Biophilic office design’ to make the workplace natural and pleasant
We humans are innately connected to nature and the natural environment. And to understand this, the word ‘biophilia’ is used in English. Through biophilic design, people’s relationship with nature emerges in places like our homes, workplaces or shopping areas.
What is biophilic design?
‘Biophilic office design’ refers to the practice of bringing the world outside our home indoors.
Especially in the construction or design of the workplace, it is being given importance now. A common misconception about biophilic design is that many people think of it as simply planting more trees and shrubs. But it’s more complicated than that.
Biophilic office design features many features of the modern office. Emphasis is placed on creating a workplace where employees are happy to work.
Offices built with biophilic design include a large amount of ‘green area’ or natural space. In those places the office staff work together with others. Or spend a relaxing time.
In today’s offices, it is not possible to create a natural environment for each employee’s work space overnight. However, if simple things are emphasized and incorporated into the workplace, the office can be somewhat biophilic in design.
This may include:
• Allow sunlight to come into the office and view the outside
• Making use of vacant outdoor spaces
• Keeping office interior colorful
• Using natural materials like wood and stone in office interior
• Giving importance to the wishes and preferences of employees
Why biophilic office design?
Various studies have shown that the reason for such high acceptance of biophilic office design around the world is the inclusion of natural elements in the workplace. It increases the productivity, creativity and moral values of the employees to a great extent.
Another recent study reports that having natural elements in the workplace reduces worker fatigue and increases job satisfaction.
Now let’s mention some of the benefits of biophilic office design:
1. Greater Productivity: A UK study titled “The Relative Benefits of Green vs. Lean Office Spaces” found that workers who worked close to nature were 15% more productive than those who did not.
2. Enhancing staff attention: Planting trees in the workplace can start with planting small containers. The trend of decorating the entire wall with trees can be noticed these days. But no matter how the tree is planted, the result is the same. It increases the oxygen level and simultaneously reduces the mental fatigue of the workers and makes them concentrate on work. According to Onak, it also increases overall employee productivity.
3. Development of creativity: A happy workplace develops the natural creativity of people. If the work place is decorated with various artworks, murals and other graphics, then the employees get innovation in their work.
4. Staff Wellbeing: All of the above will contribute to staff well being and thriving. These factors meet the needs of the natural environment in the mind of the staff. As a result, they can do more work.
5. Staff Retention: If the condition of the staff improves, they want to continue working in the same office for a long time. This is important for many, if not all, organizations.
The cost of recruiting new staff as well as training them is not low at all. Biophilic office design makes the staff focus on work and gives them a work environment where they enjoy their work. And that’s why they don’t want to leave the workplace and go somewhere else.
Office, Besign, Biophilic