Biophilic Design

Technology advancements have changed the way we live and function and this tech-centric shift is reflected in both good and some not so good ways in the built environment. The widespread integration of technology into building design and the advent of “smart” design can add  convenience and efficiency. While the added technology has benefits, it is important that the built environment remains human-centric. Too much tech-centricity can feel like a gamer was on the interior design team. This may be a fun aspect to explore but being in such a space can have adverse impact on occupants.

The Current State of Tech-Centric Design

I recently stayed at a hotel in the silicon valley that reflected the global center of high technology, innovation and social media. Although I found the design and its various components rather fascinating, I was very aware that I was not comfortable in the space and that it felt a bit disorienting. The geometric wall behind the reception desk was fine at first glance but it was at an odd angle and the black spaces within the geometric shapes and the fact that the wall stopped just short of the high ceiling leaving a gap of blackness gave it a surreal floating quality.

My room, like the hotel lobby, was decorated with bright and bold colors with few natural or real elements. The wardrobe and desk were fake veneers resembling wood but were cold and unnatural to touch. If you Google digital pixel noise, you’ll know what the artwork looked like. The closet had amber tinted glass doors displaying two robes hanging side by side and facing out. The closet was backlit with orange lighting reminding me of a Stanley Kubrick film that to this day I wish I could unsee.

The room did have some fun technology for controlling the lights, window shades, tv and shower temperature but the room and other spaces in the hotel lacked calming elements. My stay at the hotel got me wondering about tech-centric design and spaces purposely designed to feel like you’ve entered a video game.

Maybe “tech-centric design” makes you think of something a little more futuristic like the office shown below. it’s the office of Chinese data center Cloud DCS, but it looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie. A large enclosed area that resembles an otherworldly spaceship sits in the middle of the area, and the design palette is comprised of plenty of white alongside cold toned blues and greens.

From Archilovers: The office of Cloud DNS is incredibly futuristic

The problem with spaces like this office and my hotel room is that they tend to feel cold and sterile. If you’ve ever been in a space like these, you know what it’s like. On the surface, you may appreciate the intent but this style of design has consequences. These spaces can feel unnatural. Largely, this is a biological response. As humans, we instinctively respond well to natural environments. These tech-centric spaces cut off the natural environment, replacing daylight with harsh fluorescent lighting and swapping natural materials for untextured, manufactured materials.

Architectural theorist Nikos Salingaros told the Clarion Review that this sterile appearance comes from “the deliberate removal of certain mathematical qualities from man-made structures, namely those qualities that characterize living and natural forms.” Here, Salingaros is talking about natural patterns like fractals that are present in nature and have historically been present in architecture. Modern design often removes these patterns, creating abstract, less engaging buildings that don’t satisfy our need for nature.

Of course, technology isn’t bad, but these sterile spaces aren’t optimized for human occupants. Tech-centric design can be an interesting concept to explore, but hopefully not at the expense of cutting off humans from the natural world around them. Designers can tackle the challenge head-on using biophilia as their north star.

The Importance of Biophilia

From Barbican: This biophilic office space seamlessly merges technology with nature

Biophilia is the simple concept that humans feel and perform best when they’re connected to nature. Over the last several years, the effects of biophilia on mood, productivity, and health have been extensively documented, and the benefits are hard to ignore. Biophilic design has been shown to increase productivity, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even facilitate collaboration and social interaction.

Consequently, architects and designers find when they design with biophilia as their guide, the result is better built environments. In all types of spaces, from corporate offices to local restaurants, the effects of biophilic design are effective. Experts agree that biophilia is an impactful means to achieve smart commercial design. Simply put, people positively respond, mentally, physically, and socially, in biophilic environments.

Many designers have also turned to biophilia to reinvigorate offices by adding some natural components to a sterile space. The idea here is to rethink existing tech-centric spaces and naturally incorporate biophilic elements. Instead of allowing technology to completely consume a space, designers are redesigning with biophilia in mind and anchoring the existing tech space in a more organic fashion.

How Designers Are Merging Nature and Technology

From Morgan Lovell: A living wall helps the UK Green Building Council’s office balance nature and technology

The UK Green Building Council’s office is an excellent example of this hybrid approach to design. Designed by Morgan Lovell, the office’s main area boasts a beautiful living wall comprised of over 1,500 plants. In addition to the living wall, there are plenty of plants mounted around the room, and there’s ample natural light. While the space hosts a computer lab full of technology, the additional wellness features make for a more welcoming lab.

Prescient’s Chicago office is an example of a space that uses wood to add an organic, warming design element. Designed by Perkins+Will, a firm that prioritizes green design, the high-tech global security firm’s office is a combination of contemporary design and biophilic components. Exposed ceilings, glass and steel are nicely paired with plenty of natural light, walnut furniture and reclaimed wood paneling to anchor the space in the natural world. The office feels contemporary and cutting edge, but it’s ultimately grounded in nature.

From The Architect’s Newspaper: Prescient’s Chicago office is techy but feels inviting and natural

Wood is a critical part of biophilic interior environments. Reclaimed wood, in particular, is an excellent green building material, and in many ways it contributes to better occupant wellness. Designing with organic materials like wood can easily transform an unnatural, sterile space into an oasis.

Jet.com’s Hoboken office is another example of how biophilic design can mesh perfectly with technology. Reclaimed Lost Coast Redwood paneling adds an organic touch with its worn, weathered barn wood character. The wood nicely complements the vibrant colors of the furnishings, but most importantly, it places nature at the heart of the space.

