The term ‘Biophilia’ when translated from its
Latin roots means ‘Bio’
= Life and ‘Philia’ = 'the love of' so in a nutshell, the “love of life or living systems”.
Erich Fromm, German-born American
psychoanalyst, first coined the phrase to describe a psychological orientation
of being attracted to all that is alive and vital. It became more well-known
following the publication of Edward O Wilson's (an American Biologist) book in 1984,
entitled ‘Biophilia’. He defined ‘Biophilia' as “the
urge to affiliate with other forms of life” and suggests that humans’
innate tendency to seek connections with nature is rooted in our biology and
has built up through thousand of years living in agrarian settings.
Over the years advanced
technology and development has meant as humans we have moved further away from
our natural environment. Indeed, Edward O Wilson observed how increasing rates of urbanisation
were leading to a disconnection with the natural world. We began living and
working in enclosed and sterile environments, literally sheltering us from the
elements of nature.
As a species we are now spending
more time than ever indoors – with longer hours in the office, longer commutes,
and much of our leisure time focused around screens. We are missing out on the
physiological benefits of exposure to greenery, fresh air and natural
daylight. If
you put an animal in a zoo into a ‘lean’ cage they will become stressed,
agitated and miserable, it is no different for humans and yet office designs of the past
have been doing just that! Our opportunities to be immersed in nature are
reserved for weekends & holidays.
Scientific studies have shown
that workplace environments impact how we feel, perform and interact with
others. And we have discussed previously how mindfulness and well-being are at
the forefront of employer’s agendas. ‘Biophilia Design’ is a powerful tool for
businesses striving to keep their people engaged, happy and healthy.
Biophilia has a profound influence on
us as humans, both mental
& physical. When
incorporated into work-space design it helps reduce the signs of stress and
enhances our cognitive thinking.
BIOPHILIC DESIGN IN THE WORKPLACE
Biophilic Design incorporates reconnecting
people with the natural environment through using
natural elements in design
that evoke positive emotional experiences including sights, sounds and scents,
such as, maximising daylight, views of nature, fresh air, water features and
textures. It is about breaking down the walls between inside and outside,
by bringing
the outside in.
For example, a recent study from
an American university found a 20% increase in productivity in people after spending one
hour in nature! Plants can be used to create natural work-space dividers,
absorbing sound and creating more private spaces to work and a living walls
also adds a visual interest, but it is more beneficial to place it where it can
be seen by many, rather than just in the entrance foyer seen by few. Amazon, Google and Apple are leading the way when it comes
to investing in Biophilic design. Amazon’s greenhouse spheres mean employees can be
immersed in nature and return to desks refreshed and Apple has filled its California HQ with trees.
To really connect people &
nature we are going to need a lot more than a few plants. We need to look how
we feel when surrounded by nature and then incorporate that into our designs.
There are other elements that we can bring into our buildings such as the
variation in light patterns, space and texture that fills us with this sense of
peace when where are immersed in nature.
We can use natural materials such
as wood, stone, exposed brick and even grass-effect flooring to add texture to
spaces. Varying acoustics, such as piped bird music, water features or quiet
areas to aid concentration and invoke a sense a calm that you associate with
nature.
Where possible, ensure employees
are next to a natural source of daylight and that there is the opportunity for
fresh air, such as outdoor breakout spaces. A simple window in a hospital room
has been shown to reduce both patient stays and the amount of pain medication
those patients receive.
SO HOW DOES POOR ‘AIR QUALITY’ AFFECT US?
There has been lots of new documented research that has shown poor air quality to have negative effects on thinking, health and productivity. In terms of health, there is a recognised term for it, ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ (SBS), where people in a building suffer from symptoms of illness or feel unwell for no apparent reason. Symptoms include headache, eye, nose, and throat irritation, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. The severity of symptoms is linked to the time people spend in the building and indeed they improve or disappear altogether, the longer people are away from the building.
We are taught in school
that plants are indispensable to human life. Through
photosynthesis, they convert the carbon dioxide we exhale into fresh oxygen,
and they can also remove toxins from the air we breathe. A ‘Clean Air Study’ conducted by NASA, also found that common indoor plants can help
improve air quality and neutralise the effects of sick building syndrome by
removing toxic agents.
Positioning Air cleaning plants
such as Aloe Vera, Peace Lily and Boston Fern near employee work areas will aid
concentration as well as create interest. Leasing them on a maintenance
contract keeps them healthy and removes upkeep responsibility from the
facilities team.
There are other measures you can
take to improve air quality at work (see below image)
There are clear benefits to
implementing ‘clean
air solutions’ into
the work-space! – Increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, improved health
and wellness of employees. A simple test of the theory? “Open the window!”
CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE
The Biophilic Design approach allows us to
celebrate all that is good about being alive and part of nature, thereby
helping to reduce stress, increase productivity, boost creativity, reduce
sickness and by using often cheaper materials sourced from our region, it
aligns with our CSR of reducing our carbon footprint.
Winston Churchill once said “First
we shape our buildings and then our buildings shape us.”
Biophilic Design
gives us buildings that bring the outside in and
allow us to get back to our biological DNA of connecting
with nature.
Hi Design 'work
spaces that work'
