Biophilic Design: A Key to Unlocking Well-Being

In our last blog, we took a deep dive into the concept of biophilic design and various elements of that design trend. From living walls to moss decor and organic shapes to color palettes, we saw how a space can be transformed with biophilia.

This trend does not merely provide visual inspiration to the eye: it actually promotes well-being. From increasing creativity to enhancing productivity and more, there are many ways that transforming a space with nature has been proven to better our lives.

The Benefits of Biophilia

The benefits of biophilic design go far beyond the visual to include psychological and emotional benefits, ultimately enhancing aesthetics and well-being from workplaces to airport lobbies, hotel lounges and more.

“Greenery and biophilic design remain popular because they address our fundamental human need for a connection to nature, which positively impacts health, well-being and productivity. Biophilic design also offers an aesthetic appeal that traditional decor cannot match,” said Vice President of Technology & Supply Chain, FASTSIGNS International, Inc., Brian Boehm. “However, the most compelling driver of this trend is that it represents a modern, forward-thinking approach to architecture. It not only fulfills our psychological need for nature but also creates a culture of wellness that bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor spaces.”

FASTSIGNS brings a creative wall mural to life at a Colorado apartment community. Photo credit: Buddy Williams

Enhanced Productivity

Recreating the idea of being outside in nature is not just a great decision for people’s health, it’s also a great business decision. Boehm noted that many employers are recognizing that botanical elements lead to increased focus and overall job satisfaction, resulting in enhanced productivity and employee performance.

The Savage Way, a Charlotte-based company that provides eco-friendly Clean Graffiti Art and Moss Art shared a European study in their company lookbook. According to the study, people who worked in biophilic workspaces saw a 15% rise in productivity over a three-month period. It also highlighted that the presence of plants inside a building increases the feelings of well-being in humans by 40%.

This enhanced productivity not only impacts workers, it can positively impact students as well. Test scores have been shown to increase 25% with classrooms that include daylight. This confirms the benefits of nature across a variety of age groups and something for architects, campuses and government agencies to factor into their building plans.

A creative Propelled Brands employee transforms her cubicle into a life-giving space with a decor wall and nature design. Photo credit: Cynthia Spann

Lowers Stress and Leads to Healing

The same natural light that helps enhance productivity also helps with healing. Did you know that having one window inside a room of a hospital reduces the time a patient stays and even their pain medication level?

Torrie Savage, who is one of the co-founders of The Savage Way, shared that scientists have proven that healthier amygdalas (the part of the brain where all your emotions are processed and links them to learning, senses and memories) have been shown in people who live near a forest. Maybe that’s led to the resurgence and interest of the Japanese concept, shinrin-yoku, also known as “forest bathing,” coined in the 1980s. According to an article on the National Geographic site, this ecotherapy was adopted by the Japanese to provide an eco-antidote to technology burnout and help people protect and reconnect with forests.

Greenery, calming colors and natural light can all contribute to healing in the body. Photo credit: Alex Molisk

Nature brought indoors through biophilic design also helps lower stress levels. Savage also shared how reset rooms for doctors and nurses, painted in calming colors and with greenery, led to healthier vitals taken after being in the room for some time than when they first entered. “In addition to calming our nervous systems, Moss also helps reduce noise through absorption properties it naturally has. “Pole moss is more sound absorbing than the black sound panels and looks nice too!,” she added.

Sparks Even More Creativity

Creativity is another incredible result of cultivating nature indoors. Working on a creative team or seeking innovative ways to elevate creativity company-wide? According to a human spaces report that was also highlighted by Gensler, biophilic design not only improves productivity but increases creativity up to 15%. Additional studies detail how nature exposure actually elevates cognitive flexibility while also increasing the ability to problem solve.

Spaces that inspire more creativity can be accomplished with greenery and nature design. Photo credit: Valeria Boltneva

Read more: How to Cultivate a Stronger Brand with Biophilic Design

Cultivate a Healthier Business with Biophilic Design

In a world full of urban environments and overwhelming screens, biophilic design is a concept and ultimately a path that can lead people to breathe deeper and create more harmony in their lives. This concept continues to gain traction, because the desire to engage the beautiful and healing properties of nature are something woven into us from the beginning.

Ready to create a wellness space, culture and experience with custom greenery walls, moss art and more? Contact FASTSIGNS to transform your business using biophilic design.