From TerraMai: Jet.com’s biophilic office uses reclaimed wood to create a tech-focused yet powerfully natural space

Conclusion

Technology will become more and more essential in the built environment but it should be integrated so it enhances the built environment. Spaces need to be designed such that they are humanistic at the core, and that means designing with a focus on wellness and nature. Humans are living beings. Being in the presence of plant life and weathered landscapes resonate and cognitively stimulate, thus reflecting those aspects in the built environment make sense to enhance building occupant productivity and well-being.

Have you ever thought of biophilic design as a cost-saving design approach? Many people think biophilic design has to  be costly, but thankfully that’s not the case. That’s because while biophilic design can require an upfront investment, it pays dividends in the long run, both environmentally and financially. Here’s a closer look at how biophilic design makes perfect economic sense.

Biophilia, Employee Retention, and the Cost of Turnover

First, let’s look at biophilic design in the office. Biophilic offices are becoming more commonplace, and the natural aesthetic isn’t the only reason for that. Companies are also saving money thanks to biophilia. The key to understanding how biophilic design can help save money is considering how it benefits workers and, more specifically, solves workers’ problems.

From Peldon Rose: Biophilic offices help workers to feel happier and be healthier

Consider the phenomenon of low employee engagement, which is one of the most troublesome issues in the workplace today. In its State of the American Workplace report, Gallup found that a whopping 70 percent of employees are not engaged at work. That in and of itself is costing companies billions; all told, actively disengaged employees cost the US $450 to $550 billion per year.

What’s more, businesses experience large financial losses as a result of high turnover. When salaried workers leave, replacement requires hefty recruiting and training costs. On average, it costs 6 to 9 months’ salary to replace a salaried employee. This is why 47 percent of HR leaders reported that employee retention and turnover is their top workforce management challenge.

So what’s making employees so unhappy and disengaged? Many experts point to poor worker well-being as a primary reason behind problems like low engagement and absenteeism. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that direct and indirect costs of poor worker health amount to 25 to 35 percent of payroll. As Knoll pointed out in an article, “Poor employee well-being can reduce engagement and morale, increase overtime, require overstaffing, increase turnover and make people more prone to accidents.”

From Knoll: Poor worker well-being can amount to 25 to 35 percent of wages

Poor Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is one of the top reasons why worker well-being is suffering. The CDC defines IEQ as being composed of several factors including lighting, air quality, and damp conditions. Poor IEQ can lead to a host of health conditions, including Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Illness (BRI). While these conditions aren’t often talked about, they’re some of the leading causes of poor worker health. According to a 2016 study in the International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, “SBS leads to an increase in self-reported illness absences and reduced productivity in offices.” That can lead to chronic absenteeism and eventually turnover.

As a result of this increase in engagement-related issues, more and more businesses are turning to biophilic design. Biophilia fundamentally solves the problem of building-related illnesses by promoting workplaces that are inherently beneficial to occupant health. The use of natural and nontoxic building materials in biophilic design results in a cleaner built environment that comprehensively supports wellness.

From TerraMai: Capital One’s office fosters a healthy, biophilic environment for workers

There have been many studies conducted that found a positive correlation between biophilic design elements and improved well-being. Reclaimed wood is especially powerful in this area as it is an organic material direct from nature that introduces a multi-sensorial design component. A report by Planet Ark looked at the positive effects of wood on physical health and concluded that the material excels at reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. This has enormous implications for occupants, as lowered stress can help prevent significant health consequences such as obesity and diabetes.

Ultimately, biophilic design can help employees to be more present, creative and more engaged at their jobs, which in turn reduces absenteeism and turnover (and the accompanying financial consequences). Studies affirm that workers who are closed off from nature take more sick leave than workers in biophilic spaces. In fact, as much as 10% of employee absences can be attributed to non-biophilic offices. Biophilic design can reduce that number, mitigate turnover costs, enhance employee retention, and create a better working environment.

The Cost-Saving Effects of Good Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is one of the most critical aspects of overall IEQ. Poor IAQ can have a wide range of consequences from reduced productivity to respiratory illnesses. A leading cause of poor IAQ is inadequate ventilation solutions. The American Lung Association notes that effective ventilation “may also help keep bacteria, viruses and other pollutants out of the indoor air.” Ventilation can also reduce the amount of moisture in the air, reducing dampness and preventing “the growth and transmission of viruses and bacteria.”

One obvious solution is a high quality HVAC system that can increase IAQ. This also seems costly upfront, but it pays for itself quickly. One case study that followed an office in Mumbai, India, found that a good HVAC system can result in exceptional savings. The office building’s retrofit that included a $92,000 HVAC upgrade was projected to pay for itself in just 4.7 years––and that number is based on electricity bill savings alone. Keep in mind that India is considered a developing country, which makes these savings even more remarkable.

Biophilic design also promotes the use of plants and greenery, which naturally purify the air and improve air quality. Plants have been shown to remove toxic compounds from the air, and they can even reduce the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that act as carcinogens. Even placing just one plant in a workspace can promote well-being. Plants are extremely cost-effective and offer both biophilic and aesthetic advantages, so whether you use a few potted plants or a living wall, you can easily and affordably improve IAQ.

From Habitat Horticulture: Plants can drastically improve IAQ and create a healthier indoor environment

In addition to plants, wood also helps improve IAQ by helping to moderate humidity. Wood naturally absorbs and emits moisture as it maintains equilibrium with the air in the built environment. The ability of wood to moderate humidity can have a particularly important impact in workplaces. In conjunction to a high quality HVAC system, incorporating wood as well as plants in a space can ensure air quality that will lead to occupant satisfaction and productivity.

