Why Consider Biophilic Office Design?

A few years ago, we used the term ‘office culture’ to mean habits like standing by the water cooler, pizza ‘parties,’ and a cubicle that doesn’t grant us a shred of privacy.

While in some offices this is still the norm (be strong!), other workplaces are trying to keep up with, or even establish, new trends.

One popular trend is biophilic office design. If you don’t know what this alphabet soup word is, we’re here to explain.

It’s a new-ish design concept that centres decor around what humans innately desire – a connection to nature. Biophilic office design has been gaining popularity in the last few years, and for good reason.

As more companies recognise the importance of a productive and motivating work environment, biophilia becomes the pinnacle of those beliefs and a solution that supports employee well-being and efficiency.

So, let’s explore biophilia, the benefits of integrating it into the workplace, and practical ways to create a biophilic office design.

Ready to dig in?

What is Biophilia?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, biophilia is ‘a hypothetical human tendency to interact with other forms of life in nature or a desire to commune with nature.’

Biophilia is the innate human affinity for nature. It’s why we feel rejuvenated after a walk in the woods or experience a sense of calm near water. Biologist Edward O. Wilson is who we should thank for popularising the approach. He suggested that humans are instinctively drawn to the natural world, so environments should support this notion.

As urban environments have grown, people have recognised the value of incorporating nature into their daily lives. This is how biophilia became a prominent aspect in many workplaces.

Biophilic design is not just about adding a few plants to your desk. It highlights natural elements in various forms, from indoor water features to natural light.

A great example of biophilic is the Amazon Spheres in Seattle. The building houses over 40,000 plants in three spherical conservatories as part of the Amazon HQ in Seattle, US. The spheres are 4 stories tall and contain retail stores and meeting spaces. And almost everything is covered in greenery.

Why Should You Have a Biophilic Office Design?

Biophilia in office design has countless benefits for employees and the overall work environment. Here are some of the key advantages:

Stress reduction

Studies have shown that exposure to natural elements significantly reduces stress levels. In turn, this contributes to a calmer work environment. Research has discovered that employees feel more at ease when surrounded by greenery and natural elements and note higher levels of motivation during work hours.

Productivity increase

The mere presence of greenery contributes to a higher level of productivity among employees. Studies show that workers are often more focused and less tired, which has a direct impact on performance and efficiency.

Air quality improvement

Adding plants in the office space can improve air quality by filtering pollutants and adding humidity, making the environment healthier. This is particularly important for improving respiratory health. Yet, it’s important to note that while plants have an impact on air quality, researchers speculate that you’d need around 300-500 decent-sized plants to make a big difference.

Creativity enhancement

A workspace designed with natural elements can also stimulate creativity. The soothing effects of nature help creative employees think more freely. In turn, this may encourage innovative ideas and problem-solving.

Employee satisfaction improvement

Biophilic elements make an office more inviting. When employees feel comfortable in the workplace, they show higher levels of job satisfaction. Plus, studies have shown that it lowers the frequency of no-shows.

Maintenance reduction

Of course, incorporating biophilia doesn’t always have to be high maintenance. Offices can start by adding real plants but can also use artificial plants to achieve a similar visual effect that cuts back on upkeep.

If you go for fake plants for the office, you can emphasise their realism by adding other natural materials around them or placing them in natural light.

How to Include Biophilia in the Workplace?

Creating a biophilic workplace isn’t complicated or expensive. Or rather, it doesn’t have to be.

Here are several practical ways to include biophilia that can suit different office types and preferences:

Install a Green Wall

If you want to create a statement piece, you can’t go wrong with a green wall. It can be as large or as small as you want it to be. Of course, you’ll need to ensure you have the time and energy to take care of it while it grows.

Alternatively, you can opt for an artificial green wall, a low-maintenance option for incorporating biophilia in office design. While faux green walls are not biophilic by themselves, they mimic the appearance of natural foliage and can be a great placeholder for people without a green thumb.

Plus, they’re risk-free, won’t get in the way, and can cover entire walls without taking up any floor space.

Include Elements Beyond Plants

Don’t limit biophilia to just greenery. Extend nature’s reach by adding water features, such as a small indoor fountain or other natural materials like wood or stone.

For example, replace your plastic waiting room chairs with wooden ones. Or, remove all the curtains and blinds from the windows to let ample natural light filter through.

You can even create a small zen garden in the corner of the office with some rocks and a little fountain. While you don’t need to do much, these common features will still contribute to a more relaxing, aesthetically pleasing workspace.

Place Tall Plants as Dividers

If you work at an open-plan office, you need to establish some boundaries between separate areas. You should do this for both decorative and functional purposes, as dividers block some of the noise floating in the office.

Using tall plants like bamboo or palms can help divide open office spaces without having to erect pony walls or change the layout of the entire space. In return, you’ll give your employees more privacy.

Alternatively, you can even get smaller artificial desk plants to create barriers between coworkers who are facing each other (with their permission of course).

Incorporate Hanging Plants

Unfortunately, there’s rarely much space available for a full plant display or an indoor garden. Since office floor space is often scarce, turn your attention upwards and consider hanging plants.

Hanging greenery (even if it’s artificial) is a creative idea for adding visual appeal without occupying surface areas or getting in people’s way.

This idea is most useful for smaller offices that lack room for larger potted plants, but it can also be a cool addition to a larger space with an excess of room up top.

Add Desk Plants

Last but not least, don’t overlook the potential of a simple desk plant. Although small, their power lies in subtlety. They’re easy to care for, don’t draw too much attention, and won’t burden your employees with too many extra responsibilities.

You can encourage office workers to take care of their desk plants and provided them with the necessary tools to maintain them.

Or, if you don’t want to stretch your employees’ to-do lists even more, get them fake desk plants as an alternative. If possible, you can even let them pick from our expansive collection of artificial desk plants.

Conclusion

Biophilic office design is more than just a trend—it’s a meaningful way to enhance the workplace and improve employee well-being.

Whether you choose real greenery or decide on fake plants for the office, the principles of biophilia in the workplace are accessible and beneficial for all.

Consider adding biophilia to your workspace to reap the benefits of a more natural, inspiring environment.