Dozens of new scientific studies have fueled the biophilic interior design craze, indicating that being closer to nature, whether through houseplants or natural light, is good for your health.

Coming back to the face-to-face post-pandemic office can be a stressful experience for employees. There are your health concerns, combined with the unpredictability of navigating a re-calibrated office and concerns about domestic and childcare responsibilities, which will undoubtedly leave them emotionally drained. As a result, workplace experts increasingly see biophilic office design as a critical component of the post-COVID workplace.

An office renovation with biophilic elements might be the perfect solution after a few stressful months, which could be exactly what people need as they return to work.

Biophilic design has been shown to have physiological and psychological benefits. Greenery can also make the workplace more relaxing and welcoming and improve indoor air quality, a major concern for built environments in general. The following text discusses:

1. What is biophilic design? 
2. Importance of Biophilic Design 
3. Strategies to Achieve Biophilic Design in the Workplace  

What is biophilic design?

Biophilic design is basically where we create bring in nature to meet people needs as human beings and to a built-environment that is more restorative. For the office interior design, biophilic strategies aim to have a space that promotes wholistic well-being, spark creativity and increase productivity.

Importance of Biophilic Design 

The office interior design that uses biophilic strategies integrates nature into a workspace that significantly affects individual behavior and organizational outcomes. 

Biophilic design is relevant today more than ever. When concerns about air quality and wellbeing are equally important, biophilic office design envisions spaces that take advantage of nature’s rejuvenating properties. It incorporates natural elements into everyday environments, eliciting positive biological and psychological responses.

It may be impossible to maintain the same level of social contact between employees in the post-pandemic workplace, resulting in decreased feelings of connectedness and increased loneliness and anxiety. Being surrounded by biophilic elements, on the other hand, can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and keep the heart rate steady. This has a direct impact on an employee’s performance and day-to-day operation. 

People benefit from increased concentration, attentiveness, and cognitive functions, allowing them to be more productive and creative. Employees can derive a higher level of satisfaction from their job and feel more connected to the workplace, which helps companies keep their workforce healthy, happy, and motivated in the long run. This leads to increased talent retention and lower absenteeism rates.

Strategies to Achieve Biophilic Design in the Workplace  

The following are some office interior design biophilic strategies that you can integrate into your next office renovation or in building a new office space. 

Natural Light Conditions.

Natural light environments, like dynamic temperatures, are constantly changing due to cloud cover and the time of day. Our natural circadian rhythm is inextricably linked to the changing light. Being exposed to harsh artificial lighting on a regular basis disrupts this body’s rhythm, which can cause fatigue and sleeplessness at night, exacerbating health and wellbeing concerns during an already uncertain time.

Presence of Water.

Water in a space adds fluidity to the patterns of sight, sound, touch, and light. The flowing water has a calming effect on people and has been shown to improve mood and self-esteem.  Water features such as aquariums, fountains, and even paintings or sculpture depicting water bodies can provide a sense of natural tranquility.

Moving water systems such as fountains, water walls, and constructed streams can stimulate the senses in large offices, especially now, when many employees may be lacking in sensory stimulation. However, because extremely high volumes of water flow can be counter-intuitive and disturbing, it is critical to design a balanced installation.

The Aromas of Nature

When nature surrounds you, you can smell aromas that are both healing and memorable. It takes no effort to recall the scent of rain-soaked soil, freshly cut grass, or a bouquet of roses. Given that scents elicit strong memories in the human brain, using natural aromas in the workplace can create the sensation of being outside.

In order to have energizing, or calming effects, fresh flowers, plant oils, and fruit essences can be easily diffused throughout an office space. Another strategy where employees can enjoy the smell of rain is to provide adequate natural cross-ventilation and breezeways.

Natural Textures.

Our sense of touch plays an important role in our enjoyment of nature and being outside. Walking barefoot on the shoreline or running our fingers through the fur of our pets releases serotonin, oxytocin, and other feel-good hormones that provide us with a long-lasting sense of pleasure.

However, in order to ensure maximum safety for all employees, the post-pandemic workplace must also include no-touch fixtures and amenities. Furthermore, common surfaces must be treated with antimicrobial coatings or be easily cleaned. These factors will have an impact on how tactile design is incorporated into the workplace.

In general, including natural elements such as wood, bamboo, and stone in both work and break areas would benefit our tactile senses. Of course, the ratio of these elements must be correct. A room with a wood ratio of 45 percent promotes comfort and wellbeing. A wood ratio of 90 percent, on the other hand, slows down brain activity – which may work well in spas and homes but is not a good idea for offices.

Firms may want to include copper and copper alloys in high-traffic areas when considering materiality in today’s workplace. Not only do the material’s antibacterial properties slow disease transmission, but it also lends itself to a variety of colors and textures.

Takeaway 

As Singapore is said to be the only biophilic city in Asia, except for Monaco, it just fits to take the benefits of biophilic strategies into our office interior design. Whether you are opting for an office renovation or building a new office, SORDC is ready to guide you on the necessary steps to achieve an effective biophilic design that suits your organization’s needs. 

We are also experienced in providing comprehensive office reinstatement services when you plan relocate into a new office. We take care of your office interior design needs for your new workspace while making sure that your previous office space is well taken care of as well. SORDC experienced team makes sure that the completed office reinstatement renovation is thoroughly inspected before the actual inspection by your landlord.