Reclaimed wood has always been a particularly appealing material but did you know it can enhance human wellness? Reclaimed wood has many benefits; its story-rich and can add a lot of character to any space thanks to its unique patterns and weathering. It’s also a green building material that contributes to sustainability in design, reducing the overall eco footprint of a built environment. These are the more obvious benefits of reclaimed wood, but this versatile material can also enhance human wellness.

With the growth of biophilic design, more architects and designers have been taking wellness into consideration. Materials with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are now often chosen over their more toxic counterparts, and elements like adequate ventilation and daylighting are also widely used. However, not all built environments are created equal. Many spaces are still taking ideas from the minimalist school of design, featuring sparse, bare areas. Whereas biophilia (which I’ll discuss in detail later on) posits that humans thrive from a connection to nature, this industrial minimalism detaches occupants almost completely from nature. As Metropolis notes, this trend of “biophobia” is at odds with the human-centric concepts of biophilia: “If this trend goes unchecked, the built environment will eventually become as unfit for human life as the natural environment seems destined to become.”

From Design Trends: Minimal spaces like this office are popular, but they can be harmful to human wellness

Of course, minimalism isn’t inherently damaging, but when taken to extremes––whitewashed offices and common areas with scant furniture––it can create an unhealthy relationship between occupants and the built environment. The hard lines and artificial lighting that minimalism promotes are not found in nature, and this can have adverse effects on everything from productivity to mental health. One case study from the Netherlands illuminates these disadvantages. An Exeter University professor visited a call center in the Netherlands, which he described as “a beautifully sparse environment.” When some greenery was introduced (one plant per square meter), employee performance on memory retention was bolstered.

So where does reclaimed wood come in? Simply put, it’s one of the easiest and most aesthetically pleasing ways of creating an environment that promotes wellness. Spaces that use reclaimed wood are consistently healthier for people than spaces without wood. In this article, I’ll take a look at some of the ways reclaimed wood can benefit spaces and enhance occupant well-being.

The Health Benefits of Wood

Before I talk about the specific effects of reclaimed wood, I’ll examine the wellness benefits that wood inherently brings to an environment. There have been many interesting findings in various studies that point to wood as an unusually health-forward building material. A report compiled by Australian nonprofit Planet Ark Environmental Foundation reviewed several peer-reviewed studies and discussed some amazing benefits of wood on the body, brain, and environment.

In regard to physical effects, wood serves as a de-stressor and has been shown to lower blood pressure. A Japanese study mentioned in the report examined 14 participants who were placed in rooms with either steel or wood paneling. The study concluded that exposure to wood paneling significantly decreased the subjects’ blood pressure while exposure to steel panels significantly raised it. Similar studies found the same results; wood contributed to lower heart rates and stress responses than environments with no wood.

From TerraMai: Reclaimed wooden paneling, like this installation at Gravitate! in Albuquerque, can help lower blood pressure

The effects of wood on the brain are a bit more surprising: heightened social interaction and a more positive emotional response to built environments. Another Japanese study looked at how 44 elderly residents interacted with both wood and plastic products. The use of the wooden products was far more effective, resulting in more social interaction, improved emotional states, and positive self-expression. The research suggested that wood products may even mitigate mental and physical decline in elderly individuals. Of course, these benefits can be seen in people of all ages. The takeaway? The atmosphere that wood helps to create is extremely conducive to interaction and conversation. This is important for corporate offices and workspaces, as wood can be used to facilitate group projects and idea generation.

From Inhabitat: These salvaged cabin wood offices at Twitter exemplify reclaimed wood’s ability to stimulate social interaction

Finally, there’s the effect of wood on the built environment in general. It’s no surprise that wood can create a great first impression, but as it turns out, wood can help organizations improve the built environment for all occupants. Additional research by Dr. Yuki Kawamura of Sumitomo Forestry Research, indicates wood enhances relaxation during times of rest while allowing for greater focus during times calling for concentration. For corporations, this is a critical piece of knowledge, as using materials like reclaimed wood can step-up employee morale and promote a more focused, creative team. Specifically, prominent usage of wood in the workplace can boost productivity, improve crisis response, and increase overall cognitive ability in workers. In a healthcare or hospitality environment, wood can be restorative and enhance healing.

From Studios Architecture: Plenty of wood in a workplace environment contributes to employee wellness

Biophilia: Why Reclaimed Wood Is Superior

You’ve likely noticed that all of the studies above didn’t specify what kinds of wood were involved; they only looked at the overall impact of wood in general. So why spotlight reclaimed wood? It’s obvious that reclaimed wood will allow for all of the benefits mentioned, but in addition, reclaimed wood can deliver emotional connection and greater biophilic effect.

