Biophilic Design and its role in protecting our people

Ambius Indoor Plants E-Book

Biophilic Design and its role in protecting our people

Contents

Part One: The Biophilia Phenomenon

Part Two: The problems we face, that Biophilic Design can solve

Part Three: The power of Biophilic Design How it improves staff productivity and wellbeing

Part Four: Biophilic Design in practice

Part Five: Conclusion and Contact Ambius

Ambius Schiavello Wall

Part One: The Biophilia Phenomenon

Part One: The Biophilia Phenomenon

”Biophilia” is a phenomenon taking the world by storm. Edward O. Wilson popularised this term in his book, Biophilia (1984). He refers to it as:

“The innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms.”

Namely, nature. Think of some of your favourite holiday destinations – do they include plenty of greenery, and other elements of nature? Yes! Biophilia helps explain why things such as greenery, water views and natural light captivate us. This e-book will explore the power of Biophilic Design, in terms of how it is vital to driving staff productivity and wellbeing.

Part One: The Biophilia Phenomenon

There is greater awareness and recognition towards incorporating nature into design. So, Biophilic Design is more than merely reducing a building’s carbon emissions. It’s people focused.

Healthy buildings lead to healthy people, so we must ask ourselves if our buildings protect our people. Sustainable buildings satisfy the “triple bottom line”, originating from a better quality of life for our people:

People

Planet

Global Economics

Do our indoor environments enable productivity, and more importantly,

wellbeing?

Ambius BiOrb Terrarium

Part One: The Biophilia Phenomenon

“… the enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it, tranquilises it and yet enlivens it; and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body, gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigorating the whole system.” Frederick Law Olmsted, 1865 The Introduction to Yosemite and the Mariposa Grove: A Preliminary Report

Part One: The Biophilia Phenomenon

Biophilic Design expert Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of the International Living Future Institute, said the first step to try connecting with nature is ‘why don’t we just go outside?’ However, life is so fast-paced and busy, that we often forget about spending time outside. Also, our cities often disconnect us from nature. So, Sturgeon says the second step is, “We’ll just bring some trees inside. What could we learn from what makes us love being outside and incorporate it into the design of our buildings?’” As you may have seen before, Amazon's new office in Seattle features three glass-and-steel domes, dubbed the “Spheres”. They contain more than 40,000 plants, and other incredible features that resemble a rainforest! Catch the video here!

So, what’s driven this shift in thinking?

Ambius Schiavello Towers

Part Two: The Problem We Face

Part Two: The Story We Are Reading…

In Australia, 80% of us live in urban areas, and spend on average less than one hour a day outdoors. Our indoor

environments could be: That is significant, and quite scary at the same time. Not focusing adequately on the quality of an indoor environment can have significant repercussions. Wellbeing, productivity and business performance suffers.

Workplace stress, poor design and unhealthy indoor environments contribute significantly

2-10 times more polluted than outdoors

A single absent worker costs a business

$340 a day

92 million working days per year are lost in Australia

$33 billion loss

Illness/injury is the most prominent cause of absenteeism

Part Two: The Story We Are Reading…

90% of organisational costs are spent on people. Less than 10% relate to operational/premises costs.

People are the heart and soul of business, which requires extra thought about how an indoor space is more than just a physical space, but rather an asset that can drive strong business performance.

The Open Plan Office Conundrum:

Open plan offices sounded great in theory – employee collaboration, enhanced working relationships, no barriers to communication and increased productivity. Company bottom lines were set to soar. However, plenty of research has been conducted on the impacts of open plan offices, resulting in mostly negative outcomes.

Too noisy and distracting – World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) reports a 66% fall in staff performance.

Adverse effect on wellbeing.

Reduced face-to-face interaction, with increase in email messaging instead.

Part Two: The Story We Are Reading…

Kenneth Freeman, Head of Innovation at Ambius, says:

Ambius Puro 20 and 50

“ Human beings have an inherent need to connect with nature and green space. With workers spending so much time indoors, office managers need to be more aware of the impact the workplace has on wellbeing. Bringing elements of nature into the workplace or enabling them to personalise their workstations has positive effects on performance, including increases in productivity, creativity, and a greater sense of wellbeing.

” This E-Book will explore the

amazing figures!

Of course, we don’t all have the budget of Amazon, so is it still possible to enhance staff wellbeing and productivity through Biophilic Design?

Absolutely!

Part Three: Power of Biophilic Design

Exploring the incredible impact on people!

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

Ambius Sky Planters

So, we are facing problems, but there are solutions. Biophilic Design shows that a company has its employees at heart. It is a people focused exercise. Biophilic Design, the act of incorporating nature into design, incorporates features such as:

Indoor Plants

Views of Nature

Use of Natural Materials

Non-visual Stimuli

Water Features

Natural Light

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

According to the University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) “Indoor Plants Work” Study, indoor plants have an incredible impact on people. As little as 3-6 indoor plants can reduce the level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to below 100 parts per billion (ppb). The Australian recommended maximum is 500 ppb.

Design can empower our people to do great things!

Research shows that a 1% reduction in dissatisfaction with Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can

lead to a 10% increase in productivity…

… And even as high as 15% as reported by an

Exeter University study. Also, in a recent study with a leading financial institution in Sydney, Ambius found that the introduction of indoor plants brought about a

15% increase in employee satisfaction with

workplace aesthetics!

