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.
Workplace productivity and how to increase it
Workplace productivity is a measure of efficiency one employee uses to complete his tasks.
We often assume that productivity means and depends on more things getting done each day, but - the reality is a bit different and workplace productivity is important to get things done consistently, no matter what you are working on.
We could say that workplace productivity has some important variables that are crucial when work efficiency becomes critical and we get the need to increase productivity at work.
These variables made to increase productivity at work are: labour and money related, but a great part of workplace productivity-boosting tool is also the art and science of space management.
The great importance of workplace productivity
Workplace productivity helps to motivate the employee and boost morale, producing an even better company environment. When a firm is highly productive, it eventually becomes successful, and because of this, incentives are bound to be made available to the employees.
Things that affect workplace productivity are the same ones that increase it!
The good thing to know is that the things that can affect our workplace productivity are the things that can put it back on track and increase productivity at work.
A working environment is a place where employees perform their job and a place where they spend the greater part of the day. The physical environment influences their health, their work performance and productivity, as well as relationships between the colleagues.
Factors like temperature, air quality, lighting and noise conditions in the workplace affect the productivity of the workers. Other factors that affect workplace productivity are the ones we will talk next, and try to point out how we can use the same situation to improve work efficiency.
Organizational and interior factors impact on workplace productivity
How to increase productivity in the workplace?
The production of all departments should be properly planned, coordinated and controlled. The right quality of raw materials should be used for production. Authority and responsibility of every individual (staff) and department should be defined properly so conflicts can be avoided.
Personnel factors
The right individual should be selected to get a suitable job done. They should be given proper training and development, better working conditions and work environment good enough to properly motivate them. Financially, non-financially and positive incentives are also much needed.
Once screened, hired, and on the job, training is a crucial part of ensuring workplace productivity. There are a lot of skills you can help your employees develop to increase productivity at work.
The Importance of office interior design.
Office design is vital to both employees and clients/customers. Employees often spend more time in the office than they do at home. With that in mind, it makes sense that well-designed offices can increase employee morale, productivity, efficiency, and overall attitude.
A wonderfully designed office interior inspires the willingness of people who are able to operate independently - to take actions. Granting workers freedom over when, how, and where they work creates proof of their work ethic in a way that trying to control them cannot ensure.
The impact and influence of the proper decoration cannot be underestimated and they play a very important role in enhancing the mood and set a perfect ambience for any type of event or job.
For information about ergonomic furniture within a healthy office design context see our blog post here and for healthy coworking offices see here.
Attracting customers
Working with an interior designer closely in order to let them know the types of customers you want to attract so that they can design a space that will truly work for your business and target audience.
How technical and space management factors influence work productivity?
Productivity largely depends on technology. These include proper location, layout and size of the machinery, the correct design of machines and equipment, research and development, automation and computerization, etc. If the organization uses the latest technology, then its productivity will be high.
The usage of non-toxic, organic materials supports performance
Using sustainable, earth-friendly materials such as cork, FSC wood, rubber and bamboo, as well as natural patterns, colours, textures and finishes can increase work productivity. Sustainable materials also avoid unnecessary impact on the environment.
Coworking spaces possess a huge potential to support environmental sustainability due to their inherently sharing-oriented constitution. The steps taken may be large or small, with every effort adding to the whole cause makes a coworking space much enjoyable.
You may have lots of other ways to handle stress, investing in innovative, positive, healthy and appealing coworking space design is, actually achieving maximum wellbeing for office workers while keeping an eye on their performance and output.
Firm management factors
The management of the organization should be scientific, professional, future-oriented, sincere and competent. Managers should possess imagination, judgement skills and willingness to take risks for the optimum use of the available resources to get maximum output at the lowest cost.
Location factors makes going to work more enjoyable
To boost productivity also means the dependence of location factors such as infrastructure facilities, nearness to market, nearness to sources of raw materials, skilled workforce, etc.
Location decisions can have a big impact on costs and revenues. A flexible culture is great for morale, trust and job satisfaction - there's no doubt that having one is absolutely worth it.
From this viewpoint, business-friendly and economically developed locations should be considered. For instance, New York can be a beneficial location choice.
Due to its high reputation for being the desirable location for any business, the city may provide you with a variety of modern office spaces, co-working areas, and shared offices.
Among this variety of options, you can choose one of the NYC office suites for business, which is a great contribution for each successful business, as they are fully furnished with all the necessary amenities.
Whatever your business does, its location could have a huge impact on productivity flow, even if you're not a particularly goods-heavy business like restaurants and hospitality places.
The nature-inspired decor and lightning that inspires awareness
An example of a functional, healthy approach to designing a productive workplace surrounding is the use of nature-like habitats and botanical motifs when increasing productivity in the workplace.
Biophilic interior design transforms your space into a harmonious collection of natural elements that will improve your mood, boost productivity and sense of wellbeing. Our purpose is to bring nature indoors, integrating biophilic interior design into 21st-century urban living.
Biophilic design incorporates natural components such as fresh or purified air, the healing powers of herbal aromatherapy, soothing nature sounds, intelligent lighting and more to transform any space into an oasis for positivity and workplace productivity.
Office design concepts by Biofilico starts by looking for ways to introduce healthy, biophilic principles into the layout, floor plans, elevations and sections phase, often collaborating with a team of architects to evoke positive emotions in their users.
It seems like more and more companies are adopting the motto “do more with less”. So - where does that leave an employee? Scrambling to complete tight deadlines, wearing 30 different hats, answering hundreds of emails and phone calls - the point is very clear.
The goal of this post is to help you find ways for you and your team to increase productivity at work. Instead of trying to do a bunch of these at once, find a couple that you can implement right away. There’s a lot of technology being developed to help you organize your life, use your time effectively, and make your life easier.
With Biophilic design studio, your office can become a more natural, healthy and sustainable place to work in, delivering you more concentration and work efficiency due to natural decor, smart lightning that suits your mood, scent and sound that will inspire you to be more productive and have additional wellness benefits.
Designing Sustainable Offices: Make Your Office More Eco-Friendly — Wellness Design Consultants
Making green improvements to an office design has a beneficial impact not only for energy costs but also on employee wellness and productivity. Sustainable office space is more comfortable to work in, has better air quality, uses less energy, and reduces the carbon footprint compared to offices that have not made green office improvements.
There are many ways to upgrade to a green office and help make it a more sustainable office space. This guide is a selected list of tips on how to make a sustainable office space or how to make your office more eco friendly. The ideas are easy to implement and they will make a considerable difference over time, optimizing an office for success.
Is sustainable same as eco-friendly? - Terminology problem.
What’s the difference between green, sustainable and eco-Friendly?
Being environmentally friendly office simply means having a lifestyle that is better for ecosystems and the environment. Environmentally friendly office is also known as eco friendly office space, nature-friendly, and green, but ecologically approved doesn’t necessarily mean sustainable. Choosing office furniture made from eco friendly materials is a key aspect of creating an environmentally friendly office.
Equally as confusing can be the adjectives that are used to describe these terms, such as green, ethical, fair trade, clean, organic, non-toxic, conscious… The careless practice of using these terms lightly and synonymously, has created a bit of confusion.
Green office vs. eco-friendly vs. sustainable office space
The meaning of the word “green office” has long outgrown the colour. It's now frequently used in a colloquial manner of speaking and applies to almost everything related to benefiting the environment, from architecture to coworking spaces.
Eco-friendly isn't quite so broad. It means that something doesn't harm the planet, while sustainability at the office sets the focus on the future.
Sustainable office space is the most precisely defined term and represents the wide scope of issues and activities that compromise the ability of future generations. This means that the environment, economy and social lives are benefiting, while not using too many resources or causing pollution.
Compared to ‘”green office” an eco friendly office sustainability has much higher standards. Sustainability at the office includes eco-friendly activities and green products, but green doesn't necessarily mean sustainable.
For instance, products made from renewable resources are considered green, yet if a life-cycle analysis shows that it requires a lot of energy to manufacture or ship, and if there isn't a proper way to dispose of the product - then it's not considered sustainable.
Conscious vs. Thoughtful
Term conscious refers to consumer awareness and high standards regarding health and the environment. It can sometimes include spirituality and wellness too. The conscious consumer knows how to read labels and will spend extra money on a product that is organic, sustainable, or animal-friendly.
The definition of thoughtful means consideration of other people's needs and being well-informed on a topic before making a buy. Being truly thoughtful is embracing a new lifestyle, where less is more - embracing slow fashion, buying less and getting rid of excessive items in your home.
How to make an eco friendly office space?
How to be more environmentally friendly at work?
Making green office improvements to a coworking space has a beneficial impact not only on energy costs, but also on employee wellness and productivity. Reducing energy consumption through energy-efficient appliances and sustainable materials can lead to lower energy costs and improved employee wellness. Energy efficient spaces are more comfortable to work in, have better air quality and use less energy. Some of our five sustainable office space ideas will help optimize an office.
1. For an eco friendly office space consider material efficiency
Material efficiency is crucial to any green building, including a green office. This means selecting materials that are sustainable, for both exterior and interior, with a lower level of VOCs, or that are made from a high percentage of recycled content. Choosing sustainable office furniture made from responsibly sourced materials can contribute to material efficiency. This can be as simple as selecting efficient materials whenever it’s time to replace current ones.
For example, when the exterior begins to show signs of wear, switch to a greener material like wood and include other upgrades such as insulating beneath the cladding to improve the building’s energy efficiency at the same time.
2. Increase insulation for an eco friendly office space
Harvard University found that workers in a green office were more than twice as productive as those in conventional offices. In part, this was due to the increase in natural lighting within the office building.
Natural light in an environmentally friendly office has a positive effect on people and their health, can lead to a positive impact on energy usage, as it allows you to reduce the artificial lighting throughout the building. Incorporating energy efficient lighting can further reduce energy usage and enhance the benefits of natural light.
