How ‘biophilic’ design can create a better workspace

How ‘biophilic’ design can create a better workspace MaSovaida Morgan If you’re feeling less than enthused about working from home, one design philosophy could make you more productive – and, simply, happier. Alamy The goal should be to trigger physical, emotional and cognitive responses through nature as well as foster a positive connection with your workplace A multisensory experience Sonja Bochart, a leading biophilic design consultant based in Phoenix, in the US state of Arizona, says people often begin and end their outdoor-inspired office design with plants, “but it’s really about waking that multisensory experience you get in nature”. “I also like to advocate for the sense of aroma,” she says, “which you can get by opening a window, lighting a candle or using essential oils.” Look outside the window and think to yourself how you can bring those colours inside – Jana Söderlund One of the more overlooked components of biophilic design, she adds, is relics of nature. “Sure, you can get benefit and value from being outside,” says Bochart, “but the fact is that most of us spend more than 90% of our time indoors, so there is an urgency to bring nature inside and to design with its patterns in mind.” Alamy Because so many of us spend so much time indoors, there's an urgency to bring the outdoors into our spaces in order to boost wellbeing Morgan, the remote worker in Washington, DC, had never heard of biophilic design before she intentionally staged her home office with plants, linen furniture and ample natural light.