What is ‘Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli in Design

Non rhythmic sensory stimuli is biophilic design in nature, it triggers visual stimuli which makes people feel calm and relaxed.

The natural environment is always in motion,  something is always changing, so nature is never still. This natural flow is also known as a  natural rhythm, and it is a part of a human being too, only we don't think about it often enough. 

Do you find yourself tired spending hours in front of your TV or computer, listening to the static sound you can't avoid? People spend a lot of time indoors, surrounded by all these static sounds of technology.

That's why we need balance, and the key for it is NRS in interior design. 

Understanding Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli and the Natural Sounds We Need

Non rhythmic sensory stimuli or ‘NRSS’ are a part of the concept and they are created as a substance for calming nature sound we can hear outdoors. This imitation of natural rhythm is important not only for creating a pleasant vibe in a room but also for providing health and wellbeing benefits by increasing our wellbeing, happiness, and overall health.

Have you ever noticed how watching a fish tank makes you calm? Or how the raindrops sound good on a rainy day? Nature is made of all these sounds dynamic patterns and motions, and we are perfectly aligned with it. So NRSS in design strives to redeem this lack of natural sound by creating a space without too many static sounds.

How the Installation of NRSS in Design Works? 

These stimuli from the natural environment create natural rhythm in different workspaces, apartments, and indoor surroundings, we spend the most time in. This can be arranged with technology solutions, such as designed lighting animations with natural elements and sounds.

There are examples of the digital garden, with the sounds and motions that imitate natural ones. This kind of technology solution is often implemented in places such as waiting rooms, airports, doctor’s offices, where people often feel a lack of calmness.

Technology Free Solutions for the Implementation of the NRSS 

Without technology, there is still a way to create a natural rhythm indoors and be perfectly aligned with nature.

Indoor Plants

This is all a part of the wellness interior concept, that you can try, for instance, by putting a lot of plants in the room and creating a natural breeze.

Biophilic designers often work with horticulturists because plants are one of the biggest sources of the natural rhythm we can bring indoors.

Swaying grass or shimmering water features implemented in the interior design, which mimic natural motion, can also help you feel calm and relaxed.

Animals as Creators of Natural Rhythm

Interesting thing is that animals can also be participants in creating NRS in design of interior environments. As we’ve already mentioned, fish tanks are perfect for creating a relaxing vibe in the room. The motions of the fishes are so pleasant to watch, and the colours are usually pretty calming.

Examples of Biophilic Design That Evoke NRSS

Natural Lighting 

Creating a beautiful vibe with perfectly natural sounds and motions, wouldn't be much without good lighting. As you may predict so far, natural lighting is very important, so bringing natural light source as much as it can be brought is a big part of this story.  It fosters a connection to the outdoors, promoting well-being and productivity.

Advantage goes to healthy buildings because these are created from scratch to be the best example of biophilic design.

Water Features

Incorporating water features, such as fountains or reflecting pools, leverages simulated stimuli to enhance sensory experiences within the built environment. The repetitive natural motion of flowing water creates a mental respite for occupants, promoting environmental health and user well-being. These rhythmic sensory elements provide a contrast to the static beings of the office space, offering visitors exposure to non-rhythmic sensory stimuli that evoke a connection to natural environments.

Even a stunning computer generated waterfall is satisfying to watch after exposing too much screen time when you're at the office.

Exposed Elevators Inside Buildings

Exposed elevators within buildings offer a unique architectural element, integrating natural motion with the functional aspect of transportation. By providing transparency and connectivity between floors, these elevators stimulate the senses and promote user engagement with the built environment. The overall eleavator journey view might be brief but welcome distraction.

Their presence leverages naturally occurring stimuli, such as programmable lighting animations, to create a visually stimulating experience with shortened focal depth, inviting occupants to interact with their surroundings and fostering mental respite in the bustling urban environment.

Dichroic Glass

Dichroic glass, with its ability to reflect and transmit multiple colors depending on viewing angles, creates an ever-changing visual experience reminiscent of natural phenomena like the play of light on water or through foliage. Its incorporation into design elements adds vibrancy and intrigue, stimulating the senses and evoking a connection to the outdoors within indoor spaces.

Dichroic glass can increase sensory stimuli if a glass wall is not convenient in a rural environments.

Indoor Plants Integration

Incorporating indoor plants into the design not only enhances aesthetics but also positively impacts air quality, decreases blood pressure and mental well-being within an open plan office environment. These green companions contribute to a biophilic environment, reducing stress and facilitating creative thought processes among occupants. By bringing elements of nature indoors, they counteract the visually monotonous effects of digital technology, promoting user well-being and providing whimsical movements that rejuvenate the space.

Glass Walls for Outdoor Connectivity

Integrating glass walls blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, providing an opportunity for occupants to regain correct focus and alleviate physical discomfort in an open plan office environment. By offering unobstructed views of the rural environment and unexpected stimuli, these installations facilitate creative thought and enhance user well-being. Furthermore, the presence of glass walls supports biophilic design considerations, inviting visitors to experience whimsical movements of kinetic sculptures while promoting connectivity with nature.

How Does Natural Rhythm Affect Our Health? 

After explaining what non rhythmic sensory stimuli stands for, alongside how to implant it in our indoor environment, let’s explain why you should even consider this kind of interior design.

Natural sounds and motions are important for our health because a part of our perception picks up the rhythm of our environment. That’s why the natural rhythm has been shown to improve our heart rate, improve blood pressure too, and have a positive effect on the sympathetic nervous system. Also, natural, such stimuli and sounds help us feel more calm, happy and relaxed.

Even if you can’t see the difference, your subconscious can. It is because of one very interesting phenomenon known cognitive neuroscience as the peripheral field of vision, which is linked to sympathetic nervous system activity.

Where are the Peripheral Zones of our Field of Vision?

If our computer is in front of us, that means that it is in the centre of our field of vision, everything that is set on the left and right is in the peripheral zones of our field of peripheral vision.

The important thing thatNRS in the design stand for is putting all correct focus on the plants and sources of natural sound in these zones. By doing this you make sure that your subconscious will “pick up” all the good vibes natural rhythm is creating in surrounding environment.

So, if you want to implement some of subtle benefits of the natural rhythm factors in your working or living space, you should follow these tips in order to feel the health benefits.

Where Should you Implement Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli? 

To answer this question ask yourself what place makes you feel stressed or tired? If it is your home - implement some of these stimuli there. Unexpected sensory stimuli, such as rhythmic and moving artwork, can create a calming and safe environment. However if it is a workplace, then you should consider some changes there.

Not only does non rhythmic stimuli bring you better health conditions, but it also makes you more productive and energetic by incorporating objects or materials in consistent yet unpredictable motion. Additionally, visual stimuli can prevent low-level physiological stresses by periodically adjusting short visual focus focal lengths. So, a great idea is to follow these rules in creating space for work out too.

This text should help you to understand better environmental psychology and the health benefits of natural rhythm, and to start to think about our subconscious, that always strives to be perfectly aligned with nature. When the same sound is repeated in a static environment, non-rhythmic sensory stimuli can improve visual comfort and productivity, and even help in healthcare settings to relax and distract individuals.