Creating healthy interiors for home & office
Healthy interior design - the basics
Our approach here focuses on creating natural, healthy and sustainable spaces via eight different applications: plants, light, colours, sound, scent, materials, air quality and decor.
Natural light
Fill your space with natural light whenever possible but when the sun’s rays aren’t available, find a lighting system that uses blue-white tones in the middle of the day, and amber tones both early and late in the day as a way to replicate the body’s natural circadian rhythm. The Philips HUE system does a decent job of this.
Neutral colours
When choosing a colour palette, notice that bright tones can energise while tonal neutrals will create a more calming, grounded interior. Try opting for colors that you might see in the wilderness, like browns, beiges, and greens. Still looking for a pop of bright color? Try a dash of sunshine yellow or a bright sky blue. There will be plenty of green anyway from all the plants!
See our blog post here for more on smart circadian lighting.
Curated acoustics
Nature can provide us with soothing sounds to help us drift off to sleep as well as invigorating scents to help us wake-up or concentrate. Try exploring some acoustic, world music and have a nature playlist or two lined up for your morning alarm. have used birdsong in our wellness rooms to great effect.
Aromatherapy
High quality, organic essential oils such as frankincense, cedar or lavender, preferably diffused into the air for around 60 mins at a time can be especially beneficial while taking a relaxing bath for example. Go for zesty lemon, bergamot, pine or rosemary during the day for a subtle energy boost. Read more on this topic here.
Non-toxic materials
Opting for materials that are natural and sustainable will help ensure that a room’s users stay healthy by avoiding harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Good materials to consider include FSC wood, bamboo, linen, cork, and ceramic. Do away with plastic wherever possible.
Indoor Air Quality
While plants and purifiers are a great method to filter the pollutants that get in, going organic is a preventative measure that will help ensure their presence is minimal from the get-go. Rather like taking your shoes off before entering a home so as not to bring in the dirt from outside. Joined-up thinking is the way to win this battle, see this blog post for more details.
Generally though, aim to keep lungs happy and healthy indoors by investing in an air purifier—preferably one with a HEPA filter. This helps restore air to its natural state by removing pollutants that off gas from furniture or, more likely, drift in from the streets outside.
Nature-inspired decor
Natural wall murals showing scenes of prospect and refuge are known to have stress-reducing properties; they are especially useful for small enclosed spaces such as spare bedrooms.
Healthy interiors
When attempting to roll-out a truly conscious approach to crafting your home, office or even designing a hotel room it can initially be a little overwhelming as you realise just how much plastic manages to find its way inside, or the polluted air entering via the windows and so on.
Focus on making that first, all important step, no matter how small a change. The benefits of biophilia seem to be cumulative, the more you layer in natural touches, the better the space starts to feel!
Biophilia in the bedroom
There are an array of different ways to layer biophilia into a biophilic bedroom interior without necessarily filling it up with plants.
Consider what is known as ‘indirect biophilia’ instead - low-maintenance preserved moss panels on the wall for example, botanical wallpapers or natural landscape photography, a coconut fibre mattress and organic linen sheets, a smart circadian lighting system and a birdsong alarm to wake you up each morning, even a bedside aromatherapy diffuser with lavender or cedar wood oil. Have fun with it!
Plants, plants and more plants
Research has shown that between 6-8 such plants are needed per person per 25sqm room to have any meaningful impact on air quality… so don’t hold back! In any case, plants look and perform best when carefully clustered in groups, like mini forests or jungles, so this is a win-win. For more details on plants see this previous blog post.
for details of how to integrate ergonomic furniture into a healthy office design see our separate blog post here.
Barri Studio architecture & landscaping, Barcelona
Biofilico partners with Barri Architecture & Landscape (Barcelona)
Biofilico is proud to have partnered with Barri Architecture & Landscape in Barcelona, Spain.
This strategic alliance means our healthy, green interiors expertise is now vertically aligned with a team of architects, urban designers and landscape architects, equating to even more competitive pricing and an extended service offer.
About Barri Architecture Landscape services in Barcelona
Barri Studio’s work incorporates a careful blend of environmental, social and historical influences.
Recent projects of note include a 15,000m2 public park commission just outside Barcelona and a boutique hotel courtyard garden right in the city centre.
Ultimately, the team’s vision is to combine research and practice to reveal the ecological and cultural potential of our shared built environment.
Free e-book: benefits of biophilic design in offices & coworking spaces
benefits of biophilic design in offices & coworking spaces
Biophilic design is a technique that respectfully harnesses the restorative, energizing properties of Mother Nature for physical and mental health benefits, so where better to implement this approach than in the workplace where many spend upwards of eight hours a day, five days a week?
