Benefits of a biophilic office design

Our work environment impacts our mood, performance, and productivity. Amidst our busy lives within the four walls of the skyscrapers, we barely get any time to connect with nature. With millions of digital distractions and deadline pressures, we are restricted to our cubicles and are pushed into a ‘nature deficit’.

More and more companies are moving towards open office spaces to enable people to easily connect and enjoy the restorative effects of nature. Over the past few years, there has been a burgeoning demand for biophilic office design. Coworking space providers are constantly innovating and designing workspaces with elements that help us feel closer to nature – with a mix of natural elegant colours and patterns, indoor plants and even plant walls. Most of the shared coworking space providers are encouraging green elements to keep employees rejuvenated and maintain a positive vibe. We spend most of our time either commuting to work or chasing deadlines, which is why, Smartworks managed office spaces in India have offices that focus on providing modern workspaces that focus on employee’s productivity and wellness.

Here are three reasons why modern offices need to reconnect with nature:

1) Maximised Productivity:

A recent UK study on the relative benefits of green versus lean office space showed that offices with natural light and greenery witnessed a 15% rise in productivity over a period of three months in comparison to those working within the walls of their cubicle. Natural light can help improve employee wellbeing by boosting the creation of melatonin, which enhances the energy levels of individuals. Most coworking spaces have open workspace areas for maximised collaboration and recreational zones, where employees can relax and rewind.

2) Physical Health:

Coworking spaces are now introducing plants, living green walls into the office floor to improve the air quality as these plants help absorb pollutants, toxins and airborne bacteria. Apart from improved air quality, the presence of plants in the office space reduces stress by half and helps in keeping the employees relaxed. Research by the US Joint Commission claimed that employees who had a window or a plant on their desk had a huge impact on sickness and absence rates.

3) Mental Wellbeing:

Most employees across the world spend at least 90% of their working hours, inside their cabins or at their desks, which increases their stress levels by a whopping 75%. Gensler’s study proves that the proximity to nature helps in fostering a positive outlook by lowering stress and hypertension. Access to natural light and wooden furniture is the easiest way of creating a harmonious work ambience.

The millennial workforce of today aspires to work in a vibrant office space with a modern biophilic office design which engenders a sense of belonging. Some agile office space providers are constantly helping enterprises redesign their workspaces to make them more employee-friendly and personal-with plants, sunlight and vibrant décor, workstations feel more relatable at a sensory level. With the boundaries of work and personal life constantly diminishing, it is the responsibility of the companies/enterprises to adapt to the idea of wellness by providing a nurturing work environment.