From Fortune: Wood furnishings can significantly improve the workplace environment

Reclaimed wood has a history and a story. Sometimes this story is provided in a plaque but even if it is not, the wood’s patina and markings convey its prior life; its usefulness and utility live on. The wood’s history enhances the occupant’s experience in the space in an authentic and meaningful manner. We all love a good story, especially when the story taps into our emotions. Occupants will connect with reclaimed wood and that connection will transfer to a brand or the employer.

The raw, weathered nature of reclaimed wood creates a uniquely direct connection to the natural world. While standard wood paneling can still be effective, reclaimed wood simulates the natural environment more closely, making it better suited for biophilic design. It implements many of the 14 patterns that Terrapin Bright Green outlines in its 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design report. For example, the wear, texture and patina of reclaimed wood create a connection to natural systems, reminding viewers of organic change. Unsurprisingly, reclaimed wood is excellent at generating a material connection with nature, and the right amount of wood––approximately 45% coverage, according to Terrapin––can create feelings of comfort and peace. (Higher amounts of wood create even more comfort, which is great for hotels but could be counterproductive for workspaces.)

From Daily Journal of Commerce: In the built environment, wood facilitates a strong connection to nature

The biophilic nature of reclaimed wood also makes for a better human experience. Since wood offers a host of physical and mental benefits, it enhances the experience of being in a space, an idea experience designers are focusing on. Enrico Dagostini at Perkins+Will reflected on the firm’s use of wood in Vancouver SkyTrain stations, saying, “By incorporating wood in transit stations, we are able to create a warm and inviting experience in these high-volume public buildings, and in turn, reduce stress for passengers and building users, while elevating the perception of the value of public investment in transit infrastructure.” With wood, commercial spaces become more personable and comfortable. The physical benefits of wood (i.e., lower blood pressure and reduced stress) translate into a more pleasurable experience, which in turn creates a strong desire in occupants to revisit a space in which they feel calm.

The Future of Reclaimed Wood In Building Design

Reclaimed wood is much more than a design choice; it’s a catalyst for human wellness in any kind of built environment. Reclaimed wood is surging in popularity as a building material. Additionally, it’s becoming less of an accent piece and more of a focal point, helping to create a stronger connection to nature. More businesses are realizing the importance of wood in built environments, the usage of which varies from industry to industry. Corporate offices can implement wood to improve productivity and morale, while hospitality spaces can use wood as an agent of relaxation in guests. Furthermore, any kind of business can incorporate wood to create comfort and encourage return visits. The possibilities are myriad, but at the core of it all, the focus is on human wellness. Reclaimed wood helps to make the built environment a better place for humans to be, and that’s always a good thing.

Designing in wellness, betterment, and experience

In the last several years, there’s been a significant shift of focus in building design that has emphasized human wellness and betterment. Those core concepts are the foundation of experiential design, a new and exciting movement that reimagines what good design looks like.

Architects and designers have been considering not just how a space can look better but how it can be better for the humans that occupy it. Concepts like biophilic design have helped draw attention to a more human-centric design perspective, and experiential design is part of that trend.

What is experiential design?

Essentially, experiential design prioritizes human interaction with a built environment. In a commercial context, this means strategically using design elements to elicit an emotional connection to a brand and immerse occupants in a narrative. Today, creating an experience is more important than ever before. In its 2017 Experience Index, Gensler notes that “the human experience must be the driving force behind every element of a space––from the design of physical space to the qualities of interaction, expectation, and intention.”

In practice, this can take many different forms, but above all, engagement and emotional connection are the foundation of experiential design. If a space doesn’t allow its occupants to feel connected, it’s not experiential. For example, in an office setting, this might include creating spaces that facilitate workflow and optimize emotional and physical employee well-being.

Web design firm Achieve Internet uses graphics and the company’s orange to enhance the workplace atmosphere

This is where one of the big differences between experiential design and other contemporary perspectives comes in. Whereas some designers might create a space based on trends or aesthetics alone, experiential design looks at how humans will interact with the space and builds the environment not only around human needs but also the human experience. Input from to-be occupants is thus a crucial part of the process. This collaboration with occupants allows designers to understand users’ needs and expectations.

While experiential design at its core does require a deep look at how people will interact with a space, it goes above and beyond to emotionally connect people with the space. Signage, decor, and messaging that strongly align with the brand message are a few of the ways experiential design accomplishes this connection. In short, the branded content works hand in hand with the design to reflect the purpose of the space.

Twitter’s London office prominently displays hashtags and accounts for a holistic brand experience

What Does Experiential Design Look Like?

Human-centric design, branding, and interactivity are all vital pieces of the puzzle that is experiential design. The more connected someone feels to a space, the more they will want to come back to that space. In a business context, this translates to more hotel stays, more returning customers, and more brand ambassadors. More and more businesses and institutions are realizing this and are seeking out experiential designers to help them create these strong emotional connections.