Increasing natural light can be done by introducing more windows or skylights into the design of an sustainable office space, but also opens the possibility for office plans that can keep areas from being shut off from natural light sources.
Glass walls or a lack of partitions can help maximizing natural light within the green office interiors. Changing the layout of working areas to position them closer to natural light sources can also help.
Begin with insulating below the exterior cladding or look into materials that include insulation, such as insulated concrete blocks. Add interior insulation inside walls and beneath the roof, then seal gaps surrounding windows and doors. Doing so can increase the energy efficiency of the building by as much as 40 percent.
3. Water usage and efficiency in environmentally friendly office
Office workers are going through a lot of water consumption on a daily basis, so if you haven’t made changes to your water efficiency within the building, that means also that electricity usage is also maximized, not only water, which increases the environmental impact of the office.
Consider a dual plumbing system that will allow you to recycle greywater for toilet use. Investing in low-water use toilets and faucets can save thousands of gallons of water over the year.
4. Rethink unused space to make a sustainable office space
Many offices and office buildings have space that is either underutilized or not used at all. These areas are still being heated, cooled and provided with electricity - in one word - they are raising energy costs and taking away the energy efficiency of the office and building. Integrating renewable energy sources can further enhance the energy efficiency of the office.
Two of the most common methods of dealing with these spaces include:
Reconfigure the office layout to use every inch of space, benefiting at the same time of increasing flow through, ventilation and light.
Shut off unused spaces by closing vents and disconnecting power sources that are being drained.
5. Insert greenery for a green and eco-friendly office
Greener office buildings are not only more cost-effective, but they also have long-reaching employee benefits - from higher productivity levels to fewer sick days. Employees working in a green office are much more efficient as well, allowing for green improvements to pay for themselves over time.
Incorporating greenery into office design demonstrates a commitment to a sustainable future, positively impacting the corporate image.
How to make an office more sustainable and efficient?
The typical office provides lots of opportunities for going green. Embracing natural light, paperless meetings, and working from home can help your company save both money and energy.
The important thing to remember is that integrating sustainable practices can both raise awareness and accomplish more. That includes starting or enabling a more successful recycling program, and informing of purchasing decisions on energy-efficient appliances and green cleaning supplies.
Educating staff through informational lunch-and-learn sessions with local departments of water and power or waste authority is yet another form of increasing awareness and sustainability at the office.
Create monthly green challenges in your green office
Monthly team challenges can be a fun way of combining competition and going green. For example, you can challenge the office to go a month with no plastic, and reward those who stick with it by offering small prizes, such as gift cards or healthy snacks.
Upgrading to LED lighting can be a part of monthly green challenges to reduce energy consumption.
Bring a desk plant.
If you’re able, bring in a desk plan to improve indoor air quality and bring some nature into the office environment. Plants produce oxygen, offset chemicals released into the air by furniture and make a cleaner, happier space for your people to work in.
Everything-off-at-night rule for an energy efficient office
Turn off electronics, lighting, and heat every evening upon leaving the office as a great way of saving power and money. In fact, your equipment must be switched off at the main plug, and, If someone forgets to do that - they have to donate some money in your Green Jar.
Opt for better office products and embrace renewable energy
There may not be room in your budget to buy exclusively sustainable products, but you can focus on certain areas that have a huge overall impact, such as more efficient electronics.
Purchased greener electronics will ultimately avoid the disposal of 124 metric tons of hazardous waste. Also, green power sources, including solar and wind energy, are more accessible today, with options of installation on the rooftop and large-scale wind farms.
Go paperless for a futuristic green office
It's as easy as keeping digital files on on your computers and mobile devices, not file cabinets.
Get in the habit of reviewing digital documents on-screen, rather than printing them out. By completely moving to digital, we could reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 1.45 million metric tons - the equivalent of taking 280,000 cars off the road for an entire year.
Mother nature gave us everything we could ever need to sustain our health, help our mental and physical wellbeing, and improve concentration whenever we acknowledge the need for it.
The solution of embracing green office design has become increasingly popular over the last few years, proven to boost productivity improve mood and enhance concentration while delivering an interior design that is environmentally sustainable.
biophilic design we use a technique and principles that respectfully harness the restorative, energizing properties of Mother Nature and implement them for physical and mental health benefits of our clients.
For more on ergonomic furniture in a healthy office interior see our blog post here
office interiors & outdoor workspace, porto montenegro
branding, signage and landscaping
interior styling, furniture procurement and landscaping
exterior workspace / chillout area, styling and furniture procurement
exterior workspace / chillout area, styling and furniture procurement
Coworking space design - a secret to productive coworking space
Mother nature gave us everything we could ever need to sustain our health, help our mental and physical wellbeing, and improve concentration whenever we acknowledge the need for it. So, why do we insist on moving away from the “free of charge” benefits we were born with?
Furthermore, why don’t we just keep a generous part of nature in spaces where we usually need the most help with our mental health - in our homes, but more importantly - in our offices.
The solution is embracing renewable energy with green office design!
Green office design has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and there is a good reason behind it. The green office solutions promote a healthy biophilic design, proven to boost productivity amongst staff, as well as improve mood and enhance concentration while delivering an interior design that is environmentally sustainable.
Natural, healthy and sustainable coworking space
Healthy, natural and sustainable office design implemented through some of the most important factors oriented to contributing natural benefits to coworkers is the use of materials and natural habitat-based colours in the coworking space interior design, adjustable LED lighting, quality of air that does not contain filth, smog-based chemicals, mould and other polluting elements that may cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans.
Green office design includes scientifically confirmed facts based on numerous case studies and model that you can use to build a suitable environmental management system for your organisation, allowing you to reduce your workplace’s carbon footprint and use natural resources sustainably.
Science and art can help you create an optimal coworking space design.
Coworking offices design that does not implement natural light or views of nature, no living plants, stale indoor air and bland decor - is pretty much guaranteed to have a negative impact on employee productivity.
In short term, it could potentially produce damaging effects to the company itself, with the final result being the long-term sick person with difficulties attracting or/and retaining, not only concentration but wholesome health.
Investing in innovative, positive, healthy and appealing coworking space design and the environment is, actually achieving maximum wellbeing for office workers while keeping an eye firmly on their performance and output.
Biophilic coworking space design with a vision for future
Gaining responsibility and status on the sustainable office design, biophilic coworking space design is in charge of the new way of designing an eco-friendly office for many headquarters, making this concept contribute to the mental and physical wellness of its users, while delivering long-term value for the brand.
The key to maximizing the impact of biophilic coworking space design is adopting a cohesive and multi-sensory approach. It is of great importance to execute the dissonance between the visual, sonic, tactile and olfactory senses.
Decoration of plants and “earthy” colour palettes for healthy office
The materials you choose for your coworking space design will not only influence the final ambience but also impact the users’ health and wellness by reducing harmful toxins present in the office.
Opting for materials that are natural and sustainable, but also in tones of natural elements - will help ensure a healthy environment. Good materials to consider include wood, bamboo, linen, cork, and ceramic for the bigger parts of the green office design.
Natural and plant-based coworking space design attracts new people, increase satisfaction, as well as create a non-polluting, toxin-free workplace for every employee. Luscious indoor plants add personality to any space and make any office - healthy office!
They can be as simple as a few large leaved plants arranged around the corners in natural terracotta pots or as expansive as a vertical garden wall - the “living wall”. Terrariums and even aquascapes with living fish are also creative ways to bring the outside world in.
Amazon spheres for a healthy office - best of coworking space design
Buildings called “The Spheres” are an excellent example of biophilic coworking space design and environmentally friendly design in general. It basically means thousands of plants from all over the world, including a variety of “living walls” - 4,000 square feet of the vegetated surface.
This giant 'recharge space' or natural, indoor lungs are a way that aims to connect employees and visitors with nature in an urban setting. Glass domes are made for letting in an abundance of natural light that in turn sustains all the plants.
Lightning that inspires awareness and concentration
Implementing a circadian lighting system that follows the body’s natural rhythm can help improve productivity of the workers by day and, eventually, sleep quality when workers return home in the evenings. Lightning in coworking space design is primarily used to skew relaxation and energy.
The right light to use in making an environmentally friendly and sustainable office design are LED bulbs that imitate natural light whenever possible or needed. When the sun rays aren’t available, deploy a lighting system that offers blue-white tones in the middle of the day, accompanied by warmer, more amber tones at sunrise and sunset.
Light arranged like this will ensure the awakeness, awareness and concentration of your employees.
Mimicking the sound of nature for stressless coworking space design
One of the most soothing things in nature are her sounds. Chorus of birds, running waters and splashes or rustling leaves - the human need of these sounds is well known and described from an evolutionary perspective and the term “biophilia”.
Recreating these suiting sounds during the coworking space design will improve concentration, reduce stress levels, enhance mood, give a vigorous sense of vitality, give comfort and enhance wellbeing.
High air quality and scents for functional coworking space design
Modern coworking space interior design seems to be neglecting the state of indoor air quality and keeping lungs unhappy.
To restore air to its natural and nature-like state one needs to deploy an air purifier - preferably one with a HEPA filter. This filter removes all the pollutants of furniture gasses or the access dirt that drifted in from the streets outside, helping
to reduce allergies and promote cognitive function at the same time.
The subtle use of diffusers or other scented little helpers can make a room, bathroom or office much more enjoyable.
Clean and fresh scents such as forest-inspired pine and cedarwood will replenish any sanitary related area, but citrusy tangs of lemon zest combined with bergamot are great for the “morning welcome” to work. Herbal mixtures of peppermint, sage, rosemary during the day will aid in mental clarity during the long day at work.
The sustainable office design can only improve our business world if companies’ management systems are committed to it. With green office design and sustainable coworking space interior design, we can build an active, green and healthy oriented way to promote environmental issues in any organisation, and eventually - improve the general state of the planet.
