Building design that promotes the health of mind and body is important now more than ever. North Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors, and the effects can be seen in our sleep, diet, moods, and more. With full-time employees working an average of 8.5 hours per day, a significant portion of that indoor time is most likely spent at work.
So as an employer…can your building design impact the productivity and overall professional satisfaction of your team and customers? You betcha! And here’s how to get started.
From ergonomic furniture to healthier food options, understanding the value of investing in the spaces that employees and visitors use each day cannot be overlooked. This includes incorporating biophilia into your site design.
Biophilia may sound complex, but its definition is quite simple: the innate love that all humans have for nature and natural elements.
Contact with nature has been proven to provide numerous neurological and psychological benefits, ranging from quicker healing for hospital patients to happier employees.
In fact, research has shown that employees are almost 20-percent more productive while working in a space that has been enriched with natural elements like plants and artwork.
In this article, we will provide a clear understanding of why biophilia is a beneficial element of design, and three simple ways to promote wellness through design, including the impact of colors on mood, and exactly how to add elements of nature to your site’s design products and features.
Let’s dive in!
#1. Consider Biophilia in Design
Biophilia is the reason why a walk outside promotes relaxation, and why we are soothed by the sounds of ocean waves or raindrops. Nature has restorative, healing effects on the human psyche. These positive effects are both anecdotally known and scientifically proven, which is why the conversation around biophilia is deepening, and the design industry is embracing a wellness revolution.
Vive la révolution!
By tapping into our powerful, innate responses to nature, biophilic design can be used to reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity, improve well-being, and even expedite healing.
As the world population continues to urbanize and spend more time indoors, these qualities are essential. It’s an important focus for nearly all industries, and national accreditation programs such as Fitwel® and the Well™ Building Standard have been developed to focus on the health of a building’s inhabitants, encouraging them to move, connect, and reflect in a more natural environment.
If you are ready to make wellness a central part of your site plans, the principles of biophilic design provide an excellent map to follow. One of the most important elements to consider is the influence and careful use of color.
View some of our recent projects now and find the natural connections!
#2. Embrace The Connection Between Color and Mood
One of the easiest ways to make a big impact on your space is through color. Colors that resemble nature (such as green, blue, and brown) have been shown to positively impact the well-being of employees in corporate settings. Here are some of the benefits of natural colors for both mood and productivity:
- Green: Associated with nature, growth, and renewal, green is a great choice for areas that want to encourage alertness, innovation, and creativity. Softer, more subtle shades of green can also create feelings of calmness and reduce anxiety.
- Blue: Vibrant shades of blue can increase energy and productivity – which is part of why the blue light from your phone can make it hard for you to fall asleep. However, pale blue hues can mimic our perception of the light at the end of the day and can have a similar effect of soft green hues, promoting calm, relaxed feelings.
- Brown: Shades of brown are strong, impactful, and create a professional atmosphere. Colors on the spectrum of brown also provide an excellent base and balance for more vibrant colors.
The benefits of each of these nature-based colors can be employed in numerous ways and locations, depending on what your goals are for that particular working environment. Beyond colors, there are several additional ways to easily add impactful elements of nature to your office or building design.
In the mood to update your education building? This checklist can help! View and download - Checklist: Key Considerations for Designing Education Buildings.
#3. Add Elements of Nature to Design Products and Features
Understanding biophilia-friendly design and wanting to take advantage of its many benefits does not mean that you need to relocate your operations to a rustic campsite. (Yikes!)
On the contrary, there are many nature-focused design products and features that can easily be added to nearly any existing space.
Consider these nature-inspired design elements in your next project:
- Wall images of nature and natural scenery. Artwork, murals, and other design elements make it easy to introduce elements of nature in any space to promote well-being. Studies show that offices with live plants, greenery, and water features have a significantly higher level of employee well-being than those that are devoid of nature. Consider adding wall photography of plant life or artwork in soothing earth tones to your next design space. Or go a step further and bring your walls to life with amazing skylines, soothing seascapes and nature's best elements with Aspex® Wall Protection.
- Window drapery with a connection to nature. Global trends show that offices providing natural light also improve well-being, and window views of greenery and water have been linked to lower levels of stress.
- Shades focused on comfort. Window shades allow for natural light and view while also providing comfort through privacy and temperature control. The right shades will allow you to bring the outdoors in without compromising on functionality.
Textiles that mimic organic shapes and wallcovering with nature-inspired textures evoke sensations of the outdoors.
These design choices are quick to implement and offer long-lasting benefits as a result of a simple initial investment. That’s the power of nature!
The specific biophilia-based design elements you choose to incorporate may vary based on the features of your individual site. Fortunately, there are a wide range of wellness-focused worksite design products available.
Take a look at these colors, finishes, and fabrics to get started on your project.
‘Well-Designed’ Inpro Products
From high-end historic properties with wall-to-wall windows to commercial facilities faced with heavy industrial use, there are design options that can help bring the outdoors in.
Incorporating some or all of these products is an easy way to increase wellness at your site or workspace:
Aspex® Printed Wall Protection
Your image. Your branding. Your statement. Aspex Printed Wall Protection gives you total design freedom while protecting your walls from the toughest damage at the same time. You select the image, we bring it to life with this durable, wall protection product.
Solar Shades
Maintain your view of the outdoors while blocking the sun’s heat and glare with Solar Shades. An array of operational choices and shade textiles guided by expert specialists assure the perfect fit for your space.
Drapery
Crafting textiles to dress your windows is our specialty. Full service from design to installation means you get worry-free windows dressed to impress!
Digitally Printed Wall Art
Take your interiors from ordinary to extraordinary with your imagery on a durable surface, perfect for commercial buildings.
A well-designed space encourages inhabitants to connect with nature, promoting wellness, healing, and creativity.
Are you interested in learning more about Inpro’s focus on wellness through design?
- Learn more about the 2020 Balance Palette and let it inspire your next space!
- Get to know biophilia on a more personal level with this article on the basics.
- Take a look at this project that incorporates biophilia in the design.
Can we support you as you plan the design for a new or renovated space? What features would you like to include? Contact our team or request a quote now to learn how we can help.
Sources:
1. Kumar, Monica. “Designing for Health: Light, Circadian Rhythms, and the Health of Caregivers.” Contract Design, 8 Feb. 2018,
(2) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/charts/american-time-use/emp-by-ftpt-job-edu-h.htm
3. Yale, Kadie. “Biophilia Study: Keys to Employee Health and Wellness.” Buildings, 14 Dec. 2018,