Trillium Creek Primary School in West Linn, Oregon is an excellent example of experiential design in action. Teachers, staff, and students spoke up during the planning process to ensure the design would meet their needs for a school space that gave students a well-rounded educational experience. As a result, the final school design included elements like simulated trees and integrated play areas to encourage interaction throughout the building.

Trillium Creek Primary School incorporates experiential architecture elements for students and staff

Another outstanding example of experiential design is Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Monmouth. The legendary firm Perkins+Will worked to create a healing environment that would be noticeably different from other cancer centers. That ethic is evident in the facility’s design. A large courtyard, ample views of nature, and clean spaces inspired by the hospitality industry make MSK Monmouth truly unique. Jason Harper, medical planner and associate principal and Perkins+Will, said, “We wanted to give patients a positive, hope-filled and humane experience at a time when they’re feeling down, both emotionally and physically.”

From Health Facilities Management Magazine: The open, biophilic interior of MSK Monmouth was designed to optimize patient experience and comfort

Experiential design also lends itself to internal branding. This is a boon to companies who are looking to improve employee morale by creating a positive, brand-driven environment that reminds workers of a greater purpose. Shimano Cycling World in Singapore exemplifies this. An installation featuring brand imagery and a wall of bicycles connects both employees and visitors to the Shimano brand. That installation was created by Eight Inc., a leading experiential design firm. As Principal Jeff Straesser put it, “It’s more about traditional architects realizing it’s not enough to design something that’s visibly compelling. It’s about bringing all these other considerations into design experiences.”

From Curbed: This consistent and compelling branding is another way of utilizing experiential design

The Future of Experiential Design

As more architects and designers are considering what it means to build human-centric spaces, experiential design is rapidly becoming more mainstream. Design is becoming increasingly less about current trends and more about meeting human needs. When people have a quality experience in a space, they are more engaged. Engagement translates into more productive workers, more customers and more social shares of well-designed spaces. The role of experiential design is only bound to grow.

Theoretically, biophilic design is a fascinating concept that illuminates the human desire for a connection to nature. It has been the subject of several studies, one of the most well-known being Terrapin Bright Green’s “14 Patterns of Biophilic Design.” This analysis laid out vital concepts behind biophilic design, and I want to illustrate what some of these principles look like in action.

Visual Connection to Nature

Terrapin Bright Green defines this simply as “a view to elements of nature, living systems, and natural processes.” Though it’s simple, this principle can be immensely powerful when applied well. The Terrapin study specifies that studies have shown humans prefer a view involving a slope that leads to some sort of natural scene. Biophilic design needn’t attempt to adhere to this as dogma; rather, this preference provides a guideline for designers to consider. Using natural materials like weathered wood or stone can give a space more visual connection.

From Archello: This garden embodies the biophilic principle of a visual connection to nature

Thermal & Airflow Variability

Adequate ventilation and exposure to natural elements like light are both critical from a biophilic perspective. Since being in a natural space would entail changes in what one senses, biophilic design should replicate this variability. Terrapin places heat and air elements in their own category, although elements like sound are still important.

There are several natural and artificial means of creating this sort of variability. Naturally, a space can strategically direct sunlight to focal points that deserve the most solar contact. On the other hand, shadow and shade, which can be accomplished organically through design, are just as essential. Artificial means may include HVAC delivery, window treatment, and cross ventilation. Often, it is ideal to combine both natural and artificial strategies to create variability, especially because most environments are unable to use solely natural methods due to impracticality.

From Contemporist: This space demonstrates the biophilic principle of thermal and airflow variability

Connection with Natural Systems

Natural processes such as geology and hydrology play an important role in biophilic design. As with thermal and airflow variability, change is inherent in natural systems and thus a necessary inclusion in any biophilic environment. This variability is mostly organic, although there are methods of artificially supplementing the natural systems.

Integrating natural systems can be as simple as an ample view of a forest. On the other hand, it can be complex; for example, it might be desirable to control light to accommodate human circadian rhythms. It is most important for humans to be surrounded by and reminded of the cycles and systems in nature. Simulated options include the installation of wildlife habitats or aged wood with a noticeable patina.

From Oliver Heath: This panoramic view of water and vegetation allows for a natural connection to biophilic systems

Material Connection With Nature

This biophilic principle is one of the most flexible when it comes to design. Material connection may mean reflecting local ecology or simply utilizing a wide variety of materials to encourage visual difference, which can aid in maximizing the effects of biophilic design. Typically, colors that occur naturally (especially green) are used in conjunction with materials like naturally distressed wood. This can also extend to a textural level, such as using worn leather or stone to more thoroughly integrate natural details and satisfy subconscious biophilic needs.

