Matt Morley 15/09/2023 Matt Morley 15/09/2023

Neuro-Aesthetics in Interior Design

Bloc 722 Lofos Villa Lounge interior design

Biofilico's Guide to Creating Interior Spaces that Positively Impact Mental and Physical Health by leveraging neuroaesthetics

In the realm of wellness interior design, a powerful and emerging concept has taken center stage: neuro-aesthetics.

In an era where well-being and holistic health are paramount, understanding how our environment affects our mental and physical health has become an essential consideration for healthy building consultants.

Neuro-aesthetics in wellness interior design

As someone deeply involved in wellness real estate and healthy interior design, this mini guide will delve into the key principles of this relatively new design concept and provide a solid foundation for incorporating this cutting-edge approach into design practices.

We'll also explore the scientific evidence supporting the profound impact this concept can have on holistic wellness of occupants in a building.

The Key Principles of Neuro-Aesthetics

We see aesthetics are not merely a matter of personal preference but are deeply connected to our biology and psychology. To harness this concept's true potential in interior design, we need to leverage each of its key principles:

1. Harmony and Balance

Harmony and balance in design are fundamental principles in neuro-aesthetics. Our brains are wired to seek order and symmetry.

Spaces that achieve this harmony can have a calming effect, reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being.

As an expert in wellness design and interior design, we can use this principle to create environments that resonate with tranquility and balance.

2. Biophilic Design

Biophilic design recognizes and indeed embraces our innate connection with nature based on our evolutionary history.

Integrating natural elements into interior spaces, such as indoor plants, natural light, and water features, can improve cognitive function, creativity, and overall happiness.

This approach aligns perfectly with our focus on sustainability and indoor air quality here at Biofilico as well as our commitment to the wellness real estate industry.

3. Color Psychology

Colors evoke emotional responses, making them a potent tool in our world of wellness interior design. Different colors can elicit various emotions and behaviors.

For instance, cool colors like blues and greens promote relaxation, while warm colors like reds and oranges stimulate energy and creativity.

By carefully selecting colors, and factoring in the impact of indoor artificial light from a wellness architecture perspective, you can shape the atmosphere and mood of a space.

4. Texture and Material Selection

The textures and materials used in interior design play in this design strategy.

Soft, tactile materials can induce feelings of comfort and security, while hard, reflective surfaces can create a sense of dynamism.

However the latter come with a warning as glare can be an issue as we are typically maximizing natural light wherever we can!

As experts in the field of wellness real estate, our expertise in choosing building materials and interior fit-out materials that contribute to a sense of holistic wellness indoors is we think of increasing importance.

The Scientific Evidence for Neuro-Aesthetics

While these principles of may seem intuitive, their effectiveness is firmly grounded in scientific research.

Here, we explore some of the compelling evidence that underscores the importance of neuro-aesthetics in interior design:

1. The Impact of Visual Complexity

Studies have shown that spaces with a moderate level of visual complexity, characterized by a balance between order and variety, are perceived as more aesthetically pleasing.

Such spaces engage the brain without overwhelming it, leading to increased comfort and positive emotional responses.

This principle can guide your design choices to create environments that resonate with your clients' well-being goals. Think of fractal patterns in interior and outdoor environments, inspired by the nature for example.

2. Stress Reduction through Nature

Research consistently demonstrates the stress-reducing effects of exposure to nature.

Incorporating biophilic elements into interior design, such as natural materials and views of greenery, has been linked to lower stress levels, improved cognitive function, and enhanced mood.

3. Color and Cognitive Performance

The influence of color on cognitive performance has been well-documented.

For example, the color green has been associated with improved focus and concentration, making it an excellent choice for office spaces. Similarly, warm colors like red and yellow can enhance creativity and energy levels.

These findings highlight the practical application of 'color psychology' in designing spaces that support the goals of our clients in the residential and office sectors.

4. Sensory Design and Well-Being

The concept of sensory design considers how our senses, such as touch, sight, and smell, interact with the environment.

By creating multi-sensory experiences in interior spaces, we can amplify the positive impact of occupants spending time in them, even just for 30 minutes during a work day for example.

For instance, incorporating pleasant scents and tactile textures can enhance the overall well-being of occupants, aligning perfectly with our wellness-oriented approach at Biofilico.

