Biophilic Design with PLN
At Cemac our team believes that incorporating Biophilic design into your space in vital to keeping your headspace clean and productivity amplified.
We collaborate with architects and suppliers who share our commitment to biophilic design. Drawing on the expertise of PLN, we’ve summarised key points that highlight the benefits of incorporating natural elements into your space. The following insights demonstrate why biophilic design is an excellent choice for enhancing well-being and productivity in any environment.
We’d love to explore how we can help you integrate biophilic elements into your space. Visit us for a coffee and a chat to discuss the best solutions for your needs.
“Biophilic design has been shown to provide measurable benefits to humans in work, education, and health spaces.” – PLN Group
We believe that creating a healthier planet begins with the spaces we inhabit, whether at home or in the workplace.
Biophilia is the innate desire for humans to connect with nature. Biophilic design incorporates natural elements into the design of spaces and the built environment. It can draw inspiration from nature for patterns and design or use natural materials like wood or stone to bring the outside in. Acoustics, lighting, and airflow are also closely associated with biophilic design, enhancing indoor spaces with natural aspects.
Research demonstrates that biophilic design in workplaces, educational institutions, and health environments delivers real and measurable benefits, including increased creativity, productivity, enhanced learning, and faster recovery.
“Linking Pod system for connected working” l Park Pod, inspired by nature.
This nature inspired, biophilic design can contribute resilience from stress in the workplace. The Park Pod is cost effective and ideal for open plan work environments. The upholstered sides absorb sound and create a quieter, calmer work environment where the user can ‘park’ for a short drop in, or utilised as a breakout workspace when some extra focus is needed.
Reconnecting with Nature
Evolution is a slow process, and while the dramatic increase in human brain size happened hundreds of thousands of years ago, our brains continue to adapt and develop throughout our lives. Although we face a vastly different world today, some aspects of our brain function retain echoes of our ancestral environment.
Primary Elements of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design can include natural materials like plants, water, stone, and wood, or visual links to nature such as views of greenery, trees, or water. It also encompasses representative elements like curves, natural color palettes, textures, graphics, and fractal patterns. These aspects create a holistic connection with nature in our living and working spaces.
Applications of Biophilic Design
Understanding biophilia allows for the application of natural elements in design. For example, office pods can be designed to offer refuge and focus, using materials that reduce acoustic load and shapes that provide separation without isolation. However, a single biophilic element won’t suffice; a comprehensive strategy including acoustic lighting, breakout areas, dividers, airflow, colors, and office planting is needed to create a cohesive, nature-inspired environment.
Fractals Reducing Stress
Blair McColskey of PLN explores how fractal patterns, seen in nature, can reduce stress by up to 60%, according to research by Richard Taylor. Incorporating fractal patterns in design can calm patients in hospitals or reduce stress in the workplace, enhancing productivity and creating a happier environment.
Productivity +6% Creativity +15% Wellbeing +15%
Less is Not More
Simply adding a few plants is not enough; a biophilic design strategy is essential. A well-planned biophilic environment, where all elements work together, provides significant benefits for health, productivity, and wellbeing.
Economics of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design not only promotes health and wellbeing but also offers economic benefits. Research by Terrapin Bright Green and other studies show increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and higher creativity in biophilic environments. For example, workers with views of nature report higher productivity and wellbeing.
Biophilia and its design principles are here to stay, addressing the modern world’s challenges by re-adapting to our brain’s natural desires.
At Cemac Commercial Interiors, we understand the importance of biophilic design and can provide advice and tailored solutions to enhance your workspace. Contact us to learn how biophilic design can impact your project or workspace positively.
