Chapter 1: Introduction

"The relationship between humans and nature is of interdependency…The outcome...can be made, satisfying, and lastingly made, however, given that every human and nature area unit changed by their association for higher tailored to every different...With our information and sense of responsibility, …we will produce new environments that area unit ecologically sound, aesthetically satisfying, economically rewarding…This method of reciprocal adaptation occurs…through minor changes within the folks and their atmosphere, however, an additional aware method of style can even come about.”

“René Dubos, the courting of the world”

The need to improve health, efficiency and well-being in office spaces has evolved as we spend more time inbuilt offices. Most modern firms are pursuing a concept of 'biophilia' as it affects their position within the sector, but there has recently been a change to concentrating on the advantages that can come from introducing biophilic design the workplace environment. Stress does have a negative effect on the efficiency and well-being of employees as well as on their' performance. According to a Canadian survey of 25,000 full-time employees, 57% reported high-stress levels. Due to stress-related disease, Canadian employees are supposed to lose $20 billion annually. Stress can cause loss of productivity and long-term health problems. Office space costs’ basic metric–rupees per square foot. But in a given design, metrics appear to be unreliable and difficult for gauging employee performance. As per the report by World Green Building Council, Fitness, Wellbeing & Productivity in Office spaces, employee wages and benefits account for 90% of typical office expenditures. Space rental (9%) and energy costs (1%) are far behind employee costs. A working environment in the office that boosts productivity can harness a huge rate of return. An emerging body of evidence shows exposure to nature and nature-based characteristics can provide a solution to occupational stress reduction. This research brings together a comprehensive set of neuroscience-based information, environmental psychology, green building rating systems applications, and design practice to identify strategies that would provide practitioners with a cost-effective and straightforward way to integrate nature-based features into workplace design to improve well-being and reduce stress.

1.1 Need to study

Studies show that the stress of work can negatively impact the efficiency and productivity of the employees. In order to counter these problems, the companies are investing huge amounts of money to provide its employees with a suitable environment needed. The infrastructure of the office plays a significant role in this pursuit. This poses a demanding challenge for the architects to design a workplace that does not help increase the productivity of the employee but also ensure comfort and mental stability. Therefore, this study helps to determine which design strategies can be incorporated into workplaces to help eliminate stress, increase productivity and improve the well-being of the employees.

1.2 Aim

To use biophilic design strategies to improve productivity and reduce the stress of occupants in workplaces.

1.3 Objective

• The objective of this study is to find out the effect of biophilic design strategies on office occupants. • To study the amount of daylight and greenery required in order to increase the efficiency of the workers. • To study the indoor environment quality and standards defined by various building standards.

1.4 Research methodology

The study is divided into three main parts: • current theory and analysis, the office work environment, building standards and biophilic development • post-occupancy survey of an office building • design techniques for architects to incorporate biophilic design principles into experience workers ' workspace architecture.

Part 1 includes a reference of nature-based features to reduce stress in employees at workplaces. Starting with the nature of stress and its impact on workers, the dissertation traces the history of biophilia in relation to health enhancement and stress reduction and presents research literature on workplace use of biophilia. Specific applications and examples of interior design strategies are identified.

Part 2 includes analysis from the BUS survey conducted

Part 3 incorporates analysis into action and discusses case studies (Chapter 3 and 4) as well as suggested approaches to include nature-based elements in workplaces for employees. (Chapter 5).

1.5 Limitation

• The study is limited to the factors which affect the occupant’s productivity in an office environment through biophilic design strategies to help improve the efficiency of the workers. • The study criteria have been limited to the only direct and indirect experience of nature in biophilic design.

1.6 Scope

The study is conducted to improve the productivity of people in office space by introducing biophilic design strategies. The aspects considered are the indoor environment quality, daylight, thermal comfort, and the effect of biophilic elements on occupants.