These Case Studies Show the ROI of Biophilia

Biophilic design has already helped businesses around the world save millions of dollars. If your curiosity has been piqued, check out these case studies that detail the ROI that biophilia provides.

One of the first businesses to reduce absenteeism through biophilic design was ING Bank in 1978. The company was building a new headquarters in Amsterdam, and they took a radical design approach, incorporating daylighting and water installations. When the new office was finished, absenteeism decreased by an incredible 15%. What’s more, the bank saved an estimated $2.6 million per year thanks to the daylighting and energy saving systems.

These results can happen faster than you might think. At the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Call Center, employees with seated access to views of nature handled calls 6 to 7 percent faster than those without views of nature. The Center made the decision to reconstruct the office to provide all employees with an accessible view of nature. While the expense of this reconstruction totaled $1,000 per employee, the annual productivity savings averaged to $2,990 per employee, and the redesign paid for itself in just 4 months. These results aren’t mere outliers. Companies around the world are seeing similar savings after incorporating biophilic design.

Here’s one more case study that was instrumental in helping the Architecture & Design industry understand the macroeconomic benefits of biophilic design. In 1984, professor and researcher Roger Ulrich analyzed the effects of natural views on hospital patients recovering from gallbladder surgery. 23 patients were placed in rooms with views of nature, while another 23 patients were placed in rooms that just had a brick wall. Ulrich found that the patients with access to views of nature had shorter hospital stays, amounting to an 8.5% difference. Terrapin Bright Green extrapolated that data and estimated that the U.S. could save $93 million yearly by implementing biophilic design in hospitals rooms.

From Terrapin Bright Green: Biophilic design could save U.S. hospitals $93 million each year

What About WELL Certification?

The WELL Building Standard fully incorporates biophilic design into its program. It was recently updated with the goal of making the standard more universal, and it won’t be long before WELL Certification becomes the norm.

As you’ve seen in this article, investing in biophilic design pays in the long run, and this is similarly true for WELL Certification. Developers are pursuing WELL Certification to deliver occupant well-being but also see the added value in the realm of building occupancy rate and added property values. John Mooz, Senior Managing Director at Hines in Houston, Texas, knows that high-quality buildings have higher resale value. He notes that buildings with healthy features as outlined by WELL can command up to a 20 percent rent premium over market rate, in addition to savings on operational costs.

From WELL Online: The wonderfully biophilic Hyatt HQ in Chicago earned WELL Silver Certification

And since WELL and LEED go hand in hand, there are also many energy-related savings. Some buildings have seen a 12% reduction in overall energy use and 40% reduction in water consumption. These are substantial enough in the short term, but they also add up over time and help you consistently save money.

Why It’s Cheaper To Pay More for Biophilia

Biophilic design may seem like an added expense at first, but it’s important to look beyond the initial price tags. In the long run, biophilia saves money by preventing poor occupant health and optimizing the built environment for human well-being. The upfront costs are small compared to the long term savings, as demonstrated by the above case studies and statistics. Biophilic design is all about making people as healthy and as happy as possible, and that comes with a plethora of benefits that will more than pay for themselves. To wrap-up, if you’re looking to reduce absenteeism, mitigate turnover costs, enhance employee retention, and create a better working environment it is time to explore biophilic design.

Throughout the millennia, architects, mathematicians, and psychologists have all been fascinated by the various patterns that appear in nature. From the Fibonacci sequence to fractals, patterns have proven to be an important part of the natural world. What is especially interesting is the fact that humans resonate so strongly with these patterns. My aim in this article is to explore the connections between human beings and natural patterns as well as explore what that connection means for architects and designers.

A Closer Look at Patterns in Nature

From Phys.org: Patterns like fractals are found all throughout nature

It’s impossible to step outdoors without taking notice of some sort of pattern. From the self-similar patterns of trees and their branches to the spirals of a sunflower, patterns are everywhere. As humans, we instantly recognize these patterns even if we’re not actively looking for them. Scientist and author Philip Ball noted that “we know it when we see it,” adding that some patterns (like zebra stripes) don’t perfectly repeat. A pattern, then, is instinctual on some level. It connects with some innate aspect of the human brain.

Recently, scientists have found that patterns are especially helpful in facilitating stress reduction in humans. Fractals are some of the most impactful structures that occur in nature, and they have numerous healing effects. Researchers at the University of Oregon discovered that viewing fractals can result in stress reduction of up to 60 percent. Another study concluded that “humans display a consistent aesthetic preference across fractal images, regardless of whether these images are generated by nature’s processes, by mathematics, or by the human hand.” While fractals are especially potent, there are countless patterns that are universally appealing and contribute to stress reduction.

Other well-known patterns like the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio are rooted in mathematics and thus have direct applications to architecture. Curved lines are another inherently natural pattern. Rarely do straight lines exist in nature, and this observation has led to the Golden Angle of 137.5 degrees as opposed to the stark 90-degree angles often seen in the built environment.

The Biophilic Benefits of Patterns

From Interface: Biomorphic patterns provide many wellness benefits

There is a deep, foundational connection between natural patterns and biophilia. A pattern like a fractal fosters a connection to nature and meets many biophilic needs. Such patterns are called biomorphic patterns. According to Terrapin Bright Green, biomorphic patterns “are symbolic references to contoured, patterned, textured or numerical arrangements that persist in nature.”