Biofilico's method combines the three key 'principles' of healthy, natural and sustainable design implemented through eight 'applications' for a range of externally oriented attributes (for the company in question), internally oriented benefits (for the office workers) and value generation (for the brand).
Download our free e-book to discover the science behind this approach, what steps you can take to implement some of the basics, and four illustrative case studies.
CONTENTS:
DEFINITION: what is biophilic design?
RESEARCH: the science behind biophilic design
APPLICATIONS: 8 ways to apply biophilic design to your office
CASE STUDIES: Amazon offices, Barcelona, Spain; Second Home coworking, Lisbon, Portugal; Uncommon coworking, London, UK; Innovation Centre coworking, Montenegro
What is Biophilia?
What does it mean and why does it matter?
As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, lifestyle convenience and stimuli typically increase while access to nature and green spaces decrease.
Biophilia and biophilic design are in this sense a thoroughly modern response to that disconnect from nature although, as you’ll discover, it is one informed by our meta history, having evolved as a species in relative harmony with nature over hundreds of thousands of years.
What is Biophilia?
We define biophilia as the human love of or need for a close connection with nature and other forms of life. When applied to modern lifestyles, ‘biophilic living’ resembles less a primal, hunter-gatherer lifestyle and is rather about the respectful integration of nature into our home, offices, gyms, diet, beauty products, transport choices and more.
Why Does Biophilia Matter?
Wherever health, wellness, and community are at stake, biophilia has a genuine contribution to make, partly to improve the lives of the people involved but also as a way to protect the planet.
Biophilia & The Triple Bottom Line
Biophilia is a Triple Bottom Line concept in this sense, as it accounts not just for People and Planet but also for Profit, which explains why it has been adopted around the world by some of the most valuable companies in existence.
Amazon, Google, and Apple have all tapped into the power of biophilic design recently for their office interiors, so what lies behind the shift to such botanical work spaces?
Clean Living
Plants convert CO2 back to oxygen as we know but recent studies by institutes such as NASA show that plants also purify the indoor air for us.
Within interiors, this means filtering out harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, benzyne, ammonia—to name a few— from off-gassing furniture, paint, building materials, and pollutants that track in from the outside world.
NB: We recommend going big on such plants in each room, around 6-8 per regular user if possible and then supplement that with an air purifier from Dyson, that’s how we do things anyway.
Wellbeing
We are bombarded daily with endless stimulants in bustling urban areas—especially in the era of endless technology. Interiors and exteriors that utilize biophilic design create spaces where such stimuli can be set aside for a dose of Vitamin Nature that will recharge our internal batteries and, as a result, improve concentration, productivity and creativity.
Our Biofilico green recharge rooms and office interiors are designed specifically for this purpose in fact. When we integrate movement and activity into the mix as well, we end up with a Biofit gym’s ‘special sauce’ - double the wellness benefits basically!
Biophilia & Tribal Community
Not only does biophilia hold the key to connecting with nature in unnatural settings, it also creates opportunities for greater sense of connection between groups of individuals and nature, for example through the creation of communal gardens, green spaces in schools, or shared workspaces like Second Home in Lisbon.
The fundamental insight here is again informed by ancestral health principles that clearly show humans to be tribal animals, originally operating in groups of 150-250 people.
In conclusion, biophilic living is an effective way to counteract against some of the negative effects of urban living and by embracing this concept, we can improve quality of life, health and well-being whilst improving consciousness of our connection to the planet around us.
Related reads from Biofit & Biofilico:
5 Best Examples of Biophilic Design
10 Ways to Add Biophilic Design to Your Home, Office, or Gym
5 Best Biophilic Design Examples — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Five of the best biophilic design case studies of biophilic design from around the world.
From Seattle to Scotland, the best biophilic architecture examples can be found in a variety of settings, but they all have one thing in common: interiors that improve the built environment through the use of natural materials, plants, lighting, and other sensory design elements to give the user an experience that energizes, refreshes, and connects them to nature.
The 'seven biophilic design patterns' provide a framework for understanding these examples, encompassing elements such as the use of natural materials, indirect experiences of nature through natural analogues, and the experience of space and place that resonates with our biological evolution and preference for savanna-like settings.
The Biophilia Concept
The concept of biophilia in architecture is not new, but it is certainly gaining more attention as we strive for more sustainable and healthy ways of living.
Green architecture, with its historical development focused on reducing environmental impact through sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, has played a significant role in the formalization of the green building movement. A notable design intervention in this movement is the use of green walls, which bring nature into interior spaces and create a more harmonious and connected environment.