Biophilic Interior Design in the Art and Science of Neuro-Aesthetics

In the world of interior design, there exists a captivating synergy between art and science.

It's a delicate dance where aesthetics and functionality converge to create spaces that not only please the eye but also nurture the mind and body.

At the heart of this harmonious union lies the concept of biophilic design...

The Art of Connection

Biophilic design, at its core, is the art of connecting human spaces with the natural world.

It draws inspiration from the deep-seated human affinity for nature, recognizing that we are inherently linked to our environment.

This connection is not merely aesthetic; it's a profound, physiological response that has been ingrained in us over countless generations.

The artistry of biophilic design lies in its ability to seamlessly weave elements of nature into interior spaces. Think of lush greenery, natural colour palette, wabi-sabi imperfections, fractal patterns, or even the gentle warmth of sunlight streaming through large windows.

These elements aren't just decorative; they can be carefully curated to evoke feelings of tranquility, comfort, and vitality.

They transform sterile interiors into living, breathing environments that resonate with our biological and emotional needs.

The Science of Well-Being

While biophilic design is undoubtedly an art form, it is equally rooted in science.

Neuro-aesthetics, the scientific study of how aesthetics impact our brains, plays a crucial role in understanding the effectiveness of biophilic design.

Numerous studies have illuminated the cognitive and emotional benefits of integrating natural elements and lighting into interior spaces.

For instance, research has shown that exposure to nature, even in the form of indoor plants or nature-inspired artwork, can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and boost creativity.

This scientific evidence underscores the profound impact of biophilic design on sustainability human health and our well-being.

The Symbiosis of Biophilic Design and Neuro-Aesthetics

The magic of biophilic design lies in its ability to bridge the gap between art and science seamlessly. It harnesses the beauty of the outside world to create interiors that not only please the eye but also soothe the soul and stimulate the mind.

It is the perfect embodiment of how aesthetics are not just a matter of personal preference but are deeply connected to our biology and psychology.

Sensory Design for mental and physical health of builing occupants

In the pursuit of creating interior spaces that profoundly impact mind-body wellness, sensory design emerges as a powerful tool.

This dynamic approach recognizes that our senses - sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste - play a pivotal role in shaping our experience within a space.

By harnessing the potential of sensory design, we as interior designers can enhance the neuro-aesthetic qualities of interiors and promote holistic well-being for occupants.

Sensory design goes beyond aesthetics; it strives to engage all the senses to create a multi-dimensional experience. F

or instance, the texture of materials can evoke feelings of comfort and security, while the gentle sound of flowing water can induce relaxation. Incorporating pleasant scents, such as the aroma of fresh flowers or calming essential oils, can further enhance the ambiance.

When integrated thoughtfully, sensory design can contribute to stress reduction, improved focus, and an overall sense of tranquility.

Incorporating sensory design into your interior projects, whether in residential real estate, hospitality, or office spaces, can elevate the well-being of occupants.

By attending to the sensory aspects of a space, you create environments that not only look beautiful but also promote health and wellbeing, fostering a sense of harmony and balance.

Conclusion: using neuro-aesthetics for wellness focused interior design

Neuro-aesthetics in interior design is not merely a trend; it is a powerful approach rooted in science and well-being principles.

As a professional in wellness real estate and interior design, we have the unique opportunity to leverage these principles to create spaces that go beyond aesthetics.

By embracing harmony, biophilic elements, color psychology, and sensory design, you can positively impact the mental and physical health of your clients, whether they are residential real estate developers, hoteliers, or office tenants.

In doing so, you not only enhance the value of your designs but also contribute to the well-being of those who inhabit them.

What are Healthy Workplace Spaces and Their Benefits — Wellness Design Consultants

Biofilico's team of expert wellbeing interior designers give their opinion on how to create a healthy coworking environment maximized for productivity and stress reduction. We cover case studies and relevant research studies as well as defining terminology along the way, from biophilic design to workspace design.

Introduction to Healthy Coworking Spaces

Healthy coworking spaces are essential for promoting workplace health and wellbeing. These environments are designed to be supportive, fostering collaboration, creativity, and productivity among their members. By prioritizing health, these spaces can help prevent ill health and encourage healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity, healthy eating, and good mental wellbeing.