Biomorphic patterns are particularly effective from a biophilic perspective. Since patterns are deeply embedded into nature, their presence is instantly identifiable to the human eye. Furthermore, studies have shown that superior pattern processing is a fundamental part of the human brain. That’s why patterns are so powerful; we’re evolutionarily inclined to recognize them, and this instant identification is conducive to the stress-relieving properties of patterns.

From Architecture & Design: Biomorphic patterns are often eye-catching and almost always discernible, bringing their stress reduction capabilities to the forefront

Patterns also convey a sense of order. In an increasingly complex world, order is integral to optimize and maintain human wellness. Order doesn’t even have to be immediately noticeable. Humans often recognize order on a subconscious level. As Ball put it, “there’s an abundance of detail in nature that we can’t see. Even in what seems unstructured, there’s pattern.”

Terrapin Bright Green’s report also states that patterns can promote cognitive and psychological improvement. In a way, a single pattern has the ability to connect humans with nature. When patterns are combined with other biophilic elements, they provide a holistic experience of biophilia.

Biomorphic Patterns in Architecture & Design

From Interior Design: Using patterns in architecture is beneficial to occupant well-being

Biomorphic patterns have endless applications in Architecture & Design. Throughout human history, patterns have been essential to the built environment, but today’s A&Ds are finding new and exciting ways to incorporate patterns. This is especially prevalent in biophilic design. More architects and designers are deliberately reflecting natural patterns in building design using a variety of methods. This falls under the category of biomimicry, or the act of emulating nature in design.

Given that Architecture & Design continues to emphasize comfort and occupant wellness, it’s easy to see why biomorphic patterns are in such wide use. These patterns are appealing to the eye and restful for the brain. They also help to maintain a sense of balance and harmony in the built environment, which increases the enjoyment that people feel while working or interacting in a space. These patterns are manifested in many ways, from honeycomb-shaped seating areas to curved atriums.

From Autodesk: The curvatures of this room resemble the flowing lines and patterns that occur in nature

It’s common to see fractals in architecture, and you’ll often notice these patterns as part of an installation. Some innovative design firms are taking pattern integration to the next level by crafting entire rooms based on fractals. Fibonacci sequences are also sometimes used to determine the shape of a building or, less frequently, a room. Finally, many natural patterns are used more casually in various parts of design. For example, a lounge with curved walls may not represent anything specific in nature, but the curves still compose a pattern. As long as occupants can recognize a pattern, consciously or subconsciously, it will enhance the biophilia of a space.

From the Shard: This office space, designed by Perkins+Will, incorporates fractal geometry into its design

Pattern usage can even be applied to the specific building materials employed for a project. Reclaimed wood and greenery are two excellent materials to use when aiming for a more biophilic environment. Reclaimed wood is particularly apropos for this since each piece of wood bears its own unique aesthetic conveying fluidity and pattern. The grain and patina of naturally weathered or distressed reclaimed wood, often with knots and other highlights, can be especially pleasing. Reclaimed wood with noticeable patterns excels at facilitating interaction and boosting mood. Greenery and plant life adds not only splashes of color but also additional biophilic benefits including increased productivity.

From TerraMai: The abundance of vivid patterns in reclaimed wood provides biophilic and aesthetic benefits

Finally, there’s biomorphic geometry. Geometry is full of pattern opportunity and can also be found everywhere in the natural world. Biomorphic geometry in design is the use of natural shapes and formations in the built environment. Fractals fall into this category, but there are countless shapes to draw inspiration from, including honeycomb, clover, and leaf shapes.

Again, the shapes used need not directly replicate something in nature. They can also indirectly suggest a natural connection. For example, the paneling at Gravitate (pictured above) was centered around a chevron pattern, complementing the decor and design of the room. While chevron or herringbone looks aren’t instantly evocative of a specific natural phenomenon, it implies a naturalness due to scaled self-similar pattern and the character of the wood.

Conclusion

Ultimately, including patterns in building design can help reduce stress in occupants and increase the aesthetic appeal of the space. Patterns help create spaces that are enjoyable to work and interact in. Best of all, a focus on natural patterns is already shaping the next generation of A&D by fostering built environments that make humans happier and healthier.

Biophilic design is an excellent match for the workplace. Numerous studies have connected increased productivity and morale with the presence of biophilic elements like daylight, plants, and reclaimed wood paneling. It’s why biophilic design is at the core of many of the world’s top offices. However, the benefits of biophilia don’t stop at boosted productivity. Biophilic design can satisfy several intrinsic human needs, bringing a whole host of benefits. Three of these needs that biophilia meets are socialization, collaboration, and physical activity. Here’s how biophilic design elegantly optimizes each.

How Biophilic Design Drives Social Interaction

The human need to connect and socialize with others is a powerful driving force. It’s what’s ties civilizations together and creates relationships. There are many practical needs for socialization as well. From the workplace to the store, socializing is an important aspect of experiencing a space, and this is especially true for places that host events. That’s where biophilic design comes in.

The biophilia effect is the simple concept that humans crave nature. Just as it’s natural for humans to socialize, it’s also natural for humans to connect with nature. And as it turns out, biophilia and socialization are intertwined. Socialization is a natural human need, and biophilia satisfies many natural needs, helping people reach a more native state of well-being. As a result, biophilia helps people feel more relaxed and thus open up and connect with others in an instinctive expression of human connection.

