The positive effects of biophilic design

Vanessa Champion, Editor and Founder of the Journal of Biophilic Design, discusses why a connection to nature could be the answer to many of the problems in the built environment.

Biophilic design – the incorporation of nature and natural systems into the built environment – can have a positive effect on factors ranging from sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets to wellbeing and neurodiversity considerations. But even for people focused on cold, hard figures, it presents some notable benefits too.

“It’s important to know that biophilic design also increases real estate value,” says Vanessa Champion,  Editor of the Journal of Biophilic Design. “In housing, biophilic design contributes to 7% higher sales and rental value, and if you put biophilic design elements in the local areas – planting trees and social areas – there is 7-8% less crime and domestic violence. In hospitality, views of nature increase room rates by 23%, while 36% more time is spent in nature-filled lobbies. People gravitate to nature because that is our natural state. It’s only our built environment that has changed.”

The increasing recognition of people’s natural needs has led to the adoption of biophilic design principles in developing standards – such as the BSI PAS 6463:2022 standard for neurodiversity. But perhaps even more effective is the fact that socially conscious businesses are starting to understand the possibilities presented by biophilic design.

“Nearly every company wants to do the right thing with ESG, staff wellbeing and net-zero targets, so people in construction are looking for solutions, with biophilic design being an increasingly important part of that. It’s not just about putting in a couple of pot plants – it’s about using more natural materials, and bringing in more natural light and better acoustics.

“Those then bring further benefits. If companies use things like living walls to reach their ESG targets it has a positive effect on biodiversity, as they also help to cool buildings in summer and warm buildings in winter – which means, of course, that you need less energy for heating and air conditioning.”

The design stage is a vital point at which to promote biophilic design elements, and Champion believes architects and engineers should help clients understand not only possible solutions – bigger windows for more natural light, for example – but also the economic arguments for their use.

Much can be done in existing buildings. “One of the really important elements of biophilic design is lighting, particularly circadian lighting that matches nature’s rhythm. At the workplace, achieving that is often difficult owing to location or budgetary constraints, but putting tunable lighting on people’s desks is a cheap and effective option that means people will get home less stressed,” she says.

“Perhaps the simplest thing to do is to move desks towards the window, especially if you overlook a park or something similar. We are 6% more productive when we have views of nature. It doesn’t even have to be a real view of nature; a print or canvas can have a similar effect. Earthy colourways also have a positive impact – sage green is one of the best colours for workplaces.”

Finally, distraction is a huge element that reduces productivity. Biophilic design patterns encourage better acoustics and zoning for open-plan floors, and these can bring significant benefits.

“Have noisy areas for sales or creative collaboration, but then make sure there are quiet zones for people to work. Zoning also reduces heating costs because you don’t have to heat the whole floor; you can create areas that are cooler and warmer,” Champion says.

“I recently interviewed Joyce Chan Schoof, who is an architect and sustainability lead at the UK Parliament. Her research – using control environments and adding biophilic design elements to test their effect, and then removing them to further test the effect of their absence – showed that for every £1 you spend on biophilic design you get around £2.70 back.

“So, as well as all the benefits to people’s wellbeing, I really believe biophilic design can have a huge effect on a business’ full range of operations.”

Bloom and thrive

This year’s Workspace Design Show’s theme ‘Bloom – Exploring the Thriving Ecosystem of Work Life’ put biophilia hand in hand with workplace wellbeing. The annual trade show for businesses, architects, designers and end-user occupiers looks at every element of creating workplaces that inspire and support working life. For building engineers, it provides the opportunity to preview the products, designs and innovations that will likely start to be specified in new build and retrofit office and workspace projects.

From lighting and acoustics to furniture and furnishings, the connection with nature was palpable. The Design Talks Lounge (pictured), for example, presented a 66-metre custom printed fabric backdrop featuring a forest design that was enhanced by live plants and moss. The Insights Lounge created by Lisa Pasi, interior designer with international architects practice BDP, promoted using natural materials within the workplace environment. Wood and stone are not only aesthetically pleasing but also positively influence mood. Pasi says: “Despite being constantly reminded of our connection to nature through our senses, this association tends to diminish when we find ourselves indoors, surrounded by artificial light and synthetic materials.

“Therefore, by adhering to biophilic design principles, the inclusion of natural materials will establish a connection to nature, bolstering concentration, creativity and job satisfaction.”

The Journal for Biophilic Design will be holding its first ever conference at the Barbican Centre in London on 12 November 2024. For more information, visit b.link/JoBD_BDC
For a full list of Workspace Design Show 2024 exhibitors, visit b.link/WDS_exhibitors

Image credit | Supplied