One of the key benefits of a healthy coworking space is its ability to address common health issues that can affect workers. Poor mental health, substance misuse, and musculoskeletal conditions are prevalent in many workplaces, but a well-designed coworking space can help mitigate these problems. For instance, ergonomic furniture can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal conditions, while access to fitness facilities and healthy food options can promote physical activity and healthy eating.

Human resources teams play a crucial role in creating and maintaining a healthy coworking space. By providing resources and support for employees, HR can help foster a culture of health and wellbeing. This might include offering workshops on stress management, providing access to mental health resources, or organizing regular physical activity sessions. By prioritizing workplace health, HR teams can help create a healthy workforce that is more productive, engaged, and satisfied.

In summary, healthy coworking spaces are not just about providing a place to work; they are about creating an environment that supports the overall health and wellbeing of their members. By addressing common health issues and promoting healthy behaviors, these spaces can help create a more productive and positive work environment.

arsenal business club, montenegro - interiors by biofilico

what are the benefits of healthy workplaces and coworking space designs?

Co-working spaces are essentially shared office environments for businesses that provide freelancers, small business owners and independent operators with a professional place to work, collaborate, and network.

Typically the. benefits of coworking space compared to conventional office space are the efforts of the community managers, access to coffee shops for remote workers, private office (in the same space but away from the main hotdesk area) for an additional cost.

One of the advantages of coworking spaces compared to a traditional office is that they typically provide at the very least a combination of communal spaces, private office space means, flexible office spaces, hot desks flexible workspace, meeting rooms, event spaces, kitchens, reception and so on.

As an office interior design firm specialized in sustainability and wellbeing however, an optimized coworking spaces offer can be so much more than that - shower facilities, social space, fitness studio, natural light, acoustic phone booths, standing desk space and other wellness oriented facilities.

What is the meaning of co-working space design?

What explains the trend in flexible work spaces?

Co-working spaces are designed to give digital nomads, entrepreneurs, freelancers and simply those who do not have an office to go to the opportunity to access the same resources as larger companies without having to pay for and commit to expensive office space. They also provide a sense of community as workers come together to share ideas and resources.

This type of working environment can be beneficial for those who need flexibility in their work schedule or who want an alternative to working from home.

Additionally, co-working and coworking spaces can be great for networking purposes as it allows people from different industries to come together and form relationships. Imagine a co-share office with gym on-site where co-workers with a shared interest in fitness can connect, for example. This explains why coworking spaces are such a hot sector right now!

ozana business club interior design by biofilico

What is the difference between a business Centre or shared office space and a coworking space?

The main difference between a business centre or shared office space and a coworking space is the level of flexibility they offer but then there is a less tangible difference in terms of the atmosphere and vibe they each represent.

Business centres are typically more structured, with fixed leases and terms of agreement, they also have a more formal atmosphere.

Shared office spaces are also usually very structured too but with shorter term agreements than business centres, again though this is essentially a classic office vibe, a long way from the fresh approach of a coworking space.

This is often not the place to go looking for office interior design plans with great office interior design, proper lighting and creative layouts by sustainable office interior design companies.

Flexible contracts

Generally coworking spaces are more flexible in terms of membership length and cost. They also provide a far wider range of amenities than business centres or shared office spaces, from the obligatory communal kitchens, break out areas, conference rooms, coffee stations, rooftop lounges, games rooms, and even gyms.

Community aspect

Additionally, coworking spaces deliberately encourage interaction and collaboration between members via an events program, wellness activities, run clubs and social events, which can all be beneficial for those looking to develop new relationships or simply feel part of a community every day when they go to work. Team leaders play a crucial role in fostering a healthy and collaborative community within these spaces, ensuring that members feel supported and engaged.

A well designed office for co-working can literally be the key to a new city, as it was for company founder Matt Morley when he moved to Lisbon, Portugal in 2017 with nothing but a couple of suitcases and an AirBnB reservation… everything that came afterwards was in some way thanks to the crew at Second Home Lisboa coworking. Is one space proves the importance of office interior design on worker wellbeing, it is this biophilic gem!

innovation centre coworking interiors by biofilico

What is workspace design in the context of the current coworking trend?