From EarthShare: Relaxing biophilic spaces like this studio are hotspots for social interaction

This link between biophilic design and socializing has been documented in several studies. One such study examined a focus group of elderly individuals and analyzed their behavior when using wood or plastic products. The study found that wood products significantly increased social interaction. Other studies have looked holistically at the effects of biophilic design on socializing. A Terrapin Bright Green study reported that biophilic spaces can “generate even more healthy social interactions by encouraging their spontaneous occurrence.” When biophilic design is present, people can’t help but feel good and share that positivity with others.

From Architecture Beta: The presence of reclaimed wood in an office naturally increases social interaction

In turn, social interaction has several benefits that are useful in any kind of space. Positive interaction with others releases oxytocin in the brain, which improves mood. There are also myriad studies that connect social interaction with longer lifespans and reduced depression and anxiety. That means the ability to socialize is critical for places in which people will be spending a lot of time, like offices and hotels. In spaces where people don’t spend as much time, socializing is still important, as it enhances the overall experience of being in a space.

From Future Constructor & Architect: Social interaction is a vital need in any space, including common areas like this one

The Relationship Between Biophilia and Collaboration

Just as biophilia can encourage social interaction, it can similarly bolster collaboration. While collaboration obviously necessitates social interaction, it also requires some additional design considerations to maximize productivity.

The ideal workspace for productivity accomplishes a few key goals. First, it helps workers feel healthier. What’s most important is that a space is fully human-first, and that means designing to satisfy human needs and optimize wellness. Many architects and designers employ biophilic design techniques to make this happen. One of biophilia’s biggest benefits is stress reduction, which can cause a positive domino effect in other areas. Consequently, the larger presence biophilia has within a space, the healthier occupants will be. This makes sure workers are at their best, both physically and mentally.

From Interior Design: Biophilia fosters the perfect environment for productive collaboration

Second, a workspace has to facilitate productivity through its design. This requires a multifaceted, comprehensive approach that takes all types of work into account. There should be places for quiet, undisturbed solo work as well as multi-size group work. For group work, there needs to be adequate and adaptable resources. For instance, many workspaces include amenities like a whiteboard, Wi-Fi, and modular furniture to allow for flexible collaboration. Workers need to be able to move seamlessly between solo and group work or even different types of group work.

From Azure Magazine: Sky Central, a three-level coworking space in London, uses biophilic design to maximize productivity

Third, a workspace must naturally encourage collaboration. In other words, if inspiration strikes and a group wishes to arrange an impromptu collaboration session, they should be able to quickly and easily. Of course, this demands that a workspace be designed for productivity, but promoting collaboration goes beyond that. Throughout a workplace, there should be spaces in which collaboration can happen at any time. It’s crucial to offer a variety of seating options, adequate workspace for groups of all sizes, and spots for meeting and lounging, and it’s important that these features are available throughout the entire workplace.

From The Total Office: A range of seating options and workspaces promotes on-the-fly collaboration

Biophilic offices that are designed for collaboration and employee wellness are in demand more than ever. The reason is simple––biophilic design creates the perfect environment for all types of collaboration. In addition, these same applications of biophilic design aren’t just for the office; they translate to any space that hosts collaboration, such as hotel lobbies, coffee shops, hospitals, and event spaces.

The Opportunity for Physical Exercise in Commercial Buildings

Physical exercise remains an essential element of a healthy built environment. Providing opportunities for occupants to work out magnifies the numerous benefits of biophilic design and introduces completely new benefits. In regards to physical activity in the office, some studies show that physical activity programs may have benefits beyond immediate physical improvement, such as better performance and less absenteeism. In a hotel environment, a gym or workout room allows guests to enjoy a healthy amenity.

From First Line Magazine: The sustainably designed Studio 111 offers several fitness programs

Opportunities for physical exercise in the office are particularly important. The CDC suggests on-site programs that are built into the workplace itself. A gym space or weight room comes to mind, but you can take a more subtle and integrated approach using biophilic design. For example, you might install a tree-lined walking path indoors that is curved, emulating the lack of straight lines in nature. This provides a simple and accessible physical exercise option that leaves workers feeling better all around.

You might also take inspiration from biophilic gyms that use natural materials from floor to ceiling. Think sandbags instead of kettlebells and reclaimed wood instead of artificial flooring. A biophilic gyms will fit right into a building that is already using biophilic design and will supply a generous amount of biophilia to a space that’s more traditionally designed.

From Pop-Up City: Biophilic gyms opt for natural materials instead of manufactured equipment

Conclusion

Biophilia is deeply rooted in human nature. When a built environment include more biophilic elements, occupants feel healthier and happier, allowing them to work and live better. Best of all, this is true across all types of built environments, from the office to a casual restaurant. Designing a space with biophilia in mind doesn’t just connect people with nature; it also allows people to become the best versions of themselves.

Design that enables us to be better at our jobs, feel connected and more in tune is particularly intriguing to me. Biophilic design challenges thinking and stimulates design exploration. A space shines and comes to life when natural elements like wood and water are introduced. Central to biophilic design are the 14 foundational patterns of biophilia, and these patterns can be implemented in countless ways. Rooted in science, implementation of the 14 patterns can reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity. A mixing of biophilic elements creates a multi-sensorial experience that will maximize the benefits of biophilia.

I’ve rounded up several of my favorite examples of biophilia in commercial design and would like to share them with you. Each example is unique, and most importantly, focused on improving human health.