Resort Kids Clubs Design - The Importance of Clubs for Kids — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Kids clubs are real life children havens, packed with everything children can wish for, making them a family-friendly option for vacations. A good kids club is essential in providing a valuable experience for both children and parents, offering elevated and imaginative spaces and programming. Parents can enjoy a few hours of relaxation and freedom while their children are entertained and cared for by the hotel staff.
This new age concept is a result of the modern age we live in - the scarcity of time we have on our hands, and the constant inability to spend enough quality time with our children. For that purpose, kindergartens have become a necessity, and together with them - the concept of a kids’ club.
What is a kids’ club?
Kids’ clubs can be a fully equipped mini playground or a complete village designed specially for children, but their actual purpose is to engage the children (and oftentimes - educate them), for however long their parents need it. Kids’ clubs can offer a wide range of activities such as - art and music classes, dancing, maritime and animal experiences, but also, language lessons or nature experiences.
Whatever the concept of the kids’ club might be, we are here to explore the kids club design, what impact does it have on the entire setting and have biophilic principles found their way towards this kid-friendly space.
Kids club design elements and how they fit their purpose
Kids club design concepts are mainly oriented towards storytelling, which makes perfect sense, since this kind of concept can help create everlasting memories for children, but their parents as well.
The principle of storytelling can help create a form of identity for the kids club itself, as well as play spaces alike, using different design and spatial elements. This also involves some custom made play units and mascots, to increase the atmosphere of the story. An art room for creative activities can also be included, providing opportunities for children to engage in artistic pursuits.
A kid club concept should also involve integration for different children age groups, created as play areas that are safe, engaging, and whole lot of fun. Having in mind that every child loves to play and that every childalso loves a good story, it is obvious that children need more than cool designed space and over the top play units. A basketball court can be part of these play areas, offering another fun activity for kids. Rock climbing can also be included, providing an exciting and challenging activity for children.
They need a space with a purpose, whose energy and soul they can basically touch.
They need a unique concept that will capture their imaginations and make them feel as if they are in a truly magical environment, where they can obtain all kinds of new experiences.
Kids club concept in family friendly resorts - more than just an extra service?
Even though kids’ club concepts in hospitality interiors are available as a source of revenue, they have also become a necessity in family friendly resorts.
A great example is Alana Beach Club, a family-friendly resort in Croatia, which offers a well-designed kids club with a wide range of activities for kids aged 2-17.
Regarded as an extra service in hospitality, often times kids’ club design in hotels is not put together in a way that captivates the children’s imagination. Kids’ clubs are available in house to both resident and non-resident guests. We’ve already established that children appreciate (or better said - love) a good story, which is why the interior designers who specialize in this kind of concept should try and deliver one.
Storytelling as such should be weaved into the fabric of the kids’ club design and overall concept - the story material should be immersed in the design detail, but not only in that front.
Immersing storytelling into kids' club activities for younger kids
What do we mean by that?
Aside from having a great story showcased in the kids’ club interior design, it should also become an integral part of the activities offered in the kids’ club - molding one great adventure, instead of just a series of unconnected events that do not make much sense together. Storytelling activities can be tailored for older kids and younger kids, ensuring age-appropriate engagement and entertainment.
Kids clubs also offer special birthday parties, providing tailored and dedicated services for children celebrating while on vacation.
Immersing storytelling elements should be kept simple, but also, relevant - they should be based on local myths and generally known fairy tales presented in a way that gives children an extra insight of the country they are staying at.
In addition to that, if the fictional characters act as fun educational ambassadors, than the story becomes a powerful narrative that captivates children’s minds, enabling them to learn while having fun and playing with other children.
Biophilic design in the kids club concept
The principles of biophilia have taken the world by storm - mainly it the field of interior design and in terms how it can help people be healthier and more productive, but also how to reconnect with nature once again.
Biophilic design** in kids clubs aims to provide a dedicated space** with a focus on biophilia, in order for children to play, nap and above all else feel well, promoting well being as important as playing and relaxing. Planning kids club activities during school holidays ensures that families can make the most of their vacation time. A private beach for relaxation and water sports can further enhance this experience, including activities like stand up paddleboarding.
This healthy concept introduction to children’s clubs, that can be dubbed as biophilic kids’ clubs, exist to promote a space that is both healthy for our environment, and for our children. Accommodations with private pools offer a more personalized experience, adding to the luxurious feel of the stay.
Biophilic design in kids’ clubs rests upon the notion that not only working grown-ups, should be surrounded by materials that are responsibly sourced, recycled and possess a low-impact. The space that those materials formshould provide a good air-quality, be exposed to natural lighting as much as it can and promote outdoor activity too.
Children should reconnect with the natural world as young as they are and understand the importance of having environmental experiences, in order to cultivate awareness that nature has in our everyday lives.
Biophilic kids clubs exist to enhance the children’s well being, through the incorporation of basic biophilic principles, that in turn weave the outline of the specific narrative the spatial elements want to tell.
Through nature inspired decor, wellness lighting and the unavoidable presence of plants, biophilic design in kids’ clubs is a sort of a future legacy - a way to show our children that nature and our connection to it matter and that it’s something that should be valued.
Organic Construction Materials and Their Benefits — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Learn all about the organic building materials.
Organic building materials are a new-age remedy for battling the environmental pollution to whom we are exposed all the time.
The amount of energy that is used daily, and the contamination created in the process of using man-made construction materials is astounding and terrifying at the same time. The construction industry is increasingly recognizing the potential of organic building materials to transform its practices. There is a noticeable shift from traditional building materials like concrete and steel to more environmentally-friendly options in sustainable architecture and design. Harmful chemicals used in growing all the time, lead to many people becoming sick or allergic.
Hence the need for eco friendly building materials as the alternative, and if you want to know what eco friendly construction materials we refer to and what are their benefits, be sure to read the rest of the blog.
Features of natural building materials
The eco building materials, also known as organic building materials, are grown from seeds and their main feature is to absorb carbon dioxide while they grow. Unlike synthetic materials, organic materials are sustainable, require less energy to produce, and have a lower impact on the environment. After harvesting, their special property is to isolate the greenhouse gas, instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
The usage of natural building materials leads to healthier buildings thanks to their ability to “breathe” by absorbing and giving off moisture for a healthy indoor environment. Materials such as wood, straw, cellulose, bamboo, natural plants, oils, and waxes are used to create more energy-efficient buildings that are solid and safe, but at the same time, better for the environment.
Given the fact that the emphasis is on the energy efficiency and sustainability, it is no wonder that eco-friendly building materials are meant to pave the way to a more natural approach in construction, and here are some of them.
Straw bale - old is new again
Why did we say that?
Well, the thing with straw bale as an eco friendly material, is that was used a long time ago, and now this technique is reintroduced and updated for the 21st century.
Straw bales are made from the waste of the agricultural industry, as lumber substitutes, with an ability to isolate carbon.
Homes made from straw bales have thicker walls than it might seem at first, offering a great insulation and fire resistance, matching your favorite aesthetic at the same time. Straw bale homes keep warm in the winter, and cooler in the summer, which is makes them a great choice at all times.
Rammed earth - one of the oldest eco building techniques
Earth construction has been known for ages, so it is wonder it is still used today, given it is one of the most durable construction techniques.
The practical features of the rammed earth are their use as a thermal storage, which allows the sun to warm it during the day, and then slowly release that warmth in the evenings.
This low-carbon technique functions in a way where soil and binder are placed in layers, and are pressured afterwards, allowing it to create a hard and durable surface, that is now often seen in luxury homes with dramatic and durable walls that resemble sedimentary rock.
Bamboo sustainable building material - an alternative for wood
Not only that bamboo resembles wood aesthetically, but it also belongs to the grass family, meaning it can regenerate fairly quickly in comparison to trees. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, with an ability to grow up to three meters per day, depending on the type.
Bamboo might just be the perfect alternative for wood, and it's not just the speedy growth rate that makes it so. Since we are talking about eco building materials for construction purposes, bamboo can be harvested up to every 3 years, while that period being very prolonged in case of trees, going up to 25-50 years in case of some species.
Bamboo is a perfect sustainable alternative even when it comes to applications - it can be used for tiles, flooring, lumber, decking and countertops. So, not only does it help forest regenerate thanks to its' rise in popularity, but also enables you to be creative and use it however you want.
Mycelium - futuristic mushroom insulation
Even though it sounds as something that comes straight from a sci-fi movie, among the organic building materials known as biocomposites (products derived from plants, bacteria, animals and fungi), mycelium is a champion when it comes to bioplastics that can be used in construction purposes.
Mycelium is mushroom-based organic building material that can be used in creating construction materials stronger than concrete, more insulated than fiberglass and completely disposable.
Mycelium comprises the root structure of fungi and mushrooms, and can be encouraged to grow in the composite of other natural materials such as ground up straws or molds. They can also be air-dried to create lightweight, but very strong bricks or other shapes.
Green living roofs in the core of biophilic design
As you know, the base of biophilic design is comprised of plants, and green living roofs are another proof how applicable biophilic design is in terms of sustainability and organic building materials.
These vegetated roofs consist of a waterproof membrane, growing medium (soil), and vegetation overlying a traditional roof. This might be a perfect example how biophilic design works when it comes to sustainable architecture and construction.
The benefits of green roofs are many, but some of the most important ones are their durability, obvious energy efficiency and improved air quality, noise reduction and water retention.
Tree bark as a sustainable material
Sustainable forestry is all the rage now, and we couldn't be happier about it!
New practices involve using tree bark as a sort of organic building material. In its' essence, bark is a highly durable, attractive, economical, and it goes without saying - sustainable option for siding and shingling.
In case of sustainable construction, the bark used comes only from the trees that are already cut, for usually it's tossed away as debris, burned or used to make mulch.
