Is Biophilic Design important in the workplace?

Us stress-heads in Britain experience stress on a daily basis and believe it or not, work is one of the major triggers. We spend the majority of our adult lives at work (depressing) so it’s important that our working environment oozes creativity rather than sending us to sleep. 

As we slowly begin to return to the offices after a 6 month hiatus, a lot of offices are going to look very different. Companies have started to think about how they can re-design their spaces to adhere to social distancing guidelines whilst still creating an inspiring and engaging working environment.

There is a growing amount of research supporting the links between the design of our working environments and the impacts on our overall well being and in a post COVID19 world, emotional well being will be more important than ever. 

We need to start giving our spaces more thought to how they make us feel which is why many are turning to Biophilic design for a helping hand. Businesses are investing heavily in Biophilic design elements not only due to its health benefits, but it also provides an aesthetically pleasing work environment.

Focusing on human’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes, Biophilic design suggests we all have a genetic connection to the world surrounding us. With urbanisation taking over and months spent living in lock-down, we have all become increasingly disconnected with the outside world.

Biophilic design mimics what mother nature does best, incorporating elements of nature into an interior space and helping to create a calming space to connect us all with the natural environment. 

Close your eyes and imagine being in your favourite outdoor space - whether that's the local park or the sunny seaside, the feelings you experience in this memory often result in positive emotions. This is what Biophilic design aims to create within the four walls of any office environment. 

Due to our dramatically reduced connection to nature and an increased presence of technology, we have little opportunity to recuperate our mental and physical energy. Incorporating elements of nature into the working environments has been proven to produce a multitude of positive benefits. 

Research has proven Biophilic design to enhance quality of life, increase worker creativity and productivity and reduce stress levels. Who would have guessed the answer to some of our biggest problems in life would have been so simple?

Although plants clearly aren't the magical solution abolishing all stressors as your overflowing inbox continues to fill as do the never ending calls from naggy Nancy, they certainly play a significant role thanks to the chilled out and relaxing atmosphere they create.

Biophilic design aims to be much more than simply bringing in a few potted plants and plopping them on each desk . Successful implementation of Biophilic design lies in a thoughtful creative design processes through the use of colour, texture, layouts and styling. 

Don't be afraid to use colours in the workplace to brighten up the space. Opt for a colour scheme inspired by the outdoors, from the deep blue sea and earthy browns to grassy greens and daffodil yellows. Here at DCTUK we have an abundance of suitable products inspired by nature, check out Interface's nature inspired collections here.

Be playful and go crazy mixing and matching your textures, nothing in the natural world is perfectly lined up. Opt for both LVT products and carpet tiles in varying thicknesses for your design to pop.

Check out how DCTUK incorporated biophilic design into our offices last year.