Benholm Group, horticulturalists that have pioneered the use of plants for interiors over the past 27 years, are collaborating on a research study to understand the value of biophilic design, according to a news release.
The 8-week research study led by Sustainability Lead and PhD Researcher, Joyce Chan-Schoof, will examine the question of if we can apply a social and economic value to biophilic design.
“We know that a connection with nature is good for us, but what are the tangible co-benefits and how can we communicate these economic outcomes to decision-makers who create our working environments?” the release says. “Can biophilic design add value to the workplace; not only through improving air quality and aesthetics, but can it have a tangible impact on employee productivity, retention, absenteeism, satisfaction, engagements, and up-skilling?”
The plan is to have 6 participants carry out their daily work at a designated workstation in an office space at London based PLP Architecture. During the 8-week study, the environment inside the office will be changed from an average office space into a multi-sensory experience with rich, natural stimuli to the participants such as lush, green, living plantings; access to natural light and outside views; new natural décor, patterns and colors; plus sounds from nature—an immersive, biophilic “wow” space.
Researchers will measure indoor environmental quality data during the testing period, and participants will complete questionnaires after each scenario change.
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As we continue to move toward the city and spend more time indoors, our day-to-day interaction with quality nature is shrinking. One contemporary concept to reverse this effect is biophilic design, a strategic approach to tap into—and harness—nature in the built environment.
