BIOPHILIC OFFICE DESIGN
Inspiration from Nature
By Cate O’Toole
Did you know that by incorporating nature into the workplace you can help increase employees’ creativity and focus while reducing stress? This type of interior design is referred to as BIOPHILIC DESIGN.
Though this could be interpreted by some as “throw a bunch of potted plants around the office,” it involves so much more than that! This type of design incorporates the following:
Natural Materials: Wood, stone, and greenery to literally bring the outdoors inside
Environmental Graphics: Wallpapers and imagery to mimic a landscape or faux scenery
Variety of Color: Get away from sleepy (boring!) office colors and try vibrant color tones
Natural Light: If windows or skylights aren’t an option – go for lighting features with sunlight bulbs
Outdoor Spaces: From roof gardens to patios, if you have access to an outdoor space, use it!
This brings me to some design inspiration from Mother Nature herself: INSECTS!
Quick disclaimer: I am not suggesting you fill your office with bugs since HR would frown on that… Though a little desktop ant farm or patio beehive might be OK’d.
Instead, I’m showing how nature itself is an amazing palette to draw color and texture inspiration from. Here are three little guys that stood out to me in my little garden here in Worcester, Massachusetts and are each their own example of the design elements above.
Want to discuss Biophilic Design for your office space?
See the slideshow below featuring a selection of photos from our previous projects including environmental graphics, use of greenery, and natural materials. Biophilic Design in action!