Many famous biophilic architects and interior designers have embraced this concept and incorporated it into their projects.
Below we take a look at some of our favourite biophilic buildings and structures that exist today, but first, a little background information.
What is Biophilia?
Biophilia is a term used to describe the innate and deep-seated connection that humans have with the natural world. This concept suggests that humans possess an inherent affinity for the natural environment, which has evolved over time as a result of our interactions with nature.
The term “biophilia,” which translates to “love of life” or “love of living systems,” was first introduced by renowned biologist and naturalist Edward O. Wilson in his 1984 book titled “Biophilia.”
This groundbreaking work laid the foundation for a new field of study, exploring the psychological, physiological, and sociocultural aspects of our relationship with the natural world.
The Biophilia Hypothesis
Wilson's biophilia hypothesis posits that our affinity for the natural environment is an adaptive trait that has developed through natural selection, as it has been crucial for our survival and well-being throughout history.
Biophilia Health Benefits
The implied health benefits of connecting with nature are numerous and well-documented in scientific literature. Research has shown that exposure to the natural environment can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Natural lighting, such as sunlight through large windows or skylights, can also reduce stress and improve mood, further enhancing mental health.
Furthermore, spending time in nature has been linked to improved cognitive function, increased creativity, and enhanced emotional well-being.
Physical health benefits associated with connecting with nature include reduced blood pressure, boosted immune system function, and increased overall longevity.
In conclusion, the concept of biophilia highlights the importance of maintaining a strong connection with the natural world in order to promote human health and well-being.
As urbanization and technological advancements continue to distance us from the natural environment, it is essential to recognize and prioritize the role of nature in supporting our physical, psychological, and emotional health.
By understanding and embracing our inherent affinity for nature, we can foster a healthier, more sustainable relationship with the natural world that benefits both humans and the environment.
What is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is an innovative approach to architecture and interior design that aims to create a harmonious connection between human beings and the natural world.
The concept is rooted in the idea that humans have an innate affinity for nature, and incorporating natural elements like plants, water, and sunlight into built environments can promote well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life.
This design strategy merges the principles of sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality to create spaces that foster a sense of belonging and inspire a deeper appreciation for our planet.
Key Principles of Biophilic Design
The key principles of biophilic design revolve around three primary aspects: direct nature experiences, indirect nature experiences, and spatial configurations.
Direct nature experiences involve incorporating living elements such as plants, water features, and natural light into the design.
Indirect experiences include the use of natural materials, colors, and natural patterns like wood grain, stone textures, and leaf patterns that evoke the essence of nature.
Lastly, spatial configurations involve designing spaces that mimic the structure and organization of natural environments, such as open-concept floor plans or curvilinear shapes that replicate organic forms.
Biophilic design has gained popularity in multiple areas, including corporate offices, hotels, resorts, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and residential properties.
The integration of natural elements into these spaces has been proven to enhance the well-being of occupants, promote greater productivity, reduce stress levels, and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society.
Spatial configurations that mimic natural environments further enhance the biophilic experience by creating a more immersive and harmonious connection to nature.
In conclusion, biophilic design represents a paradigm shift in architecture and interior design by prioritizing the connection between humans and nature.
By embracing this design strategy’s principles, architects and designers can create spaces that not only enhance occupants’ well-being but also contribute to a more sustainable future.
As awareness grows around the benefits of biophilic design, it is anticipated that this approach will continue to gain traction across various sectors of the real estate and hospitality industry.
Top Five Biophilic Design Examples
1 Hotels, New York & Miami
1 Hotels is an urban retreat inspired by nature. In a city packed with traffic, endless high rises, and lots of commotion, 1 Hotels stands out with its biophilic approach. Outside, you will find green walls brimming with lush greenery, while inside, interspersed plants and interiors crafted using reclaimed materials promote a warm aesthetic.
This biophilic experience doesn’t just extend to this hotel’s decor. They offer farm-to-fork food in their dining room and even a daily fresh fruit stand in the lobby.
2. The Spheres, Seattle
The Spheres are home to 40,000 plants from 30 different countries, including a variety of green walls that account for over 4,000 square feet of vegetated surface.
This Amazon building aims to connect employees and visitors with a direct link to nature in an urban setting— and with their glass dome that lets in an abundance of natural light and array of greenery, they delivered on their promise and then some!
