Gone are the days of sterile gray walls and dark hallways. Alluding to natural surroundings can make people feel more at ease, reduce stress, and aid healing. Hospitals can be better places of healing by incorporating biophilic design. Let’s look at some of the reasons why and how you can prioritize health outcomes through adding biophilic design elements.
So, what is biophilic design, and can it really make patients happier (and healthier)?
What Is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is the principle of designing spaces with nature as the core inspiration. The pandemic has caused a change in the way people define their spaces, whether at home or at work. Because we spend so much time indoors, it is crucial to bring elements of the outdoors in to bring both mental and physical health benefits. Biophilic design is more than aesthetics or adding plants to spaces. It is an intentional way to improve community health.
How It Helps
- Reduces stress.
- Regulates Circadian Rhythm (24-hour sleep/wake cycle based on light + dark).
- Increased energy throughout the day.
- Improves staff performance.
- Improves patient well-being.
- Helps with focus.
- Improves immunity.
- Increases productivity due to higher employee well-being.
How to Incorporate Biophilic Design
When we look at all of the benefits biophilic design has on our lives, adding some elements to hospitals and other medical facilities just makes sense. Here is what incorporating biophilic design can look like:
- Adding living plants to the space.
- Providing ample access to natural light.
- Flooring or wall material that looks like or is made of natural materials
- Using lighting that mimics natural light.
- Utilizing nature resembling colors such as green, blue, and brown.
Consult Anything Groes for Landscaping and Expertise
We are all better off when surrounded by nature. Anything Groes can design a unique environment for medical facilities that helps the community be close to nature. Provide a space centered on healing by working with Anything Groes on your next landscaping/plant design project.
