Learn how to integrate biophilic design elements into your work space.
Biophilic design elements focus on the aspects of nature that contribute to our physical and mental health. It also aims to address the artificial quality of office environments. Many businesses have accepted biophilic design in the workplace for its benefits. Keep reading to learn how to integrate biophilic design elements into your workspace.
Biophilic Design and Its Benefits
Biophilic design supports our innate need to interact with nature stems in this modern urban environment. The office building enhances human health and boosts cognitive function in a biophilic space. Its benefits include:
- Optimizes acoustic comfort
- Enhances air quality, thermal comfort, and ventilation
- Produce attractive internal and external views of nature
- Utilizes natural patterns, textures, and colors
- Integrates building materials like perforated metal, stone, and wood
- Improves artificial and natural lighting
How to Create a Harmonious Workspace
Even with limitations in the workplace, you can integrate biophilic design elements into your workspace.
Welcome Natural Light
Embrace all the natural light your work office comes with. If possible, pick a building with significant windows. Otherwise, work with what you currently have. Eliminate musty curtains, blinds, and other elements that might block the light path. Also, arrange the office furniture to work with the light.
Utilize Various Textures
Consider using various textures and shapes in the office. To introduce natural elements, you don’t have to work on the whole space again. For instance, your secretary’s desk can be wavy and built from numerous wood panels.
Create a Holistic Flow to the Greenery
Plenty of foliage is the heart of biophilic design. Integrate biophilic design elements into your workspace by adding planters. However, avoid isolated pots because they don’t contribute to the biophilic effect. Instead, use planters to frame line walls and pathways or produce little islands of plants that will release calmness as one moves about that unique space.
Enhance Air Quality
Air quality is crucial for the health of customers and employees. To enhance air quality, utilize air filters, open up ventilation between the inside and outside, and ensure there are plenty of plants in your office setting.
Consider Growing a Green Wall
If possible, attempt to convert an entire wall into a green wall. It’s a non-intrusive way to add a biophilic design to your office. If this is not possible, it will help to hang planters vertically on the walls to make 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, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Flickr, and YouTube.