According to www.Britannica.com Biophilia Hypothesis is the idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. Just considering images of natural beauty can lend weight to this theory which has been studied in depth since the term was initially coined in 1973 by German born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm.
If humans are drawn to nature, then it would seem sensible to consider using plants in the workplace to augment the positive effects that they can have on people. If a person spends 8 hours a day for 5 days a week at work then their environment needs to be conducive to productivity, emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing.
This article looks at 5 key areas in which the inclusion of plants in the workplace would be a positive choice:
AESTHETIC QUALITY
As mentioned in the introduction to this article, the sight of plants is deemed visually pleasing as per the theory of biophilic hypothesis. On an even more basic ’interior design’ level, having a well thought out office design with nice looking seating, tables and décor will give an immediate feeling of wellbeing when entered as opposed to a drab and sparsely decorated room.
AIR PURIFICATION
Plants have been studied and proven to improve the quality of the air that we breathe. In an enclosed space like an office this could be considered even more important. The following article considers the benefits of plants in hospitals (LINK) and outlines how plants improve health through air quality
- Plants purify the air of toxins like mould and
bacteria
- Plants reduce Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) ill ness derived from spending long periods of time in the same room/ office.
- Research as cited by CIPHR has shown
the following health benefits of plants:
- Can reduce tension and anxiety by up to 37%
- 58% drop in depression or dejection
- 44% decrease in anger and hostility
- 38% reduction in fatigue
IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY
As a result of overall wellbeing both emotionally and physically, it has been reported (LINK) that productivity in the workplace can be boosted by up to 15%. This is through studies conducted by Cardiff, Exeter, Queensland and Groningen Universities. Every business thrives on effective productivity and therefore the cost of including plants in the workplace can only be seen as a worthwhile investment.
IMPROVED CREATIVITY
For any business or work place that requires a creative work force (for example, graphic design, website design, video production, photography, creative writing etc) plants could be a useful inclusion to the working environment. According to a study by Texas A&M University, plants can increase creativity by 15% or more in the workplace.
OFFICE REDESIGNS AND RENOVATIONS
When we consider the evidence given in this article, it seems obvious that if you are considering redesigning, relocating or renovating your workplace, then you should consider including a good cross selection of plants in your interior plan.
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