New research published by Lund University in Sweden reveals that more than four out of five people have a preference for natural office space and biophilic office interiors.
Biophilic office space incorporates elements of nature, ranging from natural materials and natural daylight, to indoor planting to soften the space.
In September we looked at some of the principles of biophilic office interiors, including large windows that connect you with the natural environment outside, and the use of pot plants to bring nature indoors.
Peter O’Reilly in Lund University’s Department of Psychology surveyed nearly 200 people to learn more about their preferences before starting work in a new office environment.
Using a combination of questionnaires, he found that 81.4% of office workers across both genders prefer their workspace to incorporate natural features of the type found in biophilic office design.
Gender and biophilic office space
One unexpected result from Mr O’Reilly’s research was the discovery that female respondents were more likely to prefer biophilic office interiors than their male counterparts.
This had not formed part of his initial predictions – although he noted that it reflected previous research done on the subject.
In his conclusion, Mr O’Reilly wrote: “Future office-based professionals appear to exhibit a priori office workspace design preferences consistent with research identifying good psycho-environmental design.”
The study seems to back up what was already known about biophilic office interiors and their effects on employees’ state of mind, with further implications in terms of reducing stress and boosting productivity.
Get access to biophilic serviced office space
As we have said before, biophilic serviced office space does not have to go to extremes – some careful use of indoor planting and natural materials can be an excellent starting point.
In our serviced offices in London and Manchester, we combine this with good use of natural light and the surrounding environment.
Wherever possible, our serviced offices and meeting rooms have large windows, and our buildings are located close to water, whether it’s the London Docklands or Salford Quays.
Combined with ergonomically designed office furniture from brand name suppliers, we do everything we can to provide you with a comfortable workplace that nurtures your productivity and mental wellbeing throughout each working day.
Proud to provide green serviced office space
Of course for many people it’s not just a case of wanting a sense of nature in the workplace, it’s also about choosing premises that are environmentally friendly so you can be as productive as possible with good peace of mind.
We are proud that our green serviced office space includes Ecotricity green energy, carbon emissions offsetting and excellent access via public transport, as well as secure on-site bike racks and shower facilities if you need to clean up after your morning commute.
Our carpets and our furniture, including our ergonomic office chairs, are made of recycled materials where possible, and we use energy efficient heating and cooling, as well as water-saving devices to make the most effective use of all resources.