Workspace design is the process of creating a creative indoor environment that meets the functional and aesthetic needs of its occupants, whilst aligning with the distinct set of values and personality of the coworking brand in question.

design for your target audience

As experts in designing coworking spaces for a range of different target audiences, from high-net worths to low budget start-ups, we take into account a range of factors such as ergonomics, lighting, acoustics, and interior aesthetics. Identifying priority areas in the design process is crucial to cater to the needs of different target audiences effectively.

Our aim is to maximize productivity and comfort whilst delivering the interior design and fit-out on time and on budget.

The goal is to create an environment for professionals that encourages collaboration, creativity, and productivity while still providing a pleasant atmosphere for workers. Factors such as zoning, acoustics, workflow management, and team dynamics should all be taken into account when designing a workspace.

What are the principles for designing a healthy coworking office space?

The principles for designing a healthy coworking office space include creating an ergonomic workspace that encourages movement, with abundant natural light and suitable ventilation rates for indoor air quality that all contribute to occupant wellbeing.

Acoustics

We also look for ways to reduce noise pollution between different zones, and create distinct quiet zones using acoustic panels, privacy booths and other sound absorbing materials to facilitate deep work and focus.

This is especially important for those n the creative industries and business owners looking to get $$$$ done!

Biophilic design

Natural elements such as plants and outdoor spaces both help to create a calm atmosphere and reduce anxiety levels, when done correctly. This is a fundamental concept behind the use of biophilic design in our coworking spaces and offices, see more on this subject below.

Other design considerations

Additionally, it is important to ensure that the space is designed with safety in mind, with adequate ventilation, fire safety measures in place, and clear emergency exit routes. Finally, workspaces should be designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate changing needs of occupants throughout the working day.

ozana business club interiors by biofilico

How do you plan a coworking space design?

When planning a co-working space design, it is important to consider the needs of the occupants, the goals of the organization, and the available budget.

The layout should be designed to maximize space utilization and encourage collaboration between members.

ergonomics

Additionally, it is important to consider ergonomics and comfort when selecting furniture and equipment. It is also important to factor in natural elements such as light and air quality as well as soundproofing elements where necessary.

Finally, it is important to ensure that safety measures are in place such as adequate ventilation and fire safety measures.

What is an example of healthy co-work space design by Biofilico?

Our previous project the Ozana Business Club in Porto Montenegro is a business members club that caters to the needs of local professionals and entrepreneurs with an interest in the dynamic community around Porto Montenegro (where Biofilico's founder Matt Morley was a Director from 2010-2019).

Ozana Business Club, Porto Montenegro

The club offers a range of amenities and services that are designed to help members succeed in their respective fields, it was all designed by our in house design team with local assistance in the fit-out and project delivery, as well as signage production.

The club provides access to the latest technology, such as high-speed internet, office space, and meeting rooms.

Members can also benefit from networking opportunities with other business professionals in the area.

Additionally, the club offers exclusive access to networking events, and seminars that provide valuable advice on topics such as finance, marketing, and management.

With its many facilities and impressive list of amenities, the Ozana Business Club provides an ideal environment for business owners to grow their businesses.

Innovation Centre, Porto Montenegro

Another past project of ours, the Innovation Centre Porto Montenegro coworking space is a unique, collaborative environment that provides entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners with the opportunity to work in an inspiring and creative atmosphere.

By being part of the coworking community, individuals have access to a network of like-minded people who can help them grow their businesses and reach their goals.

The space also offers amenities such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms, office supplies, and comfortable seating areas.

On top of that, members can attend workshops and events that will help them further develop their skills or learn more about the industry they are in.

The Innovation Centre is more than just some meeting rooms and a shared workspace though; it is a hub for creativity and innovative ideas.

Our biophilic recharge room for EcoWorld Ballymore in London

examples of co-working offices with workplace wellness design and healthy interiors

One clear example here is WeWork, which has a ‘Wellness Spaces’ program, essentially a coshare office with gym or yoga space concept. Not every coworking space has its own private gym facilities as space is often at a premium but a few of the best do have an onsite gym, or perhaps a ground floor cafe serving cognitive enhancing nootropic drinks.

