The Role of Biophilic Design in Enhancing Workplace Wellness

Over the past decade or two, the traditional workplace has evolved from a sterile and dull environment to a more wellness forward appearance. As a result, there has been an increasing desire to approach a more biophilic office design. What is this exactly and how does it boost employee productivity, mental health, and overall satisfaction? Our guide will further define this design trend and the positive benefits of biophilic design for your workplace.

What Is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design is inspired by natural elements. Originally coined in 1964 by psychologist Erich Fromm, the term biophilia describes a psychological orientation of being attracted to everything alive and vital. Edward O. Wilson went further and introduced and popularized biophilia hypothesis in his book Biophilia in 1984 as the “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes.”

From there, biophilic design was born, emphasizing the importance of nature inside the workspace. At its core, it is about creating a connection between your employees and nature within the office space. It is more than simply adding a few pieces of greenery to your desk but rather focusing on integrating natural elements like water, air, light, and other organic materials into your office space. This can include anything from natural wood finishes to focusing on natural light in certain areas to using native plants and flowers as a focal point in your office space. The options are limitless and there are an endless number of ways to incorporate biophilic design into your office.

The Wellness Benefits of Incorporating Biophilic Design

Creating a workplace that is more focused on natural elements has many positive benefits for employees. Studies have shown that employees in these types of workspaces are more likely to be productive and creative and report a higher level of wellbeing. Here are five distinct benefits to incorporating biophilic design into your office.

1.     Boosts Creative Juices and Focus

Having a more relaxing environment with nature-inspired design elements can boost cognitive performance. For industries where creativity is an absolute must, such as advertising or event planning, offices with water features, artwork or photographs with natural scenes, or high natural lighting stimulate creativity and focus.

2.     Improves Air Quality

Over the past five years, many offices have found a need to improve the quality of the air their employees breathe. Two ways to do this are through natural ventilation and air-purifying plants such as snake plants and peace lilies. These simple but effective methods reduce toxins and allergens in the air, supporting the health of your employees.

3.     Promotes a Community Environment

A biophilic office design not only cultivates a sense of connection with nature but also between colleagues. Shared spaces, homey and bright natural breakrooms, and calming work areas create a nice space for employees to conversate and build bonds among each other, whether they are within the same department or not.

4.     Reduces Stress

Nature has been proven to have a calming impact on the human brain, which is why activities such as hiking are so popular. Incorporating elements of the outdoors inside such as greenery, nature light, and nature inspired colors and patterns can reduce stress levels and anxiety. This can help boost overall mood, leading employees to be happier and feel more supported in their work environment.

5.     Results in a Positive Work Culture

When employees feel supported and “seen,” they will be more committed to your mission. This results in higher employee morale, retention, and job satisfaction. Valuing your employees and creating a workspace environment that keeps their mental health at the forefront is vital to a positive work culture.

The team at Interior Fusion is dedicated to giving you a well-designed office space that promotes creativity, productivity, and comfort. We collaborate with you to seamlessly integrate biophilic design elements into your existing workspace, keeping in mind your budget, brand identity, and vision. Whether you want to incorporate subtle elements such as new natural wood furniture or an entire office redesign with a new color scheme and living plant wall, our team of designers is dedicated to creating the office of your dreams.

If you are ready to start creating, reach out to Interior Fusion today!