BIOPHILIC DESIGN BENEFITS
research shows BIOPHILIC DESIGN can help...
Increase Preference
Reduce
Stress
Many of the psychological benefits can engender an increased preference to the space one is in, increasing overall attitudes, comfort in, and responses to the space (1 from page 9). In settings with a connection to nature, a study of office workers found a 15% increase in perceived well-being (2 from page 9). </spanstyle='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times></p>
Stress has been shown to affect systems such as the digestive, endocrine, immune, nervous, and urinary systems (1 from page 9). Furthermore, a connection to nature has been seen to lower blood pressure and heart rates and show positive circadian system functioning (2 from page 9).
Improve Mental
Performance
Cognitive performance can also be addressed through improved mental attentiveness and cognitive performance, reduced boredom, irritation and fatigue (1 - page 9) . Psychological benefits can include changes in emotion and mood, ranging from an increase in overall happiness, to perceived improvements in mental health. </spanstyle='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times></p>
and that means BENEFITS in...
Productivity
A loss in productivity can be costly to an employer, and the main causes for a decrease in productivity are absenteeism, focus/presentism (mentally engaged in work), negative mood, and poor health. Research has shown a decrease in sick days (1 page 26), shorter recovery from mental fatigue, and greater ability to focus (2 page 26) is achieved through use of biophilic elements. A study conducted in the UK by Niewuwenhuis and Knight compared two groups of office workers. They found the group exposed to natural greenery had a 15% increase in productivity over a three-month period (3 page 26).</spanstyle='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times></p>
Employee
Retention
A well-designed space can be important in bringing in the top talent. In one global study, 33% of office workers said their decision to work at a company would be affected by the office design (1 page 26). This same study showed US workers felt the office environment was a key component to taking a job 27% of the time, a 5% increase from a study conducted by Earle in 2003 (2 page 26).</spanstyle='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times></p>
Health
Access to nature can increase recovery rates. Findings indicate a decrease in the length of stay of hospitalized patients. Not only were recovery rates shortened, but patients with a higher exposure to sunlight took 22% less analgesic medications per hour and there was a decrease in stress for both patients, visitors, and staff (page 26).
Terrapin Bright Green uses Roger Ulrich’s ground-breaking study to show the major effect views and access to daylight could have on healthcare costs (page 26). In Ulrich’s study, he found that patients recovering from surgery who had views of nature, versus those with a view of a brick wall, recovered and then were released on average, 8.5% faster (page 26).
The Economics of Biophilia uses a 2007 statistic to show that access to nature during recovery could offer a possible nationwide savings of $93,324,031 (page 27). These studies serves as examples, additional health benefits are discussed throughout the website.
Learning &
Focus
Biophilic design in schools can help increase test scores, learning rates, and offer environments for better overall health. Better access to nature outside of the building can provide opportunities for mental restoration, better behavior, and an increased ability to maintain focus.
Studies have found test scores increase anywhere from 7-18% in classrooms with daylight compared to those without, and that students were able to learn 20-26% faster (page 27). Access to nature can also help ameliorate the effects of psychological stress, allowing opportunities to rest and recover, impacting daily life (page 27). Additionally, one study found that increased access to natural settings, with park settings having the greatest effect, could enhance the attention performance of children with ADD and ADHD. It is suggested that aside from the effect it would have on the children, it has the potential to reduce medication consumption in children by 10% (page 27).</spanstyle='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times></p>