These wellness spaces are designed to promote physical and mental health through various features like ergonomic furniture, natural lighting, and abundant greenery. Additionally, the company offers healthy snacks and beverages at its locations as well as access to fitness classes. In the East Midlands, workplace wellness initiatives have been implemented, resulting in an average of 5.6 sick days taken by employees in this area in 2021.

Other co-working office brands that prioritize workplace wellness design include the Knotel workclubs Soho Works that both leverage elements of hospitality and slick interior design to help them stand out from the crowd.

These brands create a healthy work environment with features such as standing desks, air purification systems, and natural materials like wood or stone in their interior design. They also provide access to yoga classes, meditation rooms, and healthy snacks in their lobbies or common areas.

By providing these amenities and creating a healthier workspace for employees, these co-working office brands are helping to reduce stress levels and create more productive work environments.

benefits of healthy indoor environment and wellbeing interior design in coworking spaces?

A healthy indoor environment and wellbeing interior design in a coworking space can have numerous benefits for both employers and employees. For employers, it can lead to improved productivity and creativity, as well as reduced absenteeism due to better air quality.

For employees, it can mean improved mental health, physical comfort, and increased motivation. It can also lead to increased collaboration among staff members as the space is designed to foster better communication.

Additionally, a healthy indoor environment in a coworking space can help reduce stress levels by providing natural light, calming colors and materials, ergonomic furniture, noise-reduction features, and a comfortable temperature.

Finally, such an environment can create an atmosphere of trust between coworkers which helps build strong working relationships.

research studies

Our biophilic recharge room for EcoWorld Ballymore in London

While some of these benefits can appear intangible, a coworking space does provide a unique testing ground for such experiments in workplace wellness research studies as the members are often young, open-minded and tech-savvy.

The number of research studies undertaken thus far though remains conspicuously low.

One of our own previous attempts to pin down some of these benefits was a biophilic space we created for real estate developer EcoWorld Ballymore in London's Canary Wharf district.

Over 100 respondents were invited into our waterfront recharge room one cold January and asked to spend 30-60 minutes surrounded by air-purifying plants, birdsong, candles and natural aromatherapy, we aked them to respond to a questionnaire before and after.

The results show that such spaces can have an immediate, positive impact on mood, stress levels, anxiety and feelings of nature-connectedness, as well as productivity and concentration.

See more on our recharge rooms here.

what studies exist proving the benefits for productivity and concentration from working in a biophilic office environment?

Studies conducted by the Harvard Business Review have shown that biophilic office environments increase employee productivity and focus.

The study showed that when employees were exposed to natural elements such as plants, natural light, and other natural elements, their productivity increased by 6%.

Furthermore, employees reported feeling more relaxed and concentrated during their workday when working in an office with biophilic elements.

Another study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that employees who worked in a biophilic office environment reported lower stress levels than those who did not.

These findings suggest that incorporating biophilic elements into an office environment can have a positive impact on employee productivity and concentration levels.

See our dedicated webpage covering a wide range of such research studies here.

what other case studies exist for integrating biophilic design principles in a coworking office space?

One such example of biophilic design being integrated in a coworking office space is the design of the WeWork office in London. The designers embraced numerous biophilic design principles, such as natural light, natural materials, and plants. The lobby area was filled with greenery to create a connection between the indoors and outdoors.

There were also plenty of plants placed around the workspace to help improve air quality and provide a sense of calmness. The designers also made use of natural materials like wood and stone to bring an organic feel to the office space. These materials were used throughout the entire workspace, from walls to furniture.

Large windows allowed plenty of natural light into the shared workspace, which helped reduce lighting costs while providing occupants with views of the city and nature outside. Overall, this coworking office space serves as an inspiring example for how biophilic design principles can be successfully implemented in an office setting.

how do Second Home coworking offices use biophilic design?

Second Home coworking offices are designed with biophilic design principles in mind. This means that natural elements are incorporated into the workspace to create a calming atmosphere. Natural light is used as much as possible and plants are strategically placed throughout the office.

Natural materials such as wood, stone, and other organic elements are used in the decor to bring a sense of the outdoors inside. The idea is to create a workspace that feels like an extension of nature, rather than a cold and sterile environment.

