The Tree Station - Biophilic Workspaces and Workplaces

Do you like my new standing desk?

Indulge with me on my new topic of interest.

Biophilia: “life” (bio) and “love” (philia);

A few weeks ago I moved house from an apartment tower complex that was as big as a suburb looking at other towers, to a beachy “tree house”, looking out onto a tropical garden. I can’t tell you how delighted I am with my new working desk scenario. (Heaps of spare standing desk work stations should anyone want to co-work)

The reason for my delight being, a feeling of creativity, flow state and wellbeing it seems to curate when working from my new “tree-station”.

I was recently introduced to the word “biophilia”, the word originating from the Greek, 'philia' meaning 'love of’ and “bio” meaning ‘life’... so went down a rabbit-hole and this is what I learnt.

Biophilia - what does it mean? It is sometimes described as changing the way we work, live and operate within a built environment, and once once I started reading, I found biophilia is much deeper than simply the design elements it can include.

Biophilic design has a biological basis that is known to be foundational to develop harmonious relationships between humans and wildlife, and from my perspective, the humans relationship with self and physical, emotional and creative well-being.

Not just skylights, green walls or living walls, but the presence of water and “earth based” materials seems a bridge between the typology of nature, human cultures, evolutionary preferences and psycho-physiological well-being.

Biophilic design considers the experience of the human and what is known as “biophilic thresholds”, translating to length of time spent in spaces and its impact on human health, when in or around “life”, its positivity, and when bio "life" is absent, into a different direction - for me - an isolating, lifeless, monotony where I am alone with my thoughts and seeking inspiration from a dry well, continuously doused in coffee.

I learnt that good biophilic design also considers the genetic history of the human and their evolution, their individual experience with nature and best elements to nurture healing and health, and gives the human something to care for, to develop a relationship with the living thing, whether it be an animal, a plant, a lake, to develop a sense of responsibility and purpose for the living thing. It considers views with water, greenery and open landscapes.?

In my topic dive I learnt that in 2007, urban population surpassed rural population for the first time in human history. It is forecast that by 2050, 75% of the worlds population will live in cities. As the worlds population migrate to urban landscapes, is it more important to invest biophilic architectural practices into our landscapes and public spaces? Is this an opportunity to influence sustainable practices in our decisions? These opportunities including our workplace and work-space and creative and professional well-being?

This makes me ponder too about creativity and open-spaces, public places and what that means to economics and business. For example, recently I visited Stuttgart, Germany in late July. Prior to arriving I had always considered “Porsche” a mythical creature - I quickly realised that no, actually Porsche was a person and parts of their family history and creation of Porsche story is set in this township, Stuttgart.

Once I visited the Porsche museum and their manufacturing site, looked out from a humble tower in the centre of their site, a small suburb on the outskirts of Stuttgart, with unobstructed views and saw that it was bordered by greenery, sky and wildlife, extraordinary sunsets and a traditional German community, with small pitched roofs, flowers and gardens, earthy tones and life around it, I came to conclude: public, work and personal spaces and the settings we spend time in have a heartbeat too. They contribute to well-being, innovative and creative thought and general human wholesomeness - certainly for me.

I then wondered Stuttgart with new eyes, learnt of its history, its advocacy for traditions like Ballet, its self-care and community elements like mineral pools, its bustling streets and food market and towering, hundred year old stock-exchange taught me something… that undoubtedly in my mind, Stuttgart itself was too responsible for contributing to the mythical creation of the Porsche, what do you think? If a progressive company has a connection to life, nature, community, its local landscape and local "heartbeat" - does this too shape the company? ?

Learning about biophilia has also taught me something new, and personal. To give myself permission to enjoy it - it’s a human thing. Lean in and curate, create the space that's right for you.

Standing desk stations in my home-office, available now. :)

Newport, Sydney - Australia