Siding made from bark can last 75 up to 100 years, without any regular maintenance required, painting or sealants, which also means there is no chemical runoff. After it's removed from the trees, bark is kiln dried - sterilized against fungus and pests.
This sterilization technique involves no pesticides or any other harmful chemicals, but also, it will never warp or shrink upon installation.
We could say that the future of sustainable organic building materials is secured, or it gets more so at an amazing rate. With just a little ingenuity, planning and mainly use of the organic building materials available to us - it will be possible to construct buildings with a very high sustainability index exceeding couple of hundred years, and Biofilico will be there to support it.
Best Plants for Office No Windows: A Guide to Plants That Don't Need Sun — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Find out which plants that don’t need sun to thrive.
Have you ever wanted to make a radical change and decorate your living or office space, especially an office with no windows, using biophilic design?
Some of the most important principles biophilic design is based on introducing as much natural lighting as possible, but that is virtually impossible in cases when you can’t open windows due to various building regulations or simply because the room does have windows but they not in the right position for flowering plants due to low natural light levels?
If you are wondering about what plants for windowless office, in other words, plants that dont need sun directly on their leaves, read on to learn more.
What then?
Well, circadian lighting that imitates natural one is the way to go in case of no or low light conditions, but what about plants?
Well, that can be covered too, by opting for houseplants that don’t need sun, and if you want to find out what are the best plants that don’t need sun to thrive - keep up with us.
Plethora of indoor plants for low light conditions
It’s very well established that plants need some sunshine at least, but there are some low maintenance plants that need less than most, or none at all, in order to survive, as they can thrive in artificial lighting as well.
Here are some of the best plants that grow without sunlight and can add a much needed touch of greenery to your home or office.
Chinese evergreen plant
Among the office plants that need no sunlight, or next to none, is the Chinese Evergreen. To many people, this low-maintenance plant is a great kind to start with if you are new to houseplants in general.
The older Chinese Evergreens produce flowers that are similar to calla lilies, and look the best on the floor next to furniture, while the younger version is compact enough to fit on your desk, tabletop, or shelf.
Speaking about their sun preferences, this plant's needs depend on the color of its leaves. Therefore, if they have darker leaves, they thrive in low light, while the varieties with pink or orange leaves prefer medium light. Either way, they shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight.
Chinese Evergreen made its way to NASA’s list of air-filtering houseplants, which should say enough about the benefits of owning one!
Snake plant & spider plant love the gloomy corners
Snake plants and spider plants are incredibly indulgent, and can thrive in those gloomy corners of your house or office, that barely any sun touches. They are not even that demanding when it comes to watering as they need to be watered only when the top layer of the soil is completely dry.
Snake plants have pointed leaves, motley coloured that can look equally beautiful, whether in a small pot or in a larger planter. They are adaptable to various light conditions, including low light, and are known for their air-purifying qualities, making them suitable for office spaces and busy households. They need to be watered only when the top layer of the soil is completely dry, and that usually takes about two to three weeks.
Spider plant is usually used as a hanging plant, and it grows like weed, so it needs to be trimmed regularly. As they are prone to rotting, you have to keep the saucer and a pot with drainage underneath, in order to avoid that.
Vibrant Bromeliad
Bromeliads are tropical plants, and can also be enlisted among the houseplants that don’t need sun, or not a lot of it at least.
Bromeliads are unique looking, and resemble some tropical plants with vigorous pops of colour, which makes them a perfect option for a houseplant that will look good wherever you put it - on the shelf, tabletop, or even on the floor, depending on the species.
Most Bromeliad species prefer indirect sunlight, which means that it’s not directly hitting the plant. If you do happen to position it under the direct sunlight, the extended exposure will damage its’ leaves, so it’s best to keep near a window for example, not in front of it. Another great thing about bromeliads is that they can thrive on fluorescent lighting if the natural is not available.
Maidenhair Fern - beautiful but complicated
Maidenhair Ferns are one of those beautiful plants that don't need sunlight, but are a bit complex when it comes to the watering part. Ferns must not be over or under watered, they have to stay humid at best.
They thrive better if they are planted in a clay pot, and instead of being watered from the top, you have to put small stones in the saucer beneath the pot, and put water directly in the saucer. This is how you create a humidity dome around the plant, but another safe option is to keep it in the bathroom.
Semi - dangerous Dumb Canes
These beautiful plants are a common ornament both in homes and office spaces, and are called dumb canes because of the parts of the plant that are poisonous, which is why
it's advisable to keep them away from children and pets.
Dumb Canes can thrive anywhere between low and high filtered lighting (the sunlight that shines through a curtain or a covered window), depending on the species. Most of theme can survive really well in the low light, but some of the probably won't grow anymore.
The cascading Ivy
The Ivy varieties might some of the most popular plants that don't need sun out there. Some of them are green, while others can have white or green diversification.
Ivys are quite tolerant of any form of neglect, so you can only water them when they've completely dried out, cause you don't want them to feel soggy. When it comes to their appearance, you can always trim them if you want to keep them looking sumptuous.
The English Ivy variety is the to turn any gloomy wall or corner into a piece of art, but it's also great for fences and other places you can decorate with vines, but keep in mind that vines take a longer period of time to grow.
The English Ivy prefers bright indirect light, but can survive in the low lighting conditions as well. The thing is - the more light it gets, the brighter green it becomes, however, it shouldn't be exposed to it too much.
The extravagant Staghorn Ferns
Staghorn ferns are one of those unique, excessive plants that can be very picky when it comes to their living conditions, which also applies to lighting.
The Staghorns prefer bright indirect or filtered lighting, but never direct sunlight. It should also be noted that the plant can not survive in the artificial light, and it can be a bit high-maintenance in terms of watering - like Maidenhair Fern, the soil has to be damp, but never wet.
Pothos for beginners
If you are new to plant care, the plants that don’t need sun (or not a lot of it) are a great start, but how to choose when wanting to cultivate plants without sunlight, is whole other dimension.
We believe Pothos is a great beginners plant - it prefers bright, indirect light, and can even tolerate low light conditions. It is commonly known for its’ oval leaves and pinkish veins, thanks to which it looks great in hanging baskets. Pothos can also thrive under fluorescent light, making it a versatile choice for various indoor settings.
However, even though Pothos is considered to be quite the low maintenance, if it doesn’t get enough light during the day - it will close its’ leaves over night and won’t reopen them anymore, or the leaves will start to fade, so make sure not to put it in the shade.
The vibrant Bird of Paradise
The tropical looking Bird of Paradise is not only the future replacement for all of your other plants, it’s is also enlisted among the lower maintenance plants that can live without sunlight. Another great option for windowless offices is the cast iron plant, known for its hardiness and minimal care requirements.
This vibrantly coloured plant has a unique look, but doesn’t require a ton of care at the same time, which makes it a perfect household plant. You should always make sure the soil is damp though, so your Bird of Paradise would thrive.
The bottom line now that you know what kind of plants that don’t need sun, or not much of it, are, than you are ready to start decorating your home, or your office, with the right green touches of some air purifying, mid-maintenance plants that make any space instantly brighter.
Further Reading
An introduction to biophilic design in sustainable buildings
Connecting People, Places And Plants: Biophilia With Junglefy, Australia
Biophilic Design And Wellbeing Interiors- An Evolutionary Perspective
How To Know If Your Workplace Fits The Wellness Office Concept
Coworking Space Design - A Secret To Productive Coworking Space
Examples Of Biophilic Design Interiors Cannabis Retail Stores
Wellbeing Gardens And Biophilia With Dr. Lauriane Chalmin-Pui
Mental Health Benefits Of Biophilic Indoor Environment In Virtual Reality - Harvard Research Study
Benefits of biophilic design - why is it good for you?
Find out what the main benefits of biohilic design are.
As you’re probably aware by now, biophilic design represents a design philosophy and principles that encourage the use of natural systems and elements of nature such as plants, water and natural lighting, whether for workplace or commercial purposes, such as hospitality or home interiors.
Although still in its’ pioneering stage, the benefits of biophilic design that are felt in everyday life, in different manners, suggest that this type of design will become widespread, if not for the tactile benefits of it, then for the inner urge we, as a human race, share to reconnect with nature again.
History has shown us that the more we evolve, the more innate our desire gets, especially if we spend our entire lives in urban areas, making us wish to spend time in spaces that are allowing us to thrive in spaces that incorporate the elements of nature. Given that biophilic design is getting more of a much deserved attention and gaining popularity in the various types of environments, here are some of the greatest benefits of biophilic design.
Biophilic design benefits in the business and commercial sphere
Since modern world conditions us to spend substantial amount of time in confined environments, any contact with natural elements results in reduced stress and increased productivity.
Thanks to a therapeutic role it has when it comes to calming, uplifting and anxiety reducing, it is no wonder that biophilic design benefits are also of a physical and mental nature. What’s even greater is that thanks to this role, biophilic design provided it is represented in a higher proportion, can positively affect a large portion of the population, whatever their professions might be.
For instance, water element in confined spaces provides a calming and soothing effect in terms of stress, while natural lighting and ventilation improve overall physical well being. These biophilic design benefits can be even more improved by maximizing the view of the surrounding environment, which provides even greater amount of natural light and ventilation.
We desire comfort, and yet, we need natural elements too.
We want to appreciate the scenery, enjoy the shades of green, but without going too far.
Biophilic design does precisely this - it allows us to create a landscape in our exterior space, put a fountain in the lobby, or a green wall in the office and make us relish in natural elements and fresh air.
The physical health benefits of biophilic design
Whether you introduce plants in pots, or as green walls, especially in the office environment, the result will be the ultimate improval of air quality, since vegetation absorbs pollutants, toxins and airborne microbes.
Using plants in biophilic design also proved beneficial in terms of removal harmful volatile organic compounds that are usually found in paint, carpets and furniture of most buildings, especially those who have the symptoms of sick-building syndrome.
