Biophilic design – When nature dictates the canons of design.
Being in contact with nature improves our well-being and health conditions, relieves stress and has a positive effect on our mood by improving our cognitive and creative abilities. These needs should not be underestimated in the workplace, but on the contrary, we must be increasingly inclined to a hybrid approach by adopting the theories of the biophilic design where nature is the primary inspiration and becomes an integral part of the office.
Design inspired by nature.
This theory has evolved over time and has become the last frontier of design thinking. In 1965 the German-American sociologist and psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term “biophilia”, which means “love of life” or “living beings”. In the 1980s, the American biologist Edward Wilson hypothesized that humans have an innate tendency on focusing on their interest in life and vital processes. You cannot live a healthy and complete life away from nature. Man needs this direct contact and the complex geometry of natural forms, as much as he needs nutrients and oxygen. Starting from this concept Stephen R. Kellert, professor of social ecology, coined the term “biophilic design” to express the connection of human beings with nature in artificial environments.
Small steps for more natural offices.
The concept of biophilic design makes it possible to combine the urban environment with nature, recalling the natural elements and integrating their principles into spaces and architecture. Being inspired by nature therefore means designing spaces where you can move more freely. Bright and not too noisy environments, where the air quality is continuously monitored. Sustainable and tactile workstations.
Here are some ambitious goals for a green office where everyone can benefit from natural air and light, silence and comfort.
- Natural tones and materials. To convey a comfortable feeling to spaces, choose natural materials such as cork, stone or wood. This feeling can be amplified through colors that recall the tones of nature, lively and earthy.
- Stabilized plants and green walls. Increasingly popular thanks to their elegance and uniqueness, they produce therapeutic effects on the emotional state of man. Stabilized plants also have the ability to dampen environmental vibrations, dampening noise and noise pollution.
- Natural light. To allow more people to enjoy natural lighting, it is important to always leave the space in front of the windows free. If natural light is not enough it is advisable to orient the desks towards the outside.
- Flexible and light furnishings. Choose light seats and easy-to-move furniture to evoke freedom of movement and to be able to sit anywhere just like an open-air space.
Thanks to the biophilia-based design it is possible to have happier, healthier and more productive people.