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

Ambius Schiavello Towers

Also, indoor plants have a profound impact on staff wellbeing.

International research shows that indoor plants reduce:

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

Green Walls enable beautiful views of nature indoors, and are proven to harness the power of nature to:

Reduce indoor air pollution

Provide a peaceful aesthetic

Improve attitudes and performance of staff

Green Walls are proven to reduce Carbon Dioxide by

23 per cent.

Noise can be a problem in offices. Green Walls act as

insulation between spaces, reducing noise.

Green Walls help to actively cool the air, providing

employees with a comfortable working environment.

Green Walls

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

Natural light, along with greenery makes for happier and more alert staff. The World Green Building Council’s (WGBC) eight key criteria for a healthy office states that workers with windows close by get 46 minutes extra sleep than those who don’t. Natural light, along with views of nature, help decrease blood pressure and heart rate. The benefits of natural light don’t end there. Workers with greenery and daylight were found to be 15% more creative. With natural light also improving moods, reducing stress and positively impacting circadian system functioning, workplaces saw anywhere between a 3 – 40% gain in productivity and sales… … in addition to a -6.5% variance in sick leave in a workplace study!

Natural Light

Plants need light to photosynthesize, so both your

staff and plants benefit!

A good symbiotic relationship!

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

Natural Materials

Healthy offices also include beautiful colours, textures and natural materials that evoke nature. Visual appeal is a key factor in workplace satisfaction. An office that is welcoming and calming is important in helping staff focus and work better. Ambius

LivePicture & Blush Drops

Nature is inspiring 2019 Colour Trends, which is an addition to greenery and natural light in indoor environments. Natural materials such as wood can boost productivity and reduce unplanned leave. A major shift away from “cold and corporate” offices, which encourages creativity!

Part Three: The Power of Biophilic Design

Thermal Comfort

Healthy offices have a comfortable temperature range for staff. WorldGBC reports: Staff performance falls :

- 6% when offices are too hot

- 4% when too cold.

A 101% increase in cognitive scores for staff in a

green, well-ventilated office.

Green Walls and Natural Materials are two fantastic ways to create comfortable

working environments for staff.

Ambius Built-in Green Wall

Part Four: Biophilic Design in practice

Case Studies

Part Four: Biophilic Design in Practice

“Getting live plants was a step outside the norm for us in terms of office décor, but we are really happy with the results. We feel it’s a more natural environment now and the colour against the views of cityscape is ever-changing and beautiful.” Gillian Dollard, Office Manager/Executive Shine Solutions

Shine Solutions is a software development company, delivering digital solutions to some of Australia’s leading enterprises. The team moved into their current office in 2015, and needed to finish the décor. All along, the team had been thinking about artwork to help execute the final look and feel of their space. With the Ambius LivePicture, Shine Solutions were able to combine art and nature, which enables staff to enjoy the aesthetics that come with beautiful artwork, as well as the benefits that plants provide, such as improved air quality and connecting with nature indoors.

Ambius LivePictures

Part Four: Biophilic Design in Practice

The LivePictures have had a profound impact. The team really love the live plants and enjoy positive comments from clients. Shine Solutions have incorporated artwork into their space, in combination with beautiful and inviting greenery. Initially, they had four LivePictures in their Melbourne CBD office. Shine Solutions have now increased the number of LivePictures to six because of the positive impact of Biophilia on staff morale.

Part Four: Biophilic Design in Practice

The movement towards Biophilic Design has shaped many fantastic projects in Australia:

Woods Bagot, a global architectural & consulting practice founded in Australia, incorporated Biophilia in their Melbourne office.

The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC), based at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, was created to inspire the green building movement in Australia.

AGL Australia’s workplace in Melbourne is characterised by use of natural materials, beautiful colour palette and extensive plantings to help relieve stress and improve air quality.

The International Towers in Sydney have a Platinum WELL Building Rating. The buildings were designed with the health and wellbeing of employees as the main goal.

Ambius Schiavello Wall (200mm pots)

Part Four: Biophilic Design in Practice

Ambius is a core partner in the world’s first Biophilic Design research project.

Will be run across 30 months, in partnership with Building Research Establishment (BRE).

The research aims to deliver strong evidence on how empowering workspaces for employees can deliver Return on Investment (ROI).

Based on a 650m2 1980s office building on the BRE campus in Watford, UK, this building will be refurbished based on biophilic design principles.

These principles include natural light, indoor air quality, acoustic, and thermal and humidity comfort.

Office occupants will be equipped with wearable technology to track health and wellbeing metrics, and gain insight into the impact of Biophilic Design.

Ambius Schiavello Wall

Find out more about the project here!

Thank you for downloading Ambius’ guide to Biophilic Design!

There is a greater shift towards incorporating nature in offices. The benefits of Biophilic Design on staff health, wellbeing and productivity are staggering!

Projects such as Amazon and the various efforts in Australia showcase the increased awareness of the benefits of connecting people with nature.

Applying these principles (i.e. green wall vs. free standing planters) is best done at the very beginning of a project or refurbishment. However, elements such as indoor plants can be added into an existing space and improve it significantly.

With Biophilic Design, it takes careful planning. However, it is worth the time and effort.

So, if you would like more information or a keen to incorporate biophilia in your office or design projects, reach out today!

Contact Ambius Indoor Plants today!

1300AMBIUSwww.ambiusindoorplants.com.au