Second Home also utilizes green walls and terrariums filled with lush, vibrant foliage to add an extra layer of comfort for its members. These elements work together to create a space that invokes feelings of tranquility and productivity, allowing members to reach their full potential. They may not have private gym facilities but they do include fitness classes and other group activities instead.

What are the main services provided by flexible workplace providers for improved mental wellbeing of its members?

A creative workspace with concern for worker wellbeing can offer workshops on topics such as stress management and mindfulness that can help workers reduce stress levels. Coworking offices can also provide mental health resources such as free counseling sessions or discounted therapy fees for workers who need extra support.

what is wellness design in a healthy buildings and wellbeing interior strategy

Here we address the question of wellness design as a sub-set of healthy buildings and wellness real estate as a whole, covering the five primary facets such as health and fitness, comfort, security, accessibility and biophilic design, active design and multi-sensory design, even wabi-sabi interiors come into play here.

casa biofilico barcelona — Casa Biofilico, Barcelona

a basic introduction to Interior design for wellness

The role of interior design in enhancing building occupant wellness and creating a healthy indoor environment is increasingly recognised as being a fundamental part of a healthy building strategy, indeed without it there would be a complete disconnect between the intent of wellness architecture and the occupant experience of the interiors themselves.

Why? Simply put, because the design of an interior space can have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of its occupants, from the air they breath to the light that enters their eyes, the sounds they experience, the feelings evoked by being in a specific room and so on. We see this as a major trend in the wellness residences and lifestyle real estate space in particular.

what are wellness design services?

Wellness design is a concept that emphasizes creating spaces that promote the health and wellbeing of their occupants. This approach considers not just the physical design of a space, but also its impact on the emotional, social, and mental health of its users.

To achieve this goal, our role as wellness designers working for real estate developers and hotel groups focuses on five key facets that we will cover in more detail in the rest of this article before covering other topics such as biophilic design for mental and physical wellness, active design as a promoter of physical health, natural light and multi-sensory design.

The five facets of wellness design are generally agreed to be:

health and fitness
safety and security
accessibility
functionality
comfort and joy

Health and fitness in healthy building design and interiors

Health and fitness are fundamental components of wellness design. Creating spaces that encourage physical activity and healthy behaviors is a cornerstone of this approach. In real estate and interiors, wellness design can be achieved through the inclusion of fitness amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, and outdoor spaces that promote exercise and movement.

healthy living habits

In addition to promoting physical activity, wellness design also emphasizes healthy living habits. This can include the use of natural materials to limit the baseline levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the indoor air, as well as the incorporation of and soft promotion of healthy food options in communal spaces such as office canteens; biophilic design concepts to foster a greater sense of connection to nature indoors or in a dense urban environment; meditation rooms and quiet rooms for mental health and wellbeing practices; and active design to promote low levels of movement throughout the day be that by taking the stairs more often or using a standing desk.

Safety and Security in wellness architecture

Safety and security are critical elements of wellness design as spaces that are conspicuously safe and secure provide a sense of comfort and peace of mind for occupants. Techniques can range from enhanced security systems, such as surveillance cameras and smart phone enabled access control systems, to the inclusion of emergency response plans.

More subtle design techniques aimed at creating a sense of emotional and mental safety in interior spaces includes the use of calming colors, restorative soft lighting (especially after dark), and textures that promote a sense of comfort such as wool.

Accessibility in mindful design of interiors

Interior spaces that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities is essential to promoting inclusivity and wellbeing. In real estate and interiors, wellness design can be achieved through the use of universal design principles, such as wide doorways, non-slip flooring, and accessible fixtures.

For example, in some of the residential gyms we designed for Alpine Start Development in Dallas, Texas, consideration had to be taken for the American Disability Act (ADA) guidelines around wheelchair access to each major group of equipment, be that cardio machines or strength machines, to allow for a wheelchair user to roll up alongside at least some of the equipment without obstruction.

outdoor workspace design concept by biofilico for HERO natural foods, Switzerland

In addition to physical accessibility, wellness design also addresses social accessibility. This can include communal spaces that promote social interaction and connection, such as shared outdoor spaces in a workspace such as the concept design we created for HERO natural foods global headquarters near Zurich in Switzerland, or communal kitchens.