Plants also allow for the water to vapor back in the air, which is especially useful in confined spaces where the air is always dry, not to mention the heightened sensitivity of throat and nose membranes that ultimately lead to higher susceptibility to viruses and allergens.
Proximity to nature for our mental welfare
Spending too much time in confined spaces, as we already do, tends to wake the feelings of stress and anger, whilst on the other hand, bringing nature into our everyday lives soothes us and makes feel calmer, with also improving our confidence and self esteem.
It has been proven that proximity of nature, even if it’s just a nice green view outside our window, or just a visual image of it, has a remarkable effect on our way of thinking, helping us to garner a more positive outlook on life.
Nature evokes happiness.
Once we incorporate water fountains or wooden furniture in our living or working environments, while also incorporating more subtle natural elements like natural light and gorgeous view - we get an injection of a more cheerful thinking, nourishing the positive perspective and creating a more harmonious workplace ambiance.
Deeper sense of belonging induced by biophilic design
One of the major benefits of biophilic design when it comes to its’ utilization in work environments is its’ ability to induce the sense of loyalty and belonging, particularly in hub-like workplaces where employees don’t have assigned seating.
Maintaining and improving the office environment demonstrates that the employer cares about the working conditions of their employees, and by default, cares about their well being too.
For example, many modern office spaces tend to be sterile, but once you follow up with some of the leading biophilic design principles, and add plants, different furniture and water fountain - you automatically transform it into a space that is more relatable, easier and healthier to spend time in, introducing a more personal dimension.
Productivity and creativity enhancement as a biophilic design benefit
Natural lighting enhances productivity and creativity.
But how?
This biophilic design element has a surprisingly important role in enhancing employee productivity, in a quite simple way - it boosts the creation of melatonin. Melatonin is important since it regulates people’s sleep-wake cycles, making a noticeable difference in our energy levels, thus resulting as one of the priceless biophilic design benefits - productivity enhancement.
Workplaces where natural lighting is not a dominant light source, and where it can not be due to various limiting factors, are presented with circadian lighting systems that imitate colour temperature and illumination changes during the day - resulting in the more awake and energized staff.
Creation of separate open-plan zones is also one of the ways to improve productivity, since such spaces include communal areas that can be used for different purposes - whether for socializing or as quiet spots, where one can work undisturbed.
Pure business aspect of biophilic design benefits - branding
Biophilic design has proven as a remarkable way in creating a company identity through a visual surrounding - a character that induces certain impression, a feeling that stays with a visitor, client or a potential employee.
But, what is it exactly?
What kind of character does biophilic design paint?
The answer is simple - environmental awareness and sustainable approach, all of which induces trust and reinforces the brand character.
Using biophilic design in order to illustrate the point of your brand or company, you can reference some of your core principles, and at the same time, create a more peaceful and restorative environment that inspires you every day, as soon as you set your foot through the door.
How do all of these biophilic design benefits benefit you?
Whether you’re thinking of incorporating biophilic design in commercial or work environment, these facilities have to be approached as lifetime assets, and not like areas that are in need of constant maintenance.
The improval of your working area with the introduction of natural elements can be (and should be) regarded as a cost-neutral move that benefits in all of the ways we listed above. Rather than believing that this decision will cost you a fortune, you should perceive it as a long-term investment.
Biophilic design benefits you mainly in the manner of introducing you ways to strategically plan and decorate your surroundings - ways that will ultimately result in a better physical and mental health, overall boost in creativity and productivity, as well as in the sense of reinforcement of your business using aesthetically pleasing natural elements.
With the boundaries of work and personal life becoming more and more blurred, and our wellness constantly being shunned, then biophilic design is a way to recuperate it - a way that has just gotten more important, and certainly one we can help you with.
Deep sleep bedrooms - how to optimize your bedroom for better sleep?
Learn more about how to optimize your bedroom for better sleep with deep sleep bedrooms.
Sleep plays a crucial role in our health and wellbeing throughout life. It is essential to get enough quality sleep at nighttime. Our bodies must rest and recharge in order to keep operating at full capacity. And while many people are aware of this, our modern-day life routines usually prevent us from truly receiving all the health benefits of sleep.
Studies indicate that there are many factors that influence sleep quality and they can be both internal and external. Among these are our drinking and eating habits or the medications we take but the environment in which we sleep can also greatly influence the quantity and quality of our sleep.
However, there are many tips that you can easily apply in order to increase the quality of your sleep. They are related to the interior design of our bedroom, which can make a great difference in our lives. We have created a short guide for you which can help give your body and mind a well-deserved rest.
Sleep cycles - What happens when we sleep?
Many people think that there is not much going on in our bodies while we sleep, but that’s not quite true. Your brain is actually very active during sleep and it does some pretty important things. Brain, heart, and lungs could not function properly without enough quality sleep and benefits to metabolism, immune function and mood have also been proven.
There are five stages of sleep, progressing from stage 1 (light sleep) through stages 3 and 4 (deep sleep) to stage 5 known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Right after you fall asleep, your body begins to restore daytime mental functioning and carry out processes that lead to physical growth.
Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity.
The importance of deep sleep phase
Deep sleep is a stage that is associated with the slowest brain waves during sleep. In this phase, your heartbeat and breathing become their slowest as your muscles relax. That’s why it’s harder for a person to be awakened in this stage, even when exposed to loud stimulants. In contrary to the REM phase, the main characteristics of slow-wave sleep are absent or slow eye movement.
During this phase, your body is repairing all the muscles and tissues, restoring itself from its daily activeness and building up the energy for the next day. That being said, it’s clear why the quality and length of your deep sleep phase can significantly affect your quality of life.
Do you remember feeling particularly weak after waking up? If so, it probably means that you woke up during the slow-wave sleep. Most of the sleeping disorders are associated with this stage of sleep as well. Sleepwalking is an example of parasomnia that originates during deep sleep and results in walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep.
Adjust your room for better sleep
Environmental changes could really make all the difference for your sleep cycle. If you feel like you are often sleep-deprived, we’ve put together a list of small things and adjustments you can make in order to feel more refreshed in the morning and increase the overall quality of life.
Keep your bedroom dark
Your body is programmed to sleep when it's dark, so this step is crucial in order to make your bedroom more sleep-friendly. When light is detected, it delays melatonin release, produces cortisol and keeps your body temperature raised, thus keeping you awake.
Heavy use of electrical devices such as TVs, mobile phones and tablets can also negatively affect the quality of your sleep. Being exposed to the light that our devices emit usually causes wakefulness, disrupting the natural pattern of the sleep-wake cycle. That’s why it might be a good idea to keep them outside your bedroom or make sure they are switched off before heading to bed.
If it’s necessary to have some electrical devices that emit light in your bedroom, consider covering them up at night time and blocking the source of light. If the source of light is located outside, a good solution to block them out are blackout window shades. They have proven to be pretty effective in keeping the room dark and optimal for a healthy rest.
A bedroom should have both portable and installed lighting in order to provide illumination for tasks like dressing and reading, but it might be worth it installing a motion-activated night light that will only trigger an LED light when movement is detected and not disturb your sleep otherwise.
Invest in your mattress and pillows
Humans spend about a third of their lives sleeping, so it is essential to find the right mattress and pillows for our bedrooms. A mattress that provides your body with good support and ensures that your spine is in proper alignment will create a healthy space for you to sleep.
Keep in mind that there isn’t a mattress that will be suitable for every single person. It’s important to choose a mattress that will meet your personal criteria. Picking the right material is something you should pay attention to while choosing your new bedding. Mattress made with organic materials doesn’t release any harmful gases and can be a good choice.
There are other factors you should consider here like your sleeping position, for instance. If you often find yourself waking up tired or feeling back pain, it might be the right time for you to change your mattress. All mattresses will eventually decline in their support, so you should think about replacing them every eight to ten years.
Pillows are equally important when it comes to good healthy sleep. A good sleeping posture is a key to sleeping well, night after night, and waking up without feeling tired or sore. In order to determine the best pillow for you, consider the shape of your spine as well as the position you sleep in for most of the night.
Bring organic materials into your bedroom
The natural and organic appeal of elements make us feel calm and relaxed, therefore they make a great contribution to our bedroom - rooms designed for rest. It has been proven that making our bedrooms more eco-friendly by using sustainable materials and elements will have many benefits to our wellbeing.
Products made of natural materials provide a healthy sleeping environment and generally guarantee more comfort and relaxation, compared to synthetic products. They include materials like cotton, natural latex, new wool or wild silk. Other than making your bedroom more comfortable and cozy, you will also be preserving our environment.
Using these materials in your bedroom also means that you won’t be exposed to any dangerous chemicals that synthetic materials often contain. In addition, these materials allow for better air circulation and provide excellent heat and moisture regulation. Air quality is another important aspect that often gets overlooked when it comes to interior design.
Reward your body and mind with quality sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for people of all ages to function properly and stay in good health. In the modern-day world with our busy routines, sleep is being seriously attacked. Creating a healthier sleep routine will not only improve health but also your mood or work productivity.
The long-term effects of sleep deprivation are real, and it’s high time for us all to take them seriously. These small tips we’ve listed here can truly make a big difference in your life, especially when deciding to introduce biophilic design into your bedroom. Stay consistent in following them, and you will be amazed by the results.
Benefits of Biophilic Design in Offices & Coworking Spaces
Our short explanation of the benefits of biophilic design in offices and coworking spaces (video & text versions).
Biophilic design is a technique that respectfully harnesses Mother Nature’s restorative, energizing properties for physical and mental health benefits. So, where better to implement this approach than in the workplace, where many spend 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).
By incorporating biophilic design principles, such as natural elements like plants, green walls, water features, and natural materials like stone and timber, Biofilico aims to create work environments that induce a sense of belonging, loyalty, and well-being among employees.
Here, we address the benefits of biophilics in the workplace and how to achieve them through a series of interior design, engineering, and operational interventions.