3. Ruins Studio, Scotland
Ruins Studio garnered many awards the year after its competition—and for good reason. Designed by Lily Jencks Studio, NDA, and Savills-Smiths Gore, this unique structure was built inside a ruin. The original stone was kept intact, now being used as a natural, textural shell. It creates a strong contrast to the smoother, contemporary build nestled inside.
4. The Wardian, London
The Wardian features a sky lounge crafted with extra-high ceilings, expansive trees, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Whether relaxing in the sky lounge or taking a dip in the swimming pool immersed in a lush, natural landscape, it's easy to forget that you are in the bustling metropolis of London. This project is still under construction, but it is already proving itself to be an iconic biophilic design case study.
We created a pop-up Vitamin Nature wellness space for the developer EcoWorld Ballymore in 2018. The results from that research study can be found online here.
5. Second Home, Lisbon
Second Home has many locations, but the one in Lisbon is truly a heaven for biophilic design buildings fans with its abundance of light and over 1,000 plants. Both Biofit & Biofilico were effectively based there for the formative first year or two of the business!
This shared workspace is ideal for teams of 1 to 100 that need a workspace and want to experience an extra boost of creativity, happiness, and productivity through the power of Vitamin Nature. Wellness isn't just built into their interior; they also offer members yoga classes, surf trips, and educational and cultural seminars.
Bonus: Karolinska Institutet Gym by Biofit, Stockholm
And one more for luck... we couldn't resist adding in our tiny biophilic gym at the Karolinska Institutet medical university, just to show that not all these projects need to be large-scale!
We created a space with maximum health benefits by implementing a design that consists of both direct and indirect biophilia, including muraled walls, circadian lighting, air-purifying plants, and 100% sustainable materials. Students of the medical university are free to use the space whenever they choose, and regular classes provide extra incentives for those in need of a break from their research studies.
Conclusion
Biophilic design architecture is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people recognize the benefits of being connected to nature. Famous biophilic interior designers and architects are leading the way with innovative designs that incorporate natural elements into their structures. These biophilic structures and buildings offer an experience that energizes, refreshes, and connects the user to nature.
For more information on biophilic design and its benefits, visit our Biophilic Design Consultants page.
How to bring nature into your home via biophilic design
Part 1 of our Top 10 Ways to bring nature into your home, office or gym
If you want to know what is the best way to bring nature into your home, office or gym, and make your interior to truly look and feel its best, incorporating biophilic design elements is a tried-and-true method to add not just soul but wellness benefits to an interior.
By implementing a few of these key biophilic design strategies when designing your home, office, or gym you can create a space that prioritizes personal well-being—and looks aesthetically pleasing while doing so - while also respecting the planet. Here’s how:
Bring nature home by adding some plants!
We’ll start with an obvious one; plants are a quick way to incorporate direct biophilia into any interior. This can be as simple as a few potted plants or as expansive as a vertical garden wall. To reap the most benefits from this easy addition, aim for plants that will clean the air, as well as please the eye.
Why stop there though when there are terrariums, aquascapes, domestic animals and countless other ways to bring nature into the built environment.
Use indirect biophilia
If you were wondering how to bring nature into your home, or any other space for that matter, when plants and other direct biophilic elements aren’t available, look to what is termed indirect biophilia. Photos, murals, and illustrations of nature, animals, and plants are a great way to ground your space in nature, plus these strategies have stress-reducing properties.
Studies have shown that even indirect biophilia—using elements that are merely representational—still holds an arsenal of benefits similar to direct biophilia.
Use natural materials
The materials you choose for an interior space will not only influence the final ambiance but also impact the users’ health and wellness. Natural materials are reminiscent of nature itself, of course, which is why one of the ways to introduce nature into your home is by opting for materials that are natural and sustainable will help ensure that both a room’s users and the planet stay healthy. Good materials to consider include FSC wood, bamboo, linen, cork, and ceramic. Do away with plastic completely.
Light it up - make the most out of natural light’
Bringing nature into your home or office also refers to natural lighting, that can truly brighten up any atmosphere. Implementing a circadian lighting system that follows the body’s natural rhythm can help improve both productivity by day and sleep by night.
Fill your space with natural light whenever possible but when the sun’s rays aren’t available, find a lighting system that uses blue-white tones in the middle of the day, and amber tones early and late. The Philips HUE system does a decent job of this.
Bring the outside in interior design by mimicking nature’s voice
Speaking about bringing the outside in, serious biophilic design appeals to all the senses, including sound. Possibly one of the most soothing things about being immersed in nature is the soft sound of birds, running water and the rustling of trees.
The great news is that you can easily recreate this sensation by playing nature sounds, which are widely available and come in an array of themes and compositions.
