Many would agree to the fact that the pandemic has caused a generational shift in the working style of today’s corporates and employees. What would have taken probably 10 years, happened with a few months of lockdowns. The work culture has clearly changed in the post-COVID era and remote working is here to stay. With the recent fall in the demand for traditional office space setups, companies can now save costs by moving towards more flexible workspaces.
This offers a unique opportunity for employers to rethink their office space model and create something that is both creative and productive. And that’s where biophilic workplaces come into the picture. Now, you must be wondering what is a biophilic design. Don’t worry, in this article, we will give a comprehensive view of this new phenomenon which will change the future of workplaces in India.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is a concept that incorporates natural elements like plants, natural light, and ventilation into the office space environment to enhance employees’ connectivity with nature. This can be achieved by utilizing direct or indirect experiences of nature. Direct experiences refer to the tangible contact of employees with natural features while the representations of nature, like murals, natural materials, colors, shapes, and paintings can form an indirect experience.
In this post-pandemic era, the mental well-being of employees and their retention rate have become the two most important aspects for employers to think about. Presently, the level of social interaction among employees at the workplace has reduced significantly as compared to the pre-pandemic period which can increase anxiety among young professionals and decrease collaboration and networking in the office space. So, how can biophilic design help in such a situation?
Benefits Of Biophilic Workplaces
Being surrounded by biophilic elements can reduce stress, lower blood pressure levels, and even steady the heart rate. It can also result in improving the work performance of employees on a daily basis. By incorporating biophilic design in your workspaces, you can have various benefits in terms of health, well-being, and a positive environment. Here are some of the major benefits of incorporating biophilic elements into your workplace.
- Improved Air Quality: Indoor plants in the workplace can significantly enhance air quality by increasing oxygen levels and decreasing Co2. This can boost energy levels in the office space and employees can focus better on their regular tasks.
- Office Acoustics: Commotion in the office space is one of the most common problems faced by employees as they usually get distracted while working due to these noises. However, it has been proven by a research that indoor plants can provide an acoustic solution by absorbing and softening background noises and dampening reverberations that would normally bounce off of flat surfaces in the workplace.
- Green Boosting Creativity: Green colour usually boosts the productivity and creativity of workers. Using shades of green across the office space can help in inspiring new ideas and keep employees engaged.
- Natural Light Uplifting The Mood: Natural light often gets overlooked when it comes to increasing well-being in an office space. Remember enough natural light available in a building can have a drastic effect on employees. It can help in creating a healthy and happy work environment for people.
As the corporate world is shifting towards a ‘Hybrid’ culture, companies now have to consider their future office needs. Rethinking the workspace and incorporating biophilic design can create a major impact on the employees and thereby overall growth of the business.