The biophilic design is nothing less than the return to nature. The nature that city dwellers have separated from erecting a high, concrete wall; the nature that city dwellers need so much, as it turns out, also to work effectively. Even though the assumptions of the biophilic design have emerged in designing works for many years, it is only recently that the term was coined and described on a broader scale. The trend gained momentum once the investors, designers and property managers began to recognize more consciously the natural needs expressed by humans in general, and by space users in particular.
4Nature System, in cooperation with the Polish Green Building Council PLGBC, and Śląsk University of Technology, carried out a year-long study, across ten large-size companies, during which the researchers analysed the influence of office greenery on people, and assessed the employees’ needs. The results of the study acknowledged the need for interaction between the human beings and nature in the workplace. Eighty-six percent of the respondents assessed the influence of greenery on work comfort as positive, with ninety-two percent of them expressed the need to be surrounded by greenery in their respective offices. Eighty-eight percent showed desire to have it introduced into the office space, having it in close vicinity of their particular workstation. What is more, the research proved that once the greenery has been introduced into the workplace, a substantial increase in satisfaction has been recognized with regard to the air quality, alongside a considerable boost in the subjective evaluation of one’s general health well-being. A distinct difference has also been recognized in the perceived fatigue and concentration levels.
‘Places filled with greenery and natural elements exert a positive influence on creativity and work efficiency, reduce stress, and maintain motivation on a high level’, these are the conclusions drawn from another study: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace, which analyses the same phenomenon. **
Similar conclusions have been provided by Kamal Meeatle, an Indian environmental activist, in his studies regarding the quality of work ambient in high-rise office buildings. His research studies on the green work environment prove, among others, the general air purge from airborne pollutants and dust, a distinct drop of headache and eye irritation cases among employees, a 15% decrease of energy consumption used for room ventilation purposes, and – most interestingly – the increase of work productivity by 20%! **
As it is of utmost importance for people to have contact with nature, also in the workplace, the property market attempts to cater to these needs. Torus, while designing interiors, consistently introduces an ever-increasing amount of natural greenery into office spaces. The company’s design department does its best to fully capture all the opportunities to provide employees with the constant communing with greenery. It also refers to the areas around office buildings – the space is arranged in a manner which ensures rest and relaxation in the natural ambient upon leaving the office. Alchemia proves to be an interesting illustration of the Torus’ response to these trends. The investment was conducted in four stages for close to ten years, displaying the increasing importance of greenery. One must also note that greenery accounts for decorative strengths in the workplace, which pleases the eye, and sets a positive vibe.
In order to prove my point, below are several real-life examples of greenery in our investments:
- greenery – moss in common areas, entry hallways,
- area around Alchemia buildings – decorative trees, grass, a lot of natural wood, and lighting that underlines the advantages of relaxation zones,
- patio, located on the third floor of the first stage of Alchemia, constituting a fantastic ‘jungle’, in which one can relax and take a rest from work,
- green rooftops – are not accessible to employees, however, they increase the city green spaces; for people working on higher storeys they also account for an attractive view,
- introduction of decorations made of stabilized plants onto leased areas – moss, fern, and others, which create 3D green ‘images’ on the walls; since it’s not live greenery, it doesn’t require sunlight, water, or any maintenance, and it can be applied in extraordinary compilations and locations, most often at reception desks and conference rooms,
- tenants, on an ever-increasing basis, utilize services of Torus-recommended florist companies (dependable greenery suppliers), in order to introduce greenery into their office spaces.