Biophilic Design: A Scientific Foundation
Biophilic design, a term coined by Edward O. Wilson, posits that humans possess an innate affinity for nature, stemming from our evolutionary history as hunter-gatherers.
This biophilia hypothesis suggests that connecting with the natural environment can profoundly affect our psychological and physiological well-being. Scientific research has consistently supported this idea.
Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of biophilic design elements. For instance, research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that access to natural light in the workplace improves sleep quality and reduces the incidence of sleep disturbances among employees.
Furthermore, a study in Frontiers in Psychology demonstrated that indoor plants in the office environment can enhance cognitive performance, including problem-solving and creativity.
Biofilico design case study: natural foods conglomerate global headquarters
Benefits of Biophilic Design
It's about much more than just a few houseplants
In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace design, the integration of biophilic design within architectural or interior design has emerged as a transformative approach that seeks to bring the natural world into the built environment.
This essay explores the profound benefits of biophilic design in the workplace, drawing upon scientific research, relevant theories, and case studies to elucidate how it positively impacts the well-being and productivity of employees.
Additionally, it will discuss the various elements of biophilic design and how they can be effectively applied in office spaces designed for sustainability and occupant well-being.
Boosting Productivity and Well-being
The workplace is an arena where employee well-being and productivity are inextricably linked. Biophilic design offers a multifaceted approach to enhance both.
Introducing plants and biophilic design in the office environment can significantly improve air quality. Plants absorb pollutants, toxins, and airborne microbes, remove harmful volatile organic compounds in paint, carpet, and furniture, and release water vapor into the air, reducing employees' chances of getting sick and improving overall well-being.
Natural elements, such as greenery, natural light, and views of nature, have been shown to reduce stress levels, increase job satisfaction, and foster a sense of connection with the environment.
The Amazon Spheres in Seattle, a workspace constructed with abundant plant life and biophilic elements, has garnered attention for its positive impact on employee well-being.
Studies conducted by the University of Oregon revealed that employees in this environment reported higher levels of creativity and workplace satisfaction. This case exemplifies how biophilic design can create a nurturing and inspiring workplace.
Enhancing Mental Health
Biophilic design promotes mental well-being in the workplace by reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue among employees. Access to natural elements like plants, daylight, and outdoor views can calm individuals, leading to improved mood and overall psychological health.
Additionally, incorporating fresh air into the workplace can significantly enhance mental well-being by reducing stress, increasing productivity, and improving air quality.
Facilitating Social Interaction
Biophilic design encourages employee social interaction and collaboration, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie in the workplace. Spaces designed with biophilic elements such as greenery and communal gathering areas create informal interactions and idea-sharing opportunities, strengthening team dynamics and relationships.
Incorporating biophilic principles into outdoor spaces such as balconies, terraces, and rooftop spaces ensures abundant natural light and exterior landscape views, further promoting social interaction.
Increasing Cognitive Function
Biophilic design enhances cognitive function and performance in the workplace by providing environments that stimulate creativity, focus, and problem-solving skills. Exposure to natural elements has been linked to improved concentration, memory retention, and task performance, ultimately boosting employee productivity and efficiency.
Combining natural materials in biophilic design can enhance cognitive function by creating more engaging and stimulating environments.
Supporting Physical Health
In addition to mental well-being, biophilic design contributes to physical health in the workplace by promoting movement, relaxation, and overall vitality. Incorporating biophilic materials, ergonomic furniture, and access to outdoor spaces encourages physical activity, reduces sedentary behavior, and supports employee health and wellness.
Natural lighting enhances physical health by regulating sleep-wake cycles, improving overall well-being, and boosting productivity.
Sustainable Practices
Biophilic design aligns with sustainable practices in the workplace by promoting the use of natural materials to create environments that enhance well-being, energy-efficient systems, and environmentally friendly strategies. By integrating biophilic elements into office spaces, organizations can reduce their ecological footprint, conserve resources, and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.
Effective Application of Natural Elements in Office Settings
To maximize the benefits of biophilic design in the workplace, it is essential to incorporate biophilic design principles by considering its various elements and how they can be thoughtfully integrated into the office environment. Here is a breakdown of key biophilic design elements:
1. Natural Light:
Incorporate large windows and skylights to optimize natural light.
Utilize daylight-responsive lighting controls to adjust artificial lighting levels based on natural light availability.
2. Greenery and Living Walls:
Integrate potted plants and vertical gardens to bring nature indoors.
Choose low-maintenance plants to ensure easy upkeep.
3. Views of Nature:
Position workstations and seating areas to provide access to outdoor views.
Use glass partitions and open layouts to maximize sightlines to the exterior.
4. Natural Materials:
Select sustainable and locally sourced materials for interior finishes, such as wood, stone, and natural fibers.
Embrace the imperfections and organic qualities of materials to evoke a connection to nature.
5. Water Features:
Incorporate indoor water elements like fountains or water walls to create a calming atmosphere.
Ensure proper maintenance to prevent mold or water damage.
6. Biophilic Color Palette:
Choose earthy, nature-inspired color schemes for interior design.
Employ colors like greens, blues, and brown to evoke natural settings.
7. Dynamic Spaces:
Create flexible and adaptable spaces that can be easily reconfigured to mimic natural environments.
Include areas for relaxation, collaboration, and solitary work, allowing employees to choose the setting that suits their needs.
8. Natural Textures and Patterns:
Integrate textures and patterns in nature into furniture, wall coverings, and flooring.
Use materials like bamboo, stone, or cork for a tactile connection to the natural world.
Biofilico design case study: natural foods conglomerate global headquarters
Conclusion - Why Bring the Natural World into a Workplace?
Incorporating biophilic design in the workplace represents a paradigm shift in office design that substantially benefits employees and organizations.
Scientific research supports the idea that connecting with nature within the workspace can enhance well-being and productivity.
Case studies, such as the Amazon Spheres, demonstrate the real-world impact of biophilic design on employee satisfaction and creativity.
The effective application of biophilic design elements, from maximizing natural light to incorporating greenery and natural materials, is crucial in creating a workplace that fosters sustainability and occupant well-being.
As organizations increasingly recognize the value of their most important asset—their employees—biophilic design is poised to become an integral part of the future of office environments, promoting harmonious coexistence of the built and natural worlds in the workplace.
What is Wabi Sabi Design? - Its Philosophy and Use in Interior Design — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Wabi sabi principles are a unique guidance to introducing these principles in your life. Learn more about wabi sabi.
TThe meaning of wabi-sabi can be broken down into “Wabi” which stands for “rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance” in Japanese, while “sabi” interprets as “enjoying the imperfect”.
This is a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that has been around since the 15th century, depicting something more than a design trend that comes and goes every so often, it is baked into Japanese culture.
Wabi sabi philosophy actually came to be as a reaction to various trends that relied on lavish depiction of interior design - trends that focused on heavy ornamentation and detailing, and the usage of rare, and often non-environmental friendly materials.
Wabi sabi principles and wabi sabi aesthetics are a unique guidance to introducing these principles in your life, and sometimes the best way to start is to bring first into your home, and then try to alter and adapt your habits and life perspective after that.
So, how do we create wabi sabi interiors in tune with this Japanese sensibility?
Wabi sabi philosophy principles and application
The principles of wabi sabi are not purely aesthetic. We could interpret wabi philosophy as a way of life, but this too would be an understatement, being that wabi sabi relies on three simple realities that recognize and accept complexity in all life’s aspects, but also value and appreciate simplicity, and above all - authenticity.
These realities tell us the ultimate truth - nothing lasts forever, nothing is fully complete and nothing is perfect.
You see, wabi sabi is not about the relentless pursuit of perfection, which modern age has bestowed on us, but more about taking pause and accepting that nothing is and never will be perfect, so we might as well enjoy life the way it is, rather than what we think it should be.
Wabi sabi philosophy and its principles represent a search beyond materialism, and opt for minimalism as a conscious choice.
Origins and roots in Japanese tea ceremony
When you have something very old and very used, such as a teacup that is chipped from all the use over the years, the principles of wabi sabi concepts don’t promote altering it or throwing it away, but rather highlighting its flaws. In recent years, wabi sabi has become increasingly popular on social media, verging on becoming a victim of its own success!
Why?
Well, tiny or more visible cracks remind us that nothing is permanent and perfect, and this is when we reach for wabi sabi and apply it in creativity. A great example of such an application is the art of kintsugi - where cracks on pottery (or your chipped tea cup) are filled with gold lacquer that emphasizes its faults and damage.
Now, this doesn’t mean that wabi sabi is against change and introducing something new into your life, but rather that it appreciates the beauty of age and wants to draw attention to it as a part of something beautiful - a process that none of us are immune to.
Wabi sabi interior design brings us back to nature
The fundamental principle of wabi sabi interior design is connection to earth and natural materials, but with an accent to authenticity. Incorporating wabi sabi into your home décor means opting for something original, rather than something mass produced.
If you think that wabi sabi interior might be something you’d be interested in, try shopping in flea markets, craft shows and independent furniture shops that can be great alternatives in your search for authentic pieces.
Apart from seeking authenticity, wabi sabi interior praises nature as the most imperfect phenomena of the physical world. Nature is an ultimate reminder of passing age and change that comes with it, and a witness that beauty morphs with it, but never fades.
In order to introduce more natural elements, wabi sabi focuses on raw textures, earthy hues and organic, natural materials.
Colour-wise, wabi sabi interior design centers on soft blues, greens, and shades of taupe and grey in order to create an atmosphere of serenity, while plants such as bamboo and rattan are helping to align other wood textures and colours with authentic natural elements.
Mixed interior made to de-stress us and reconnect with nature
Wabi sabi home is always comprised of the things you love, and everything you bring to your home should be a reflection of that feeling.
This concept doesn’t attend to your style, trends you follow or think you should, or anything that might belong to some kind of fashion - this concept settles around the choices that come from the heart, with the sole purpose of bringing you joy.
