2020 – 2021 has certainly been turbulent for many industries. And as we are seeing throughout Australia, many offices are continuing to operate with a work-from-home option.
However, with the nation continuing to increase in numbers of COVID-19 vaccines businesses are slowly allowing employees back into the office. With this slow return back into the office companies are now looking at innovative ways to embrace health and wellness in their workplace.
The question we are now often asked: ‘What are some innovative ways to increase overall health benefits?’
The answer is simple: Embrace Biophilic design into your return to work strategy as it will provide offices with a wide range of health benefits.
Some of the issues that employers must understand as employees return from their work-from-home situations, they will have to adapt to louder, employee-filled workplaces that can detract from their concentration and focus.
And some workers returning to the office will no doubt be experiencing feelings of anxiety, unease, and despondence. Employers face the risk of having a mental health crisis on their hands like never before.
It’s not just an employee’s mental health that will have taken a battering during pandemic confinement. Companies have always been mindful of their employees’ physical health, but after the emergence of COVID-19, it is now a major priority.
So why is Biophilic Design Important?
An important question to understand is that we spend roughly 90 percent of our time indoors already, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this fact.
Biophilic design term became popular in 1984 with biologist and naturalist Edward O. Wilson’s book, titled Biophilia hypothesis. Wilson suggests that ‘humans have a strong innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.’
Associated benefits include enhanced creativity and cognitive functioning, reduction in anxiety and stress, and improvement of our overall health and well-being.
The answer to this workplace problem simply lies in plant life and its natural ability to absorb pollutants, toxins, and airborne bacteria (just ask NASA!)
How to Invest in Biophilic Designs?
It is critical to consider the installations and ongoing maintenance to your project.
Working with an Interior Plantscape professional will give you piece of mind on selecting the perfect plants for the right place and maintain all plants so that workers and visitors enjoy the health benefits of your Biophilic Design.
Interior Plantscape Association have many members all over Australia and New Zealand who will be able to work with you during the design phase and take the worry out of ‘how to maintain your long-term Biophilic investment.’
Interested or have a question?
Contact one of our members: interiorplantscape.asn.au/directory
Note:
In a study naava.io/science/the-relative-benefits-of-green-versus-lean-office-space-three-field-experiments researchers compared the productivity levels of two groups of office workers who were exposed to different levels of nature contact.
Those who worked in offices with natural greenery saw a 15% rise in productivity over a three-month period, in comparison to those working with no greenery or natural elements within their immediate environment.
Written by:
Elaine Tunn
CEO Interior Plantscape Association