Daylight and plant life always work well together

From HCWH Europe: This breathtaking Singapore hospital is resplendent with trees, greenery, and daylight; a pure biophilic haven;

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore is an unforgettable example of commercial biophilic design. Thanks to the abundance of greenery and natural light, the building feels less like a hospital and more like a forest. This is a prime example of what biophilia looks like when several patterns are working together and is an inspiration for anyone interested in the possibilities of biophilic design.

From Archello: This office entryway uses lots of greenery and white decor to mix minimalism and biophilia

The presence of plant life is an essential aspect to biophilic design. Even just a few plants can make a big difference and improve indoor environmental quality. Combining daylight with greenery is especially effective. Daylight not only illuminates plant life but also has numerous biophilic benefits of its own, including mood improvement and increased productivity.

Variety in plant life is also key. Potted plants, hanging plants, and living walls can all work together to help an indoor environment resemble the outdoors more closely. Many businesses elect to use greenery that’s native to the local area to connect occupants with their natural surroundings.

From The Small Garden: Lush trees and a living wall/garden combination transform this minimalist hallway into a natural paradise

This approach has long been adopted by some of the world’s top architects and designers, including Perkins+Will’s Ken Hudson and renowned designer Oliver Heath. Many experts consider biophilic design to be the future of interior design, and given the many benefits that biophilia provides, it’s easy to see why.

From Oliver Heath Design: This Heath installation in a London showroom demonstrates the feel-good power plants provide

Biophilia is ideal for lounges and communal seating areas

From Live Wall: This seating area is full of life thanks to the living wall, reclaimed wood clad walls, and wood tables and benches

One of the most studied effects of biophilia is reduced stress (and thus improved mood). Social gathering spaces and lounge areas are a perfect match for biophilic design. In these shared spaces, biophilia fosters connectivity. Occupants feel welcome, relaxed and are more likely to be social. Plants and wood are particularly powerful here. Many studies have concluded that exposure to wood paneling can reduce blood pressure, and similar results have been reached in connection with indoor plants. Together, plants and wood can revitalize any space and comfort occupants.

From NAC Architecture: This Newport Hospital lounge fosters a pleasant environment for patients and visitors

Newport Hospital Health Center in Washington state sustains a congruous balance of biophilic elements. In the seating area pictured above, patients and visitors will find reclaimed wood architecture, bright lighting, a natural stone wall and a panoramic view of the outdoors making for an inviting and calming waiting area.

From Margulies Perruzzi Architects: Biophilic elements like this fireplace, stone wall and greenery combine to make for an ideal seating area for Station 101.

Seating areas that incorporate biophilic elements such as water features and fireplaces, bring a serenity to an environment. They enhance the experience by providing non-visual connections with nature such as the crackling of fire or the sound of flowing water. The example shown above from Station 101 is an exterior space designed as a natural extension of the interior biophilic rich meeting area. Other examples of non-visual connections with nature are shadows and sun patches and their movement across a room, textured materials like weathered reclaimed wood, and fragrant herbs or flowers.

From: The Architects Newspaper: A combination of biophilic elements; the custom-crafted, segmented, geometric wood drop ceiling; abundant daylight; playful shadows and views of nature create a perfect social and spiritual gathering place.

These spaces prove how useful natural materials like reclaimed wood are

From TerraMai: Capital One’s uses plenty of reclaimed wood to give their banks a more natural look

Many of the world’s top offices, retail stores, restaurants, hospitals and even banks use reclaimed wood because reclaimed wood supports a connection to nature and has been shown to help people feel better, heal faster and be more productive and social. Reclaimed wood with texture and character will help occupants relate the material more closely with nature. Time after time, reclaimed wood proves that it’s one of the most flexible green building materials.

From Planters Group: Biophilic design builds upon the refined, chic design of this restaurant

Reclaimed wood adapts very well to its surroundings and will amplify the existing aesthetic of a space. In a high-end restaurant, it adds sophistication and elegance. In a hospital lobby, it creates a calm environment and reduces stress in both patients and visitors. Of course, reclaimed wood has numerous benefits no matter where it’s used, but it has a unique ability to enhance the design of the built environment in which it lives.

Take a look at how these rooms balance indoor elements

From the Business Tribune: In this atrium, daylight and wood work together to optimize indoor environmental quality

In biophilic design, it’s not just the presence of natural materials that’s important. Different indoor elements (such as lighting, air quality, and views of nature) have to be balanced so as to optimize the built environment as a whole. Using several biophilic patterns at once compounds the benefits that each pattern brings to the table, resulting in a space that feels great to be in and looks great to match.

From Healthcare Design Magazine: Circadian lighting and the use of natural patterns make Swedish Ballard Behavioral Health stand out

This harmony of indoor elements is of particular importance to hospitals (or other medical facilities) that use biophilic design. The Swedish Ballard Behavioral Health Unit is a noteworthy example here. Its campus features extensive daylighting, connection with natural patterns, and healthy amounts of wood. In addition, in spaces that necessitate artificial light, circadian lighting solutions are employed. In the morning, occupants are exposed to cool blue light, while in the evening a warm amber glow is emitted. This ensures occupants’ regular sleep and wake cycles are maintained.

From Wolveridge Architects: Patterned shadows, lowered ceiling and a protective space that provides visual surveillance of the surrounding area is an ideal example of Refuge.

Combining biophilic elements is most effective when creating spaces meant for Refuge. The best restoration space is one where occupants feel safe and provides occupants a real sense of withdrawal from the surrounding area. Places of Refuge need to feel unique from the greater space but should not be fully enclosed. The intent is to de-stress but keep the senses engaged. If the space is elevated, giving it the ability for Prospect, it has even greater biophilic effect. Places of Refuge have been shown to reduce fatigue and irritability as well as improved concentration.

