The world’s greatest flower show returns to Chelsea this month from 24-28 May, with stunning garden designs and displays.
But while the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of the beauty of plants, many workplaces are understanding that their benefits go beyond aesthetics.
Here are some pointers on how biophilic office design and ‘bringing the outside in’ could be good for your business.
What is biophilic office design?
The term ‘biophilic’ is associated with an affinity with the natural world and organically occurring elements within it.
This may typically include flowers and plants but also natural light and even the colours and sounds of nature.
In terms of office design, there are many ways these can be incorporated, including:
- Less reliance on electric lighting and ventilation
- More greenery/planting
- Water features
- Earthier/greener colour schemes
- More natural materials in furniture
The important thing to remember is that achieving some level of biophilic office design is a realistic goal, regardless of budget.
Even if you can’t stretch to a building encircling a forest, like Apple’s Cupertino HQ, by working with a supportive professional, you can get results.
An office designer that understands your business goals and has experience of incorporating biophilic elements will be able to help.
How does biophilic office design benefit workers?
There are numerous studies that highlight the impact access to natural light and a view of the outdoors can have on wellbeing, productivity and motivation.
And it doesn’t have to mean knocking walls down – simply making better use of space, flexible partitioning, glass partitioning or workstation planning can achieve results.
Incorporating textures and materials found in nature, such as wood grain or stone can also heighten the connection with the outdoors.
And while it might be overdoing it to create a garden worthy of Chelsea in your office, the introduction of planting can prove beneficial.
Office plants can help to oxygenate the space, as well as acting as filters for various airborne contaminants and chemicals.
And to make a real feature of greenery in the workspace, a ‘living wall’ makes a real talking point as well as contributing to team wellbeing.
Want to bring the outside in?
Whether you manage to get tickets for Chelsea Flower Show or not, you can still see more of nature in your workplace.
By using the presence of the natural world as a positive in your office environment, you can boost worker wellbeing.
To talk about the available options or ask any questions, please speak to a member of our helpful team today.
