Biophilia
Biophilia refers to the human attraction and innate biological connection with nature and other forms of life. This genetic connection, built over tens of thousands of years helps to explain our emotional response to the natural world. Whether this is a calming walk through woodlands, captivating views of lakes and mountain ranges or the enchanting effects of crashing waves and crackling fires.
The term biophilia was introduced and popularized by Edward O. Wilson in his book, Biophilia (1984). He defines biophilia as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design reconnects this inherent attachment, by embracing a visual connection to nature that engages our emotional response to the natural world. This is achieved by bringing aspects of nature into the built environment through introducing planting, materials, textures and finishes. With the average person spending close to 90% of their time indoors, biophilic design aims to find ways of reconnecting people back to nature within their homes and places of work.
The benefits on Biophilic Design in the Workplace
Biophilia plays a big role in staff wellbeing and numerous studies have shown the benefits to both physical and mental wellbeing in the working environment.
Some of the key benefits include:
– lowering tension
– reducing anxiety
– decreasing fatigue
– increasing productivity
– increasing staff creativity
– reducing absenteeism
– increasing presenteeism
– increasing staff retention
How we implement Biophilic Design
In terms of an interior design & fit-out this is can be achieved through maximizing outdoor views, introducing living walls, specifying free standing/suspended/wall hung planting, incorporating natural patterns, textures and natural materials whilst avoiding synthetic and plastics for natural fibers and textiles wherever possible.
At FIVE Interiors staff wellbeing is at the forefront of our designs and we take a holistic approach to each project, analysing acoustics, biophilic design, air quality, thermal comfort, ventilation, lighting levels, lighting control systems, ergonomics, furniture specification, material specification and sustainability. Combining all these elements enable us to provide the ideal working environment for our clients and their staff.