How Biophilic Design Boosts Productivity at Manufacturing Facilities and Offices

Biophilic design is an innovative approach that focuses on connecting people to the natural environment within built spaces. The term “biophilic” comes from "biophilia," meaning the innate human affinity for nature. Biophilic design draws from nature in order to foster health, happiness, and productivity in indoor environments.

The core idea is that human beings have evolved in the natural world for hundreds of thousands of years. As a result, we are intrinsically linked to nature in ways that directly impact our mental and physical well-being. When we incorporate natural elements and patterns into buildings, we can tap into this deep connection. Exposure to nature has been conclusively shown to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance mood.

Biophilic design utilizes a number of techniques to achieve this connection:

• Natural lighting: Daylight from windows and skylights mimics outdoor light variation
• Natural materials: Wood, stone, and metals evoke nature’s textures & colors
• Evocative spatial layouts: Organic, nonlinear forms engage our senses
• Nature views: Green spaces, landscapes & vistas reduce fatigue
• Natural shapes and patterns: Fractal geometries found in nature
• Water features: Fountains, aquariums, and ponds create tranquility
• Plants and greenery: Gardens, green walls, and potted plants clean air
• Natural artwork: photography and media depicting nature scenes

By leveraging these biophilic elements, manufacturing facilities and corporate offices can boost productivity, morale, and quality of work in multiple ways:

Manufacturing Facilities

Studies have shown manufacturing units with biophilic design elements report fewer errors, higher productivity, and improved employee satisfaction. Natural lighting improves alertness and mood while reducing eyestrain. Indoor greenspaces also filter air pollutants and allergens. Manufacturing sites can integrate biophilia through skylights, green walls, courtyards, fractal architectural details, and decor with nature themes.

Examples include:

• BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC : Their Oxford, UK plant features living walls covered in greenery to improve air quality. Their Munich facility has wooden beams and an open ceiling modeled after a forest canopy.
• Airbus : Their factory in Broughton, UK brings in natural light, materials, ventilation, and landscaping to create a comfortable workspace.
• Tesla : Their California assembly facility utilizes skylights, fresh air circulation, and elevated roofing modeled after Yosemite camping tents to connect workers to the outdoors.

Office Spaces

Offices designed with biophilic principles foster creativity, focus, and collaboration. The presence of plants and greenspaces reduces stress while improving air quality and mental engagement. Large windows, natural light, and nature views also lower fatigue. Wood, stone and other natural materials provide warmth and visual complexity.

Examples include:

• Amazon Spheres : These Seattle greenhouse office spaces have over 40,000 plants from 400 species to spark creative thinking.
• 苹果 Park: Steve Jobs insisted on an open layout surrounded by thousands of trees to inspire innovation and fruitful meetings.
• Adobe , San Francisco: Their office roof has walking trails through woodlands and inspirational vistas of the bay.

By thoughtfully integrating biophilic design, manufacturing facilities and office environments alike can boost productivity, satisfaction, and wellness by connecting to humankind's innate bond with the natural world.