Having lots of greenery helps purify the air by filtering indoor air pollutants (including formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene). Plants are also known for absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing it back into the environment as oxygen.
Design that connects us to nature has been proven to inspire us, to boost productivity, and contribute to a stronger sense of well-being. Now, more than ever, we must bring the outdoors in to create biophilic interiors that reference nature in materiality, in sustainability, that use natural geometries, and through the obvious way of introducing plants and green environments.
By definition, a fundamental goal of biophilic design is to create places and spaces that connect us to nature, and which contribute to our health and well-being.
Our natural environment is the built environment—our homes, our workplaces, and our spiritual homes. We spend 90% of our time indoors! By definition, a fundamental goal of biophilic design is to create places and spaces that connect us to nature, and which contribute to our health and well-being. Biophilic design requires sustained and repeated engagement with nature.
Adding an isolated plant will not create biophilic design nor garner its benefits. Yet, it’s perhaps a good first step.
Perhaps planting a biophilic seed is a good start. Let’s face it—plants tend to be an afterthought in interior design. While we know they add a “living” aspect, they need care and maintenance. Adding an isolated plant will not create biophilic design nor garner its benefits. Yet, it’s perhaps a good first step. Plants help foster warmth and emotional attachment to settings, which in turn relates to increased productivity. Plus, even better—we begin to identify with and sustain places we inhabit.
Plant service companies can help us care for plants and living walls. Or we can learn to care for them ourselves; perhaps forging garden clubs, kids plant care groups, and more. However, we choose to manage greenery, well-chosen plants and living walls will enhance our environments. They’re beautiful and “alive.”
During COVID-19, we’ve all become more aware of air quality. Having lots of greenery helps purify the air by filtering indoor air pollutants (including formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene). Plants are also known for absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing it back into the environment as oxygen. Check out The NASA Clean Air Study, a project led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in association with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to research ways to clean the air in space stations. This study provides proven, quantifiable facts. Given the past few pandemic years, we’re happy to mention the fact that plants help us fight colds and allergies by increasing humidity and decreasing dust.
Biophilic design requires sustained and repeated engagement with nature.
Greening our public spaces shows we care. It provides a natural boost to moods, has been shown to reduce stress, to reduce noise, and to invigorate us. As a value proposition, plants are relatively inexpensive to invest in. It’s hard to ignore the multiple benefits that accompany plants. Take a first step towards a biophilic interior—plant some seeds!