These are just a few of the simple biophilic design strategies that you can start implementing today, and by using just a few of the elements mentioned above you can be on your way to a healthier and happier interior.
Harness Nature’s Aromas
Bringing nature into your home, gym or office can now be sensed by incorporating certain aromas into a space is a simple way to extend the user experience and influence not just the tone of the room visually but also how its users feel whilst in it.
Forget synthetic fragrances though, we keep it clean with organic essential oils such as pine, cedar or lavender, preferably diffused into the air for 30-60 mins straight. This is especially beneficial first thing in the morning and last thing at night, while taking a relaxing bath or while concentrating on a writing or work task.
Commit to the nature theme and purify the Indoor Air
Urban living comes with its benefits, sure, but one of the inarguable downfalls is the reduced air quality, especially in certain cities such as Barcelona for example where the municipality struggles to keep pace.
If you want to give an all-around nature effect to any room, and at the same time keep your lungs happy and healthy - start by deploying an air purifier—preferably one with a HEPA filter. Dyson Air Cool is our model of choice for our bedroom in Casa Biofilico for example.
This helps restore air to its natural state by removing pollutants that off gas from furniture or, more likely, drift in from the streets outside. Incorporating a few plants can also assist with this goal although you’ll need to go big on quantities and choose the right species, and even then we still recommend using an air purifier. Take no prisoners on this front!
Go Organic on your Materials
If you want to support the natural world in the best possible way, then going full on eco-friendly and organic is the way. Using organic materials can lessen the presence of harmful chemicals that are regularly found in building materials and furniture— think benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Yes, this is a thing.
While plants and purifiers are a great method to filter the pollutants that get in, going organic is a preventative measure that will help ensure their presence is minimal from the get-go, which is also an indirect way to introduce nature into your living or working space. Rather like taking your shoes off before entering a home so as not to bring in the dirt from outside. Joined-up thinking is the way to win this battle.
A Natural Neutral Palette
The color scheme is arguably one of the biggest influencers of the mood that an interior elicits. While bright tones can add energy, neutrals will help any commercial or residential room feel grounded in nature - a simple way of bringing the outside in interior design.
Try opting for colors that you often see in the wilderness, like browns, beiges, and greens. Still looking for a pop of bright color? Try a dash of sunshine yellow and a bright sky blue.
Welcome ‘Wabi-Sabi
Nature is never about perfection, so why should your interior design be? Harness the intrigue and natural beauty that imperfection can bring and integrate pieces into your design that have variations in the finish or maybe even a couple of chips or cracks.
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese concept common among vintage and handmade products, so look for furniture, crockery sets, and pottery with such ‘imperfections’.
These actionable, biophilic design strategies can help propel any home, office, or gym design in the right direction, and bring the natural outside world right into your home, office, or any other space you need refining. Whether you implement a few or all 10, both your interior and health will thank you! In case you need more advice, check out more biophilic design strategies (coming soon) or contact the experts at Biofilico today.
The science behind biophilic design
An overview of the key studies into biophilic design’s wellness benefits.
The last two centuries have seen a massive process of urbanization as entire populations transition from natural to heavily built environments with limited access to greenery, open spaces and wildlife. This represents a fundamental disconnect from our evolutionary history.
Man's innate connection with nature is known as biophilia which in turn gives us biophilic design - an attempt to reunite indoor and outdoor worlds through the sensitive use of natural materials, shapes, breezes, colours, scents and sounds in urban architecture and interiors. Biofit leverages this same approach for an inner city fitness studio concept. Why?
Biophilic architecture has been enthusiastically adopted by the tech giants of Silicon Valley such as Apple, Amazon and Facebook for their new Californian headquarters. According to David Radcliffe, Vice President of Real Estate at Google, its new campus will have “trees & landscaping weaving through its structures to blur the distinction between the buildings and nature”.
Such environments are not just sustainable, a recent study by Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health Sir Cary Cooper entitled ‘Biophilic Design in the Workplace’ surveyed 3600 office workers across Europe and the Middle-East. The results showed how internal green space, natural light and foliage boost the mood, productivity and job satisfaction of employees while also reducing stress.
A recent report published by US-based consultancy Terrapin Bright Green entitled ‘The Economics of Biophilia’ highlights how this approach can also be applied to retail areas to boost visitor spend as well as educational facilities to increase students’ learning speed.
In the world of healthcare facility design, a seminal study by Professor Roger Ulrich at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden showed that patients whose windows looked out onto nature required 8.5% less recovery time than those who faced brick walls.
