A green and bright workplace with biophilic design to boost employee wellbeing
Harleen McLean 
Introducing components of nature, greenery and natural lighting into the workplace has been shown to have a positive impact on employee physical and mental health, creativity and productivity, and here are some simple and low-cost methods of achieving this, even in the most contested or built-up areas. However it is advised to talk to a biophilic design consultant before you plan your idea of incorporating biophilic design elements.
What are the benefits for physical health?
· One primary advantage of biophilic design is its ability to improve the physical health of employees in the workplace.
· This includes the use of small gardens, indoor plant walls and natural materials in the fabric of the building itself.
· Incorporating indoor planting schemes can help to purify the indoor air and reduce indoor pollutants, as well as helping to ensure good humidity levels in environments such as offices.
· Research suggests that exposing employees to natural and green spaces within your work environment can significantly boost up immune system
· It also reduce longevity of illnesses thus reduce absenteeism at your workplace
· Biophilic designs are introduced in healthcare sector to give patients a feeling of psychological well being
What are the mental benefits?
· Introducing biophilic design features in office or working environment help workers/employees recover from mental issues like stress, anxiety etc
· Anxiety feelings are significantly reduced when employees suffering from the above conditions find themselves in an environment where natural lighting and plants are present
· Happiness quotient is considerably increased when employees see small plants, and biomorphic forms and patterns.
It is advised to see a biomorphic forms and patterns biophilic design consultant to fill your workspace with biomorphic elements on your office furniture, upholstery, walls, ceilings and floors. Animal pictures and images or green trees or lawns on your walls, furniture, and office accessories will remind you of nature and the associated happiness when you see and react after sighting nature.
· Seek help from Nature based design consultant
Looking at green spaces and outdoor areas help employees to feel connected to nature even when they are working indoors. Sense of connected to nature produces positive thoughts in employees which consequently show in the increased production for the day. You will need specialists like a Nature based design consultant to find the right mixture of biophilic design elements that will fit right in to your office layout and scheme and the type of work your employees do.