Functionality as a feature of wellness design

Buildings and interiors consciously designed with functionality in mind promote efficiency, productivity, and ease of use. In commercial office real estate and interiors, translating this wellness design concept requires flexible floorplans and spaces that can be easily adapted to different uses, as well as the incorporation of smart technologies to facilitate it all.

For example, in our podcast interview with Nicholas White of the Smart Building Collective, he referenced the Hausmanns Hus by Hathon in Norway - a private family office who managed to create a building that can adapt to almost any size tenant and still provide them with accurately metered energy readings related to their exact portion of the floorplate, which in turn allows the tenant greater control over their sustainability and ESG efforts.

Comfort and joy in wellbeing design

Buildings, interiors and spaces that promote occupant comfort and joy provide a sense of emotional and mental wellbeing for their occupants, this however can be a notoriously difficult concept to pin down as it is often a subjective response. Nonetheless, many of the major healthy building and wellness real estate certification systems such as WELL and Living Future include this concept in their points system.

Partly for this reason and partly due to our own strongly held belief in the power of wellness design and biophilia to deliver such a tangible response from occupants of a space, we continue to include ‘comfort and joy’ in our wellness design services list.

In real estate and interiors we are working with comfortable and ergonomic furnishings, as well as the incorporation of artworks, sculptures, plants and representations of nature, or indirect biophilia.

organic interiors and healthy materials

One way interior design can enhance occupant wellness is through the use of natural materials. Studies have shown that materials such as wood, stone, and plants can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation but we argue that there is a far more visceral, intuitive response hidden within such research groups.

As humans we are hard-wired to gravitate towards natural materials with texture, a patina of age, and the beauty of wabi-sabi imperfections far more than to industrial, all-too-perfect finishes. When such natural materials are also non-toxic materials and low VOC then they have the additional effect of improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues.

healthy materials

active design interiors and human-centric design

The layout and functionality of a space can also impact occupant wellness. Spaces that promote movement, such as standing desks and walking meeting rooms, can improve physical health and reduce sedentary behavior.

Additionally, creating spaces that promote social interaction and connection, such as communal areas and shared kitchens, can improve mental health and foster a sense of community.

active design

t morley biofilico biophilic design natural light plants — matt morley of biofilico

biophilic design and natural light in interiors

Incorporating natural light and views of nature can also improve occupant wellness by reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. This can be achieved through the use of large windows, skylights, and the inclusion of indoor plants.

Spaces maximized for biophilic design benefits aim to make the most use of the natural daylight available, allowing it to filter through into the core of the building’s floor plate.

Smart lighting systems with LED bulbs can provide different light tones and intensities during the day to follow the body’s natural 24hr cycle. A combination of natural daylight, task lights (e.g. desk lamps or bedside lamps), uplighters (e.g. standing lamps) and ceiling lights on a smart system will all help create an interior designed for wellbeing.

biophilic design

multi-sensory design for wellbeing

In addition to promoting comfort and joy, wellness design also addresses the impact of the built environment on sensory experiences. This can include the use of materials that promote tactile engagement, such as natural stone and wood, as well as the incorporation of sensory elements, such as sound and scent. This is also known as multi-sensory design and is a pillar of our own type of experience-based design interventions in the built environment.

In conclusion, wellness design is a holistic approach to real estate and interior design that promotes the mental and physical health and wellbeing of its occupants.

By focusing on the five key facets of health and fitness; safety and security; accessibility; functionality; and comfort and joy, wellness design can create spaces that promote physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing be that in residential, office or leisure real estate settings.

Matt Morley 27/11/2021 Matt Morley 27/11/2021

Circular Interior Design: Soma Studio Milano — Wellness Design Consultants

We talk about the key principles of this new interior design concept, the product categories in real estate and interiors that are excelling in circular design terms, take-back programs for used furniture, surfaces made of bio materials, waste as a design flaw, the importance of collaboration between brands, how nature offers guidance for circular designers, the endless potential of mycelium to replace plastic in future, the Eco wellbeing interior trend in homes as well as the role of biophilic design within circular economy.