Such research eventually led to the type of healing garden created by designer Lily Jencks for her family foundation’s Maggies cancer care homes across the UK and Hong Kong.
The next frontier looks to be healthy, or wellness-oriented real estate, as exemplified by the likes of Delos in the US. Biofit aims to be a part of that movement by contributing its own nature inspired update on the traditional fitness facility.
To find out more about our biophilic design services for gyms, offices, homes and hospitality venues, contact us via email through this website.
Indoor Air Quality in Gyms
Referencing a seminal study, we explore how biophilic nature gyms have higher air quality standards than normal gyms, making them healthier, happier places.
Biophilic design as a unique selling point
When you walk into a green wellness space, gym, yoga studio or BJJ academy, there is an immediate visual impact from the nature-inspired interiors that stands in marked contrast to most such interiors,. While this can be a unique point of differentiation, the real benefits of such eco-friendly interior design choices go far beyond what the eye can see…
Air Quality & Biophilia
When it comes to indoor air quality, nature-inspired interiors are quite literally a breath of fresh air. Why so? Like so many of today’s man-made environments, traditional gyms are designed with scant concern for the provenance or potential toxicity of the materials used in the fit-out. These chemicals are known as indoor air pollutants (IAPs) and they can have a negative effect on gym-goers’ health.
Indoor air pollutants (IAPs) exceed government limits
In a 2014 study, researchers at the University of Lisbon found that a number of local fitness centres had levels of CO2 and VOC that exceeded limits set by Portuguese legislation.[4] Health risks from IAPs may also be magnified during exercise due to deeper breathing patterns.[5] The cruel irony of course is that health centres and gyms are intended to be bastions of wellbeing.
biofit gym protocols
A biophilic gym heads off many of these issues at the pass thanks to its design protocols and then implements a series of ongoing operational procedures to ensure similar standards of healthy air quality are maintained over the long term. Here is our take on it:
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are linked to cancer and organ damage. They come from building materials, gym equipment, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and cleaning agents.[1] Biofit gyms avoid VOCs through the use of non-toxic paint; organic materials such as cork panels and eco flooring made of sustainable cork and eco-rubber’; eco cleaning materials and the use of sustainably minded gym equipment suppliers.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Human breath is the main source of CO2 indoors. CO2 levels correspond with the rate of outside air supply; the more CO2, the more “stale” the air feels.[2] In spaces that have a high concentration of sweating human bodies therefore, ventilation and air flow are fundamental. Think of a spinning or hot yoga studio for example. Biofit gyms use NASA approved air-purifying plants as a way to regulate CO2 levels combined with air-purifiers, tackling the problem from two sides and then monitoring the results on a daily basis.
Microscopic & biological air particles
Some tiny particles in the air are linked to cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease.[3] Sources of these particles include traffic fumes, cigarette smoke and dust. Bacteria, mould and pollen meanwhile can trigger asthmatic and allergy attacks.[1] Biofit gyms have strict daily cleaning protocols as well as air-purifying strategies to reduce airborne pollens and dust, outdoor shoes are an under-the-radar source of such particles so our gyms recommend barefoot training whenever possible.
the problem with Fitness facilities
In gyms, martial arts academies and yoga studios, gathering large groups of people in relatively small spaces is par for the course. Unfortunately, this is bad news for indoor air quality. While classes are in session, accumulated dust can be thrown up into the air while heavy breathing inevitably adds extra carbon dioxide to the air. In many instances, ventilation simply cannot keep up.
Green design: A natural solution
High quality air is an inherent quality of biophilic spaces, which, by definition, are intended to replicate an environment that is as close to the great outdoors as possible, including air purity. On this basis, a well-designed organic gym could house the freshest pocket of air in a city block.
To minimise indoor air pollutants, Biofit’s sustainable gym designs include:
Mindful selection of materials
Temperature and humidity control to minimise bacterial growth
Air purifying plants
High ceilings
Small to medium-size class sizes
Appropriate HVAC system
Low-tech or manually powered gym machinery
Smoking ban
Eco-friendly cleaning agents
Easy-to-clean surfaces
Non-VOC paint on the walls
To learn more about our eco-friendly, nature-inspired gym design services, please contact us at info @ biofit . io
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707925/
[2] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ad30/328938f3843eace78ffc672851f956389817.pdf
[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
[4] http://tarjomefa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/7873-English-TarjomeFa.pdf
Biophilic Design in Gyms & Spas
How to integrate biophilia design into a spa or gym environment for added psychological and physiological health benefits.
nature gyms & ‘green’ exercise
Have you ever noticed that sense of calm that washes over you when sitting on a beach watching the waves roll in, or relaxing under a tree deep in a forest while breathing in those positive phytoncides in the air?