In that sense, you have all the freedom when it comes to wabi sabi interior design - you can choose a decor that you’re personally drawn to, whatever style it belongs to, you can be quirky as much as you want and you can mix and match as much as you want.
Don't be afraid to repurpose
As we already mentioned to, wabi sabi concept is all about the sustainable approach to home decor, and embracing imperfection through it.
When buying items, always consider buying the ones that will last, even of that means you'll spend a little more than intended, but when that piece comes out of date, invest all your creativity in an effort to ensure they remain useful and loved.
Wabi sabi design is not about replacing items that have naturally grown out of their purpose, but rather giving them a new one relying on your creativity and imagination.
Wabi sabi interior and its' biophilic installment
When it comes to application or mixed approach of wabi sabi interior design together with biophilic design, we believe it is a match made in heaven.
Thanks to having natural elements and proneness to nature in general, wabi sabi is an ideal suplement to biophilic interior. While biophilic design focuses on introducing natural elements to home decor, elements such as natural lighting, forest aromatherapy, abundant plants, purified indoor air while respecting all the biophilic core principles, the wabi sabi interior design can complement a decor partially or fully, depending on which part of the concept you want to rely on.
Biofilco particularly enjoys creating wabi sabi kitchens for healthy and green homes, so you can always introduce wabi sabi style and furnishings into your kitchen and here is how you can do that.
Wabi sabi kitchens in a biophilic green home
Wabi sabi interior might be the most popular when it comes to kitchens, mainly because it is the center of disarray in our homes - there is always something going on, always something to cook, something to clean or break.
This is why we believe wabi sabi design is perfect for kitchens - by selecting materials and finishes that capture all of the imperfections, we celebrate and embrace everyday chaos and the unpredictable life as it should be, and this is how you can revive in your home.
Introduce metal finishes and copper surfaces
Metal finishes such as brass, copper and bronze with an uneven patina have always been pleasing, but in a way that cannot be exactly articulated. If you want to achieve that “warn out over time look”, you can also purchase special kits that can give your metal hardware that exact look.
Opt for rustic textures with a satin finish
We said in the beginning that “wabi” translates as “rustic simplicity”, so it is no wonder that rustic textures are a decor element you should start looking for if you want a wabi sabi interior looking kitchen.
Mostly this refers to natural stone and pine wood with all its' faults in locked texture, timber with all the knots and burls, wooden flooring or furniture with all the imperfection frozen in texture.
And why satin finish?
Mainly because these natural textures of wood look the best when the light hits them just right, with a satin finish that looks like it's lit from within.
Charming worn out paint
Distressed glaze of an uneven paint finish is something that industrial interior design is famous for, but it has found its' place in traditional home or, in this case, kitchen decor.
Kitchen cabinets or table with paint work that has faded along the edges is something that adds additional charm to a wabi sabi kitchen, reviving it and invoking movement.
Open shelving and relaxed kitchen accessories
Open storage and shelving are a perfect fit with wabi sabi interior concept, with a devotion to realness and imperfection one's kitchen should be.
With open shelving solution, come rumpled accessories such as natural linens, tableware, unevenly glazed pottery with slightly imperfect shape, such as already mentioned Japanese handmade kintsugi pottery, topped with wildflower bouquets - give a wabi sabi kitchen a unique, relaxed experience - a feeling that is so much more endearing and warm than a sterile white kitchen.
Wabi sabi interior - rough and assymethric, ergo - imprerfect
The wabi sabi imperfect concept is celebrating flawed, incomplete beauty, so much opposite of our constant need for achieving perfection. Wabi sabi reminds us to slow down, appreciate natural beauty, and find joy in simplicity and the simple things in life.
Wabi sabi represents an escape from potentially stressful situations or surroundings where we strive to achieve the unachievable, to find perfection where there is none, to follow the impossible timelines at a frantic pace - wabi sabi interior design might be just what we need in order to destress and find balance again.
This calm and minimal environment it creates with decor that forgives slight imperfections and embraces naturalistic style, an atmosphere that is warm and inviting, but never tiring or strenuous, is something you can also find within our services of home interior decor, along with other core elements of biophilic design.
Further Reading
Biophilic Design And Wellbeing Interiors- An Evolutionary Perspective
What Is Wellness Design In A Healthy Buildings And Wellbeing Interior Strategy
Benefits Of Combining Biophilia And Fitness (A.K.A “Green Exercise”)
Wellbeing Interior Design And Biophilia At Can Ikigai, Barcelona
Best Examples Of Organic Biophilic Design In Restaurants Cafes
an introduction to biophilic design in sustainable buildings
Biophilic Design: A Small Guide to Succulent Wall Design and Decoration — Wellness Design Consultants
If you’ve also fallen in love with succulents due to their uniqueness and versatility, and want to make them part of your living space, let us show you how you can do that.
Succulent plants have become an ever more popular way to decorate a space - whether it’s an indoor or an outdoor one. Apart from being pleasant to look at, this kind of decor can bring much-needed freshness and natural elements to a room, or to any kind of home decor in general, creating harmony within the built environment.
Succulent plants can be displayed in more than one way, and very unusual for that matter, but probably the most popular and eye-pleasing is the succulent wall garden - a kind of vertical garden that can be hanged to the wall.
While succulents can be planted in individual pots and hanged to the wall, they can also be planted in a wall planter that can be large as the wall itself, or smaller, depending on what wall area you want to decorate proportionately to the room. Either way, succulents are very versatile and look especially stunning when planter vertically, due to their atypical looks.
If you’ve also fallen in love with these unique plants and want to make them part of your living space, let us show you how you can do that.
Vertical succulent wall planter and why it makes a stunning decoration using biophilic design principles
Do you know what succulents are?
Succulent plants are small thick-leaved plants that store water, while the word “succulent” is derived from the Latin word “sucus” and means juice or sap. All succulents have thick and fleshy leaves which allows them to store water during the long period of drought.
But, how they’ve gotten so popular as houseplants?
Well, mainly because they are very tough, and once they soak up all the water, they can use it stored for a very long time, and therefore, require minimal maintenance. After all, these plants are desert residents, not to mention they can be found living on the cliff edges, cracks or rock cavities.
Additionally, incorporating succulents into your home decor can provide various health benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced stress levels. This aligns with the principles of biophilic design, which emphasizes the positive impact of nature on human health, including reduced stress, improved cognitive function, and overall well-being.
However, you should always bare in mind that succulents do not like to stay in the soaking wet soil, because it can trigger rotting, which is why you should always keep it moist or dry.
Plants we recommend for your succulent wall design
Before we get into the specifics and show you step by step how to create your own vertical succulent wall, let us dive into the issue of picking out the right succulents for the occasion.
Succulent plants are very versatile, and therefore, allow you to be creative in creation of your own succulent wall, but you need to make note and pick out the plants that are smaller and rosette like, so they do not protrude out of your display.
Various shapes, sizes, and colours of succulent plants, with their unique natural shapes, make a great foundation for creating a more versatile look for your succulent wall garden. Incorporating these natural features not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also brings benefits such as improved well-being and reduced stress. Here are the most flexible ones:
Graptoveria Blue Pearl
Blue Giant succulent
Chocolate Soldier succulent
Moon Silver succulent
Golden Glow succulent
Arrangement of succulents? - Entirely up to you.
A lot of these succulents combine really well in a succulent wall garden, but either way, be mindful of the type of planter you’re using for this purpose, as well as interior decor in general.
Also, apart from visual impression, you can always combine the succulents that belong to the same genus, and create a homogeneous form, or you can do, and fuse succulents of completely different disposition. Clustered succulents can also be aligned according to their colour and fading nuances.
Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Vertical succulent wall planter and why it makes a stunning decoration using biophilic design principles
Do you know what succulents are?
Succulent plants are small thick-leaved plants that store water, while the word “succulent” is derived from the Latin word “sucus” and means juice or sap. All succulents have thick and fleshy leaves which allows them to store water during the long period of drought.
But, how they’ve gotten so popular as houseplants?
Well, mainly because they are very tough, and once they soak up all the water, they can use it stored for a very long time, and therefore, require minimal maintenance. After all, these plants are desert residents, not to mention they can be found living on the cliff edges, cracks or rock cavities.
Additionally, incorporating succulents into your home decor can provide various health benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced stress levels. This aligns with the principles of biophilic design, which emphasizes the positive impact of nature on human health, including reduced stress, improved cognitive function, and overall well-being.
However, you should always bare in mind that succulents do not like to stay in the soaking wet soil, because it can trigger rotting, which is why you should always keep it moist or dry.
Plants we recommend for your succulent wall design
Before we get into the specifics and show you step by step how to create your own vertical succulent wall, let us dive into the issue of picking out the right succulents for the occasion.
Succulent plants are very versatile, and therefore, allow you to be creative in creation of your own succulent wall, but you need to make note and pick out the plants that are smaller and rosette like, so they do not protrude out of your display.
Various shapes, sizes, and colours of succulent plants, with their unique natural shapes, make a great foundation for creating a more versatile look for your succulent wall garden. Incorporating these natural features not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also brings benefits such as improved well-being and reduced stress. Here are the most flexible ones:
Graptoveria Blue Pearl
Blue Giant succulent
Chocolate Soldier succulent
Moon Silver succulent
Golden Glow succulent
Arrangement of succulents? - Entirely up to you.
A lot of these succulents combine really well in a succulent wall garden, but either way, be mindful of the type of planter you’re using for this purpose, as well as interior decor in general.
Also, apart from visual impression, you can always combine the succulents that belong to the same genus, and create a homogeneous form, or you can do, and fuse succulents of completely different disposition. Clustered succulents can also be aligned according to their colour and fading nuances.
Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Vertical succulent wall garden - succulent wall design step by step
Before we present you with the guide of creating your own succulent wall garden, let’s make note of the materials you are going to need first. By following these steps, you can create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional and restorative. Incorporating elements that mimic natural environments is crucial in biophilic design to enhance the health and wellbeing of occupants and to optimize sustainability.
Succulent wall garden decoration natural materials
Succulents (obviously) - Pick out your favorites with greenery and stems. The number you should approximately prepare is around 35-40 for the 11x14 frame.
Shadow box frame - This box should be deep enough so you can add soil and plant your succulents. As for size, carefully determine where exactly you want to hang your vertical succulent garden, a therefore decide how big of a box you need.
Plastic for landscaping - Used to protect your shadow box from the soil and to prevent any water draining from the frame.
Glue gun
Moss - Used for filling the shadow box and keeping the succulents fresh.
Wire mesh - You’ll need it to fix the soil in place.
Staple gun - For securing the wire mesh onto the shadow box.
Scissors
Natural materials - Consider using eco-friendly options like reclaimed wood for the shadow box frame.
Natural lighting - Essential for the health of the succulents, promoting a sustainable and healthy indoor environment.
Now, let’s cut to the chase and start making the succulent wall!
Step 1 - Layer the shadow box with landscaping plastic
Once you've chosen you're shadow box in the right size, first you'll have to layer it with landscaping plastic. Cut enough plastic so it extends outside of the box, place it in the box and then secure the edges with the glue gun. Once you've done that, use the scissor to cut the excess.
Step 2 - Add moss
Fill the box entirely with sphagnum moss, and evenly spread it. The moss has a superb ability to retain water, which will provide your succulents with just the right amount of moist they need.
Step 3 - Use the wire mesh to create the frame
Cut the wire mesh first, and then layer onto the frame of the box. Check if t fits properly and then extend it towards the edges. In the end, secure it with the staple gun along the edges.
Step 4 - prune the roots of your succulents before repotting
The succulents you've chosen need to be pruned before repotting, in order to ensure growth and prosper of your succulent garden wall. Use your hands to release them from the soil, and then carefully prune them.
Step 6 - Hang your succulent wall garden in natural light and admire your handy work!
Once you’ve pruned the plants, and before pressing them into the moss, use your fingertips to make room first. Place them into proper position and then press them into the moss. By carefully placing each plant, you can create a natural environment that mimics their native habitats, emphasizing the importance of natural landscapes in biophilic design. You’ll do this with every plant, repeating it until you’ve achieved the look you want. Always stand back and check whether you’re content with the result, and arrange them differently if necessary.
Step 6 - Hang your succulent wall garden and admire your handy work!
Before you hang your newly made succulent wall garden on the wall, make sure all the plants are safely rooted, which should approximately take between four and twelve weeks.
When choosing the perfect spot to hang your garden, ensure it has moderate to bright natural light, and don’t worry if it gets warm - succulents are desert plants after all.
Last but not least - how to nurture your succulent wall garden for health benefits?
Succulent wall gardens require more or less the same amount of nurture, but you still have to know how to do it properly.
Apart from providing them with just the right amount of sunlight, mind your watering because you don’t want to soak up your brand new succulent wall, which is easy to do since you don’t have drainage holes either way. You can always check the wetness of soil with a wooden stick, and see if you’ve, by any chance, overdone it.
Water your succulent wall once a month, and you’ll do it by laying it flat first, and then thoroughly moistening the soil. Keep the “wall” down for an hour or so after that and make sure the frame is dry, before you hang it back again.
The moss will also require some nourishing, so you can mist it once a week freely.
Succulent wall garden not only is a dramatic display of stunning (and much needed) greenery, but also is a new design element that is getting extremely popular in all sorts of living and working environments - like indoor landscaping, not to mention recreational - like gym design. Introducing such elements can significantly improve mental health by reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.
All in all, succulent wall garden represents a nice start to introducing natural interior design elements into your home, or you someone else’s, if you’re a little DIY project. Caring for your succulent wall garden can also foster a deeper human connection with nature, promoting relaxation and well-being.
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
Hero corporate offices
We acted as biophilic design consultants for Swiss organic food conglomerate Hero’s office interior refresh.
we were the Biophilic design consultants for the refurbishment of natural food group Hero’s 5-floor headquarters in switzerland
Biophilic design consultant
This is a video we made post-completion with our client Bill Parker, then VP of HR & Corporate Comms, now Chief People Officer for HERO. Bill was intimately involved in our workplace wellbeing and biophilic design consultancy role, maintaining the focus on tangible outputs for staff in terms of their productivity and all-round satisfaction with the offices in Lenzburg.
Biophilic design consultants - HERO offices
Our explanatory video about the biophilic design consultancy role we played in this project, and in particular in terms of the biophilia we introduced in the shape of an indoor garden and extensive planting through the five-floor building. These plants have been lovingly maintained by the brilliant team at Creaplant, the local landscape firm that we engaged, briefed and then ultimately handed responsibility to for the ongoing office plant care.
Biophilic office indoor garden
Indoor garden concept for ground floor reception area. In collaboration with the interior design team, we contributed biophilic design concepts to the project such as this indoor garden as well as a plan plan for each floor and plant species selection duties, with input from the local supplier to ensure our choices were as practical as possible to maintain in the long-term.
Biophilic office flooring
We sourced and specified the biophilic design flooring tiles for the office boardroom, integrating with the brand’s blue colour and defining a lighter colour tile around the boardroom table, surrounded by a darker tile, blending the two in a deliberately organic pattern. These flooring tiles are made of upcycled fabrics and the supplier Interface commits to take the tiles back at their end of use, for further recycling as part of their circular economy initiative.
Biophilic office reception moss wall
We designed the main reception desk’s biophilic moss backdrop, creating a deliberately irregular pattern for a botanic blend of green moss micro-panels. Working closely with the fit-out contractor, we provided detailed layout instructions for their team to follow, integrating the corporate brand logo to the centre of the panel as well.
Biophilic office recharge room
We created the concept design for this biophilic recharge room, also known as an eco-friendly ‘quiet room’ for staff to relax in, do some focused work, read a book or take a quick nap without fear of being disturbed. This is a ‘shoes off’ zone in order to make the most of the thick-pile recycled grass-effect carpet tiles. There is also an aromatherapy diffuser, wellness lighting, a Dyson air purifier / fan and a music speaker for calming nature sounds.
Biophilic office acoustic booths
Acoustic phone booths in soft, natural tones for employee comfort and privacy, an essential feature in open-plan offices. We sourced and tested these booths prior to procurement, liaising closely with the HERO team and the interior designers to ensure they integrated smoothly into the floor plan and, most importantly, delivered on the practical concerns around privacy and acoustics in the HR department.
Biophilic office outdoor workspace
Outdoor workspace concept to repurpose a neglected concrete seating area, adding a heavy dose of nature through planting, natural wood furniture and a small water feature to block out at least some of the noise from an adjacent road. This areas was also envisaged as a staff dining / meeting area.
Biophilic office facade concept
Greening of building’s exterior facade adding a biophilic design feature that leveraged the existing architectural features, the repeating pattern of round portico’s into which we imagined attaching planter boxes. A bamboo ‘privacy wall’ on the ground floor outside of the boardroom was also imagined as a way to create a narrow outdoor corridor for 1-on-1 meetings, or as a smoking area during workshops.
Biophilic office WC concept
Biophilic office bathroom concept using a nature mural of the Swiss Alps, creating a sense of place and a moment of surprise for visitors to the ground floor meeting rooms - this WC was unique, no others like it were created on the upper floors. We sourced upcycled wood panels for the walls and acoustic moss panels for the ceiling to integrate sustainability features in the design as well.
Biophilic office plant plan
For the ground floor of this biophilic office we created a detailed plant plan with locations, species names, quantities and approximate sizes. We designed some planter boxes to house the plants and collaborated with the appointed interior design firm as well as a local plant supply company on integrating these plants into the project and ensuring they live long, happy and healthy lives.
download our free e-book on the benefits of biophilic design in offices to learn more!
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
Blue Room sports bar design
a nature-themed sports, music and entertainment bar in a converted warehouse
The Blue Room, Porto Montenegro is a music venue and sports bar designed with a biophilic, nature-inspired style. It combines a local cafe with an . ongoing calendar of sports, cultural and lifestyle events.
Blue Room porto montenegro - concept development
This project was a warehouse conversion, giving us high ceilings and plenty of space to work with. The concept is a sports, music and entertainment venue within a marina village in Montenegro, making this a unique hospitality experience.
blue room bar - the brief
Our brief was to create a fun, fresh and informal venue that would appeal to a young, trendy audience. Our role involved complete creative concept development right from the start, literally working with an empty box to start with, and eventually delivering the Blue Room sports bar concept.
our role in creating blue room bar, porto montenegro
When creating the . biophilic design interiors for the Blue Room Porto Montenegro, first we designed the space plan, branding and initial 3D visualizations for the bar area, sports / games room, table tennis zone, dance floor an outside terrace.
biophilic interior design of blue room, porto montenegro
When creating the biophilic interior design of Blue Room Porto Montenegro, we brought the outside in with a ring of air-purifying plants around the top of the bar structure matched with a palm leaf print wallpaper on the back-bar and green-white stripes on the front of the bar for a cohesive colour palette. We also matched that with the furniture, procured from one of our specialist suppliers.
Blue room sports bar concept
In order for the Blue Room Porto Montenegro to have a tangible sports bar atmosphere, we sourced premium table football and table tennis set-ups for the new venue and off-set them against a row of tall palm leaf trees in a bright colour palette of terracotta, blue and green to match the selection of bar stools.
outdoor terrace
The external terrace involved indigenous landscaping, outdoor rugs, ar furniture, sofas and sun loungers to create a seamless transition from the interior dance floor and bar. Benefitting from a memorable sunset view over the adjacent sports field and beyond to the bay, this quickly became a Friday night hotspot in season.
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.