Biophilic office design is the future of the workplace

From Oliver Heath Designs: This Heath creation is designed to enhance workers’ health and productivity

Office spaces have changed for the better particularly over the last decade due to the rise of biophilic design. Today’s offices are well lit and designed to maximize productivity and employee health, and designers like Oliver Heath are at the forefront of this movement. The benefits don’t stop there; biophilic design can also prevent Sick Building Syndrome, enhance comfort, and improve air quality.

From NBC: Etsy’s Brooklyn office uses biophilic design to facilitate both work and relaxation

These offices are only growing in popularity as more businesses realize the benefits of biophilia. Ultimately, biophilic design is all about people. It puts human health and wellness first, which is why biophilic spaces are so irresistible across all industries.

From the New York Times: Daylight, air quality, and natural materials are crucial for CookFox’s Manhattan offices

The offices of CookFox Architects in Manhattan exemplify this design philosophy. With generous plant life spread throughout each workspace and a healthy amount of daylight, CookFox’s HQ is a spectacular place to work and thrive.

F
rom Office Anything: This one-of-a-kind biophilic conference room is ideal for productive collaboration

Conclusion

Interior design hasn’t been the same since biophilia entered the picture, and that’s a wonderful thing. Today’s built environments are healthier and better looking than ever before, and the people working in them feel happier and more satisfied. The biophilia effect proves that humans long for a connection with nature, and when biophilic design elements stimulate more than just our visual senses it is the best way of meeting that innate need.

Retail is all about the customer experience. From the moment a customer walks through your store’s front door, he or she should be immersed in a shopping experience that encourages return visits and reflects your brand. Retail is dramatically growing, and a focus on customer experience is crucial to success. As such, many store owners are looking to different forms of experience design to meet this need.

A particularly interesting and effective approach that’s becoming more common is to combine experience design and biophilic design to create the best possible environment for shoppers. Biophilic design is one of the most potent methods of improving the customer experience, and in this article, I’ll share a few of the numerous ways retail stores can leverage biophilic concepts to wow customers.

Exposure to Daylight Fosters Positive Emotions in Customers

Natural light has a range of benefits for humans: improved mood, better sleep, metabolic regulation, and much more. In A&D, these benefits are commonly discussed in relation to office spaces, but they also cross over to retail. In fact, the results of daylighting in retail spaces are quite astounding. Lighting is one of the heroes of retail design, able to influence sales and improve customer mood in one fell swoop.

From Inhabitat: Apple retail locations are well known for their copious amounts of natural light and usage of biophilic design elements like greenery

One of the most powerful effects of daylight is the creation of positive emotions. Many studies have proven that exposure to natural light releases serotonin in the brain, which in turn improves mood. In general, the more natural light a person is exposed to, the happier they will be. This is the foundation of the research that demonstrates the benefits of light in office workers, and the implications for retail are similar.

Customers who are exposed to natural light while in a retail environment will perceive their experience more positively than they would if the space lacked daylight. This effect can be amplified by including other biophilic elements like reclaimed wood, which has been shown to reduce stress and increase social interactions. When multiple biophilic elements are working together, customers will feel more empowered to relax, take their time, and shop around.

From CallisonRTKL: This shopping center features vibrant plant life and natural building materials

Biophilic Elements Can Increase Product Value and Overall Sales

The use of daylight and other biophilic elements does much more than create positive emotions. Believe it or not, biophilia can actually increase the perceived value of products and boost overall sales. When customers are shopping in a space that utilizes biophilic elements, the positive emotions they experience will translate into receptiveness. This happens because customers associate visually appealing biophilic spaces with higher quality and thus higher product value.

From TerraMai: Sam Edelman’s stylish store demonstrates how biophilic building materials like reclaimed wood can improve the customer experience

This phenomenon has been documented in several studies that examined the effects of natural elements on retail customers. One study found that skylights in retail spaces increased sales by 40%. Impressively, the study found that these results have 99% statistical certainty, so if you use skylights or other daylighting methods in your retail space, higher sales are guaranteed.

From Discover Los Angeles: The aptly named Skylight Books features skylights that shed natural light on the open design and greenery within the store

These statistics have led retail businesses to pay more attention to their in-store lighting, and some stores have come up with creative ways of using light. One German fashion retailer saw a 12% increase in sales after installing a lighting system that was specifically designed for the personality profile of its customer base. This is an excellent example of adapting a lighting system for the people and space it’s serving. Every retail space is different and will require its own specific lighting solution.

Natural light is just one of the many biophilic elements that have positive effects for retailers. Greenery is fast becoming one of the hottest design trends, and it’s a perfect fit for retail. Studies show that greenery enhances the visual quality of a retail environment. This has many of the same effects that lighting does: increased perception of quality, higher levels of receptiveness to prices, and a more positive shopping experience in general.

From Inhabitat: A living wall and assorted greenery takes the design of this beauty store to the next level

Biophilic elements can also foster comfort and calmness, which are becoming increasingly important as part of the customer experience. These elements are especially important in more industrial or minimalist spaces, as softer, more comfortable materials and spaces help to balance and complement these types of aesthetics. Materials like reclaimed wood add comfort and sophistication while also providing all of the natural benefits that biophilic design brings.