Nature has a powerful impact on our mood and mental wellbeing, a fundamental concept behind the approach of biophilic design which integrates nature into the built environment for similar functional health benefits.
How? By combining healthy, nature-inspired and sustainable design principles into one.
what is biophilic design doing in a gym or spa?
The objective of using biophilia in an indoor gym or spa is to offer a powerful connection to nature through an abundance of plants, natural toxin-free materials in lieu of nasty synthetics; organic shapes with a wabi-sari (imperfectly beautiful) finish and a soothing palette of beiges, greens and browns.
We have covered the benefits of training outdoor here and we remain devoted believers in spending time outdoors whenever possible!
Taken together though, all of these design techniques can create an indoor environment with remnants of the great outdoors even in a dense urban context where access to nature may be inherently limited.
Layer in a spa treatment or natural fitness workout on top though and the health benefits start to become truly compelling.
health benefits of biophilia
In 2017, Biofit commissioned the first scientific study into what is termed as “indoor green exercise”. Conducted by the UKActive Research Institute and University of Essex Green Exercise Group, it ran over four weeks at the Biofit pop-up gym in London with a total of 118 participants taking a natural fitness session.
Each responded to a ‘before and after’ questionnaire, with the following results:
- 75% felt less stressed after their session
- 80% reported feeling more connected to nature
- 87% found an improvement in positive mood state
- An average enjoyment level of 91/100
By changing how a gym or indeed spa looks and feels, we can thus increase client satisfaction and boost overall enjoyment whilst ensuring happier, healthier members who feel connected to nature.
why use a biophilic gym design?
Biophilic design and green exercise is a suitable eco-friendly solution for gyms of 25sq. metres up to 1000sq. metres. While smaller spaces are ideal for focused, small group and personal training, larger facilities can offer an array of training equipment, outdoor obstacles and a variety of zones to cover strength, cardio, movement and mobility.
To discuss how Biofit could help you design and equip your gym, be it a commercial business, home gym, hotel gym or office gym, simply email us on info @ biofit . io
Casa Biofilico
Our first residential interiors project incorporates biophilic design, earth-friendly and health-oriented design principles.
We recently completed our first biophilic home interiors project, now known as Casa Biofilico.
A biophilic arrival
The entrance hall features a South African landscape photograph with a row of handsome cows warmly greeting each new house guest, a Danish side table from the 1960s and an Artemide table lamp next to a rotating collection of pot plants that help fill what would otherwise be a ‘dark’ corner.
Nature-inspired living area
A living room filled with natural light plays host to a corner filled with air-purifying plants such as Sansevierias and ‘ZZ’ plants, offset by a bespoke piece of floral wall art and a series of botanical leaf paintings above a vintage Danish sideboard in teak wood.
More vintage furniture in the shape of four Danish, H.W. Klein dining chairs with teak frames and natural fibre seats that pick up on the colour palette of the ceramic tile flooring beneath, as well as a classic leather armchair. Wellness lighting systems are set to an automatic timer to recreate sunlight each morning and then fade out slowly after sunset in order not to disrupt the body clock.
Biophilic dining area
A teak dining table plays host to organic linen table mats and napkins by Libeco from Belgium, ceramic plates with a rough wabi-sabi finish by Muubs, crystal water tumblers by Royal Doulton and an Alvar Aalto glass vase from Iitala.
Green bedroom
The master bedroom has an eco-rubber flake mattress topper, a natural wool all-season duvet and two different eco-rubber flake pillows all by CocoMat, the natural bedding experts. A commissioned botanical drawing above the bed by artist Anna Farba sits opposite a calming seascape by photographer Tim Hall while a bedside aromatherapy corner has a eucalyptus bouquet as well as various sleep-enhancing essential oils ready for the diffuser.
Zen bathroom
The main bathroom has a large tub used for magnesium salt baths for relieving sore muscles, natural soap products, another ‘Biophilia’ photo print by Christopher Marley, a Monstera leaf display, smart-scale for checking heart rate and body mass each morning, as well as candles and natural room scents to create a haven of organic health and wellbeing.
Eco-friendly kitchen
An all-white kitchen is kitted out with a curated coffee & tea set-up featuring ceramic Japanese mugs, a professional burr grinder, copper V60 filter cone, coffee scale and slow-pouring kettle.
