He even goes as far to say that people can concentrate better after spending time outdoors. According to environmental psychologist Stephen Kaplan, nature engages the mind and helps to restore directed attention and focus. Steelcase researchers have found that the presence of nature was a predominant advantage that could be used for healthier outcomes in the workplace. In addition to nature’s benefits for individual wellbeing, research shows that bringing natural elements into the office can have organizational benefits too. The principle of biophilia states that human beings are innately drawn to nature for their wellbeing, and researchers are discovering that myriad benefits follow when companies integrate natural elements in the workplace.īeyond plant life, many biophilic elements bring physical and psychological benefits, including natural lighting, natural materials such as wood and stone, natural patterns and colors, and views of water and wildlife. The recognition of our intrinsic human attraction to the natural world has spawned a field of study called biophilia or biophilic design-design inspired by nature. The vertical garden is also known as a green wall, ecowall, green façade or living wall.Ī great example is the moss wall, pictured above, which is a primary feature of the Coalesse showroom in Chicago. It’s an exciting promise that few companies are taking full advantage of.Īround the same time as the NASA study, a French botanist named Patrick Blanc began developing the concept of the “vertical garden”-a collection of green plants, artistically arranged on the face of a wall or other vertical structure. This means that in addition to extracting carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen-as all plants do-some plants can pull more fumes and pollutants from the air. ![]() Results, published in 1989, said that “plants can play a major role in the removal of organic chemicals,” including benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, from indoor air. Researchers were looking for ways to improve the air inside the closed environment of a space station. In the 1980s, NASA began studying the effects of houseplants on indoor air quality. ![]() To learn more about living green walls, visit. They are springing to life across the world on the exteriors of skyscrapers, in hotel lobbies, office reception areas and more. In this era of maximizing space, vertical green walls are becoming popular as a solution to providing benefit of indoor plants without taking up floor space. ![]() They can even earn buildings LEED points and WELL credits. The installation of a structure like a green wall also sends a message to employees that they are employed at a company that is concerned with providing them with an enjoyable work environment. Simply seeing nature in the work environment can increase job satisfaction. Just being close to plants can have a positive impact on an individual’s wellbeing. According to Ambius, a premier creator of ambience for businesses, green walls incorporated into a biophilic design plan can help improve creativity, reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, and other workplace concerns. Research has shown that air quality and lighting at work can have significant effects on brain function and productivity.
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