From Office Star: GitHub’s San Francisco office is plentiful with wood and green materials

Complexity & Order

The concepts behind complexity and order emerge from natural and often mathematical patterns in nature such as fractals. Specifically, a space with a moderate amount of fractal usage will keep the space interesting while not making it overwhelming. While design doesn’t need to explicitly use mathematical sequences, it’s important for a space to have a sense of natural purpose. Symmetry also falls into this category and is a valuable tool in the biophilic designer’s arsenal.

From Terrapin Bright Green: This ceiling structure exemplifies fractal-based biophilic design

Prospect

Terrapin defines prospect as “an unimpeded view over a distance for surveillance and planning,” making it closely related to open design but in a more comprehensive fashion. Prospect can be applied to both inside and outside spaces, and it prioritizes lines of sight. This can be accomplished with elevated planes, unobstructed views, and centering traffic around a central hub. Prospect is also important to allow for the best views of natural elements and systems.

From TerraMai: The Google Quad campus has a high prospect level with open views

Conclusion

To get the most benefits from biophilic design, it’s essential to implement several of these biophilic principles. These concepts will turn a space from a nature-friendly environment into a full-fledged biophilic paradise.

The great designer Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day’s work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain.” That’s exactly the ethos of biophilic design. Biophilic design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also mentally beneficial. It’s an important concept for anyone interested in design or architecture to understand and implement.

From Metropolis: Biophilic design in action in the Genzyme Building in Cambridge, MA

The History of Biophilic Design

By now, biophilic design has become rather mainstream. More and more designers are integrating elements like wood, natural lighting, plants, and water. However, to truly understand the myriad applications of biophilic design, it’s crucial to understand its history and its philosophies. Metropolis Magazine says that “biophilic design seeks to connect our inherent need to affiliate with nature in the modern built environment.” Basically, it aims to include natural elements into contemporary architecture.

From EcoBuilding Pulse: This integrated garden utilizes biophiliac principles

The concept was introduced by E.O. Wilson in his 1984 book Biophilia. Wilson, a renowned biologist and University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard, outlined a fundamental tendency of human beings to be attracted to nature and emulate its processes and structures in everyday life. This is the basic idea that underlies biophilic design. The goal is to satisfy this biophilia by creating architecture that is an extension of nature.

From Glumac: A wide, open office that appeals to biophilia

While biophilic design has quickly risen to prominence in recent years for its broad aesthetic appeal, it also provides mental and psychological benefits that have been well documented in various studies. Biophilic design is especially important when designing spaces that people will spend large amounts of time in, such as a corporate office or classroom. Even though the concept of biophilia is relatively new, there has already been a good amount of research that affirms its claims of making humans happier.

A Natural Happiness

One of the more interesting hypotheses that some advocates of biophilia assume is that humans have developed a lifestyle that is too far removed from what could be considered natural. Therefore, biophilic design can foster happiness and well-being. This hypothesis has been observed and confirmed in several studies.

From TerraMai: The Clif Bar HQ is resplendent with biophilic design

One 2011 study from the Journal of Happiness Studies found that psychological health is linked to nature relatedness (NR). According to the study, “changes in NR mediate the relationship between environmental education and changes in vitality.” This study built upon a previous one from the same journal that cemented the connection between biophilia and mental health. This earlier study posited that the cultural and technological changes brought about by industrialization have caused negative psychological effects. The corollary, then, is that biophilic design can assist in remedying these drawbacks.

The Benefits of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, whether implemented in the workplace or a public area, has immense benefits that range from improvement in job performance to lower blood pressure. A global study by Human Spaces shared that employees who work in environments with natural elements have a 15% higher level of well-being and are 6% more productive. It seems that biophilic design is a boon to the workplace in particular; the BBC reported that one call center that rearranged its layout to give employees a better view of vegetation enjoyed an annual productivity savings that worked out to an average $2,990 per employee.

Specifically, there seem to be three main factors at work here: natural light, ventilation, and quality of view. A study by the California Energy Commission correlated an increase in these elements to improved performance. In any kind of space that utilizes biophilic design, you’ll find all three in abundance, so it’s safe to say they can be used as a list of vital criteria when evaluating an environment. These elements are often associated with minimalistic design, and while biophilic design works hand in hand with minimalist concepts, it can be used in all kinds of spaces.

From TerraMai: Priceline’s office showcases biophilic design

One of the best features of biophilic design is its flexibility in scale. A room or building doesn’t need to be completely remodeled to feature a massive garden; positive health effects can happen by making small changes. Simply introducing more plants into an office space has been found to increase productivity by 15%. Nonetheless, design that is inherently biophilic (rather than biophilic principles applied to existing environments) helps to maximize health benefits. Additionally, biophilic design can be applied to outside spaces as well.

From Icarus Films: An excellent example of large scale biophilic design

Conclusion

Biophiliac design is becoming more common thanks to its positive effects on human well-being, and it will likely become a standard for design in the future. Understanding and implementing biophilic principles are essential to creating environments that are ideal for humans.