All-natural cleaning brushes in various shapes and sizes are accompanied by eco-friendly cleaning liquids in a refillable aluminium bottle and, why not, a young Monstera plant for a touch of green. Finally, a print of a photographic artwork by Christopher Marley’s ‘Biophilia’ series hangs on the wall next to a mini-forest of head-high dracaenas.
A Healthy Home Office
A second bedroom has a HumanScale Quickstand Eco standing desk combined with a mobility ball. The aim here is to promote less sitting and more movement while working. Positioned directly next to the windows for exposure to natural light, the room also has a Dyson air purifier and a Sonos sound system to create a multi-sensory space designed for productivity and creativity.
this is an example of ergonomic office furniture designed for wellbeing, for more on this subject, see our blog post here
If you would like our help designing your home along similar healthy, biophilic and earth-friendly lines, simply email us via the icon below.
Smart circadian lighting
How to improve the quality of light for wellness and health benefits using biophilic design and healthy design principles.
smart circadian rhythm lighting
The potential benefits of circadian lighting are vast, which is why this type of lighting is now explored in various real estate and interior design sectors around the world. Circadian rhythm lighting systems are strategically designed to positively affect our health, alertness and productivity, which is why this particular concept is getting much deserved attention lately. Read on to find out more..
What is circadian lighting?
Circadian lighting is an innovative new trend within the world of biophilic design and its near cousin, healthy design, especially in the home and workplace where we now spend the vast majority of our lives.
So what is it all about and how is smart technology helping us live urban lives that are more closely aligned with our evolutionary past?
A circadian lighting system is created in way that follows the human so called circadian rhythm - something like a 24-hour internal clock.
It is controlled by hypothalamus that works by receiving signals from the eyes that report when it’s day or nighttime. In turn, hypothalamus can control the amount of melatonin released to correlate sleepiness with darkness and alertness with light.
Circadian rhythm
The body’s circadian rhythm is essentially our 24-hr body clock; we’re not the only ones to have one either - plants, animals and even funghi share their own version too. It’s literally a part of our DNA, evolving over millions of years as a way of connecting us to the daily ebb and flow of sun and moon.
Certain research has shown that light affects both our visual and non-visual systems, while artificial lighting can well impact our circadian rhythm.
While each one of us is different, with some experiencing sleepy mornings and others hitting a wall of drowsiness in the afternoon for example, standard hours of activity and rest for the vast majority of people are fairly regulated.
However, circadian lighting is the concept that artificial lighting can be used to support human health by minimizing the effect of electric light on human circadian rhythm.
How? Well, scientists have discovered that a long-term exposure to certain wavelengths of blue light, at specific intensity, can have a negative impact on circadian rhythm.
circadian light therapy for increased productivity
Circadian rhythm and light are closely connected, meaning this natural flow in each 24hr cycle also influences our day-to-day productivity.
Mental productivity during the hours of work is therefore crucial, as is, conversely, ensuring a solid night’s sleep.
Twenty-first century urban lives full of technology and an always on culture however can mean that, if we are not careful, we can all too easily expose ourselves to disrupting factors, especially as the body does not distinguish between natural and artificial light.
This is where a circadian lamp, or a circadian lighting system comes in. By implementing a circadian lighting design into your working space, you can increase productivity at your office. Since circadian lighting is imitating natural lighting, employees who are exposed more to it have a better recollection of memories and mental function.
Wellness lighting & circadian rhythm light therapy
Enter circadian or wellness lighting is specifically designed to reflect nature’s daily light cycle, prompting periods of mental alertness in the morning and afternoon with light from the blue-white end of the spectrum, before slowly fading into amber hues in the evenings and again in the early mornings.
In practical terms this means you wake up to a soft, gentle light of white-amber, spend your days working in energising white-blue light and relax before bed in the evenings in amber light. Avoiding sources of blue-white light an hour before going to sleep is also recommended, meaning no TV, smartphone or other screen activity!
Circadian rhythm lighting is also great for the purpose of therapy - allowing you to reset your mind and body, and have a better night sleep. When used like a treatment, circadian rhythm lighting can really improve mood and boost your energy levels throughout the day.
Smart circadian rhythm lighting systems
A number of smart circadian rhythm light systems are now readily available in the market making this technology accessible to the general public.
Our favourite is the Philips HUE that involves one ‘bridge’ box between your wifi router and the lightbulbs in your home (up to 50), plus a simple remote control and an app. We used this set-up in our Biofit nature gyms in Calgary and Stockholm, to great effect.
The two main benefits of introducing this kind of light therapy for circadian rhythm are improved mental focus by day and sleep quality at night.
For more information on how we can help you integrate this type of healthy design solution into your office or home, contact us via the Contact page.