Indoor Quality Gets a Boost from Biophilia

Those biophilic benefits are another reason why so many retailers are including more nature in their stores. Biophilic design improves indoor environmental quality (IEQ), making it healthier for both employees and customers. To holistically improve IEQ, multiple biophilic elements should be present. Greenery helps to purify the air; daylight works to maintain and satisfy human circadian rhythms; and materials like wood contribute to stress reduction. In concert, these various elements maximize wellness, making the indoors a pleasant place to be.

Focusing on enhancing IEQ is an important step in perfecting a retail space. It’s a worthy endeavor to reduce the amount of contaminants and pollutants your customers come into contact with. First, the introduction of plant life combined with air filtration will ensure the air is clean. You might consider a garden installation, or you might simply disperse greenery throughout your store. Many stores choose plants like Boston Ferns and palm trees that have proven purifying power.

From Time Out: Ferns and other greenery are often used in retail for their air purification properties

Second, choosing materials with low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will further minimize toxins. VOCs are often present in paints, wood preservatives, cleaners, carpets, and other building materials. Ideally, a retail space should have the lowest amount of VOCs possible, since hundreds or even thousands of people will come into contact with the space every day. Opting for green building materials like reclaimed wood and selecting low-VOC materials will help manage the presence of these compounds in your store.

Conclusion

Retail spaces are evolving. In order to develop the most optimal customer experience, retailers need trustworthy methods of satisfying their audience. Biophilic design is a solution that’s able to deliver an unforgettable experience and adapt to the changing needs of the modern customer. By making biophilic design changes to create a healthy, human-first environment from the ground up, you’ll see happier customers visiting your store for longer periods of time resulting in increased sales.

Biophilic design is steadily growing as a design priority. The concept of biophilia – the innate human desire for a connection with nature – translates easily to the world of architecture, and it’s changing how we look at building design. While biophilic design has been most popular in corporate workspaces, it’s also found acclaim in the hospitality industry. Here are some of my favorite hospitality spaces that utilize biophilic design in truly unique ways.

Westin Buffalo Makes Biophilia Part of the Experience

From Hospitality Design: The Westin Buffalo includes greenery, natural materials, and daylighting to help connect guests to nature

In 2016, Westin Hotels & Resorts opened Westin Buffalo, a 116-room hotel, 7,300 square feet of event space, a restaurant offering wood-fired cooking, and Westin’s renowned fitness programs. However, unlike most new hotels, Westin Buffalo was built with biophilia in mind. The hotel features abundant use of textured wood, views of nature, and an earthy color palette. A noteworthy detail is the hotel’s meandering pathways; since straight lines do not exist in nature, these curved paths help to reinforce the natural connection. Additionally, Westin continued its tradition of installing vertical gardens in public seating and lounge areas.

From C+TC Design Studio: Daylight, plenty of wood, and a vertical garden make this Westin Buffalo lounge a biophilic haven

Biophilia was a priority throughout the planning process, which makes Westin Buffalo truly noteworthy. Many buildings have been redesigned in a biophilic manner, but Westin Buffalo is part of a growing number of buildings that have biophilia built into them from day one. It’s incorporating many of the concepts that Terrapin Bright Green considered in its Human Spaces 2.0 report, which found that biophilic design enhances the guest experience which in turn increases the value associated with the room cost, making it beneficial for both the hotel and guests.

From C+TC Design Studio: Rooms with weathered wood create a contemporary lodge environment for guests

Hudson Hotel Boasts Strikingly Beautiful Biophilic Features

From Terrapin Bright Green: A lush canopy overhangs the Hudson Hotel lobby

In terms of biophilic aesthetics, the Hudson Hotel is a masterpiece that includes some extraordinary biophilic elements. Most remarkably, the hotel brings the environment of nearby Central Park to the bar and lobby, where guests can enjoy a canopy ceiling. Ivy is strewn across the brick walls, and wood flooring adds an extra touch of biophilia.

From Morgans Hotel Group: The lobby’s environment molds the natural and the simulated for a biophilic experience

If that’s not enough, the hotel also features Private Park, which is part of the elevated lobby shown above. The park is designed to give guests an additional opportunity to experience nature with a picturesque outdoor terrace. This urban oasis is seasonally open during the warmer months, which improves the experience by allowing guests to explore the space in comfortable weather.

From Timeout: Hudson Hotel’s Private Park is a biophilic paradise in the center of Manhattan

Denton’s Embassy Suites Hotel Showcases Biophilic Design

From Butler, Rosenbury & Partners: This green lobby features a luxuriant vertical garden

Biophilic design is easily associated with upscale hotels but designers are bringing the benefits to less costly hospitality spaces as well. In Denton, Texas, guests can find biophilic elements at Embassy Suites. The hotel and convention center was designed by award-winning firm Butler, Rosenbury & Partners and weaves biophilic design throughout the building. Some of the hotel’s biophilic features, like two vibrant 22-foot “living walls” consisting of 1,752 plants, are meant to be visual focal points. Wood on the ceiling incorporates natural material and helps to soften the space. Other features, like a patterned glass wall made to resemble the rings of a tree trunk, are subtle yet nonetheless impactful.

From Plant Interscapes: Dual living walls flank a stone water wall in the lobby of the Denton Embassy Suites

Conclusion

Biophilic design in hospitality is becoming more common and for good reason. As Lorraine Francis of Gensler reflects, “A cost-effective way to enhance the guest experience, it can bolster feelings of community, while improving well-being and health.” The bottom line is that guests are spending more time (and money) in hospitality spaces that leverage biophilic design, so expect to see this trend grow in the near future.