AND OPEN SPACES WHETHER IN THE OFFICE OR HOME, IMPROVES SELF-ESTEEM, CREATIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT ON DAY-TO-DAY TASKS.
HOW ‘BIOPHILIA’ CAN HELP US THRIVE
BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN
NATURAL LIGHT, GREENERY,
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lthough people adopted the idea of plant ownership (for decoration rather than food) thousands of years ago, only recently has it become a hobby that everyone can participate in. The wealthy Egyptians, Greeks and Romans kept houseplants, and owning decorative plants remained a signifier of wealth through the renaissance and age of reason, as the wellto-do outcompeted each other with increasingly elaborate gardens, orangeries, and greenhouses. It was only in the Victorian era, with developments in heating and home design (including more natural light), that the middle and later working classes could get involved. Over the last few years, it’s safe to say that houseplants have become a trend, with multiple hashtags used across Instagram, and whole forums on Facebook and Reddit being devoted to sharing tips on plant care, and images from proud plant owners. The clean-living trend certainly promotes plants as an avenue to wellness, and there is growing evidence that plants can help you to de-stress, heighten productivity, and even help recover from illnesses faster. i
Plants; boost your mood and increase productivity Not only do plants fulfil the need for people to nurture something, but they are able to thrive on much less attention than a pet, or child; important when working long hours! In addition, many people are now in homes without gardens meaning that if they want to experience the wellbeing impact of nature at home, they need to bring the outside in. The same impact can also benefit people at work. With the increase in office working in the 50’s, plants were used more to liven up often sterile working environments. This has continued to be a popular way of brightening up office space, and with new technology and understanding of the impact plants have on wellbeing, it’s something that many companies have been keen to develop.
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In 2014, one of the first studies into the longterm effects of office plants found a clear return on investment as employees were significantly more productive when surrounded by plants. Lead author Marlon Nieuwenhuis said that “simply enriching a previously Spartan space with plants served to increase productivity by 15%. This identifies a pathway to a more enjoyable, more comfortable and a more profitable form of officebased working.” Humans have a natural tendency to affiliate with nature; many studies have found blood pressure reduces when people are in the presence of plants and as a result, they are left feeling less stressed and more energised. There are many low maintenance options for businesses looking to include more biophilic design elements into their office space (see page 30). Julie Anderson of Rap Interiors says “many workspaces love the idea of greenery and let’s face it bringing the outside in is a moodbooster for anyone. But not all offices like the maintenance of watering the plants, so very soon they don’t look great. With biophilic office deign incorporating living walls, you can create amazing
