
Consider Creating a Green Effect
If possible, consider converting an entire wall into a green one. If that is impossible, hanging planters vertically on your walls can create a similar green effect.
Choose Edwards & Hill for Your Office Furniture and Design Needs
Are you ready to redesign your office to maximize productivity and creative thinking? Edwards & Hill can help you design and install the perfect designs for your business. Edwards & Hill is a leading office, education, medical, and hospitality furniture provider with high-quality design and installation services for any style or scale. We have our headquarters in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, and another convenient office location in St. Louis, Missouri. If you are ready to get your office design started, contact us online or give us a call at 301-317-4250. For the St. Louis office, please call 314-797-5077. For more furniture design tips, follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.