Talking Circular Design with Soma Studio Milano - advisors, trend forecasters and content producers focused on the circular economy

a conversation on circular design for the Green & Healthy Places podcast

“sustainability alone is no longer enough - besides not doing harm to the planet, we also need to do good. We can’t only sustain the current system, we need to regenerate”

— ana luiza magalhaes

Matt Morley

This week we’re in Milan, Italy, talking to Ana Luiza Magalhaes the Brazilian co-founder ofoma Studio](LINK 1), a company engaged in the circular design sector as b2b advisors, trend forecasters, content producers and all round expert guides for those seeking to improve their knowledge of this relatively new industry that we call the circular economy. Soma Studio Milano works with interior designers to implement circular design principles, emphasizing the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into interior design to foster a more sustainable future.

We talk about the key principles of this new interior design concept, the product categories in real estate and interiors that are excelling in circular design terms, take-back programs for used furniture, surfaces made of bio materials, waste as a design flaw, the importance of collaboration between brands, how nature offers guidance for circular designers, the endless potential of mycelium to replace plastic in future, the Eco wellbeing interior trend in homes as well as the role of biophilic design within circular economy.

Ana Luiza Magalhaes

So Soma is a Milan based studio working to help professionals and companies to take action and shift from a linear to circular economy. And to do so we strive to raise awareness, provide relevant information to strategies within the circular economy and circular design. It is important to incorporate sustainable materials into interior design projects to minimize environmental impact and contribute to a more resource-efficient future. And then in terms of services, always under this umbrella of circular economy in design, we offer strategic consultancy for product development, which includes transfer testing, transporting and material research.

We also create content such as ebooks, reports, webinars to help organizations raise awareness around the superior economy and superior products and services. And we also create short courses, lectures or workshops in collaborations with companies and educational institutions.

Matt Morley

So in a way, you’re providing a series of consultancy services that are intended to push the industry forward by making it easier to integrate and understand circular design circular economy principles, would that be a fair description?

Ana Luiza Magalhaes

Yes, this would be a very good description because we try to raise awareness, educate, educate people and professionals and make it easier for them to apply the similar principles within their organizations and work in projects.

what are the circular design principles?

Matt Morley

And how do you define circular design and would you consider it in some ways to be different to let’s say, sustainable design or environmentally friendly design.

Ana Luiza Magalhaes

So, I think when we talk about circular design, we need to think about the three main principles of the circular economy which are designing waste out of products, systems, keeping materials and products in use in regenerating natural systems.

So, when we talk about structural design, we are dealing with a whole system from production to disposal and therefore with production in consumer waste. Circular design aims to minimize environmental impact through sustainable practices, focusing on restoring natural systems. When it comes to sustainable design or eco-friendly design, which are definitely important concepts, we are talking more about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future of the planet in the next generations.

So we are talking more about minimizing our impact. However, we believe that with climate change sustainability alone****is no longer enough - besides not doing harm to the planet, we also need to do good. We can’t only sustain the current system we need to regenerate. And I guess this is the biggest difference between circular and sustainable design. Circular is more about the system as I mentioned in regeneration.

Matt Morley

Effectively you’re encouraging businesses to take full responsibility for the products that they create. Rather than produce something, sell it to a client and perhaps offer some customer service during the in-use phase but the relationship effectively ending there, taking no responsibility for what happens at the end of use phase, the circular approach includes what happens and how you reintegrate something back into the system.

the role of waste in circular design

So companies, they need to be held accountable for the construction waste they produce, they need to allow consumers to return materials and products, which is not really the case. For example, when we think about computers, phones, so they need to think about the whole system, you know, doesn’t matter if they do something with a sustainable material. But in the end, the consumer doesn’t know what to do with that when they don’t more than that product.

Circular design in real estate and interiors

We see that furniture design is taking important steps towards circularity with different approaches. So for example, we see some brands launching take-back programs to allow their clients to return their used furniture, IKEA is doing that in the US. So their clients for example, can return IKEA furniture get a discount on new purchases, while the brand turns those used materials into new resources.

Using furniture made from recycled materials is also crucial in circular interior design. This not only helps in reducing waste but also promotes sustainability by repurposing and repainting these materials.

Another approach that some brands are using is modular design, which allows for repair remanufacture and recycling. For instance, we see that with sofas in his leaping systems.

A very good example that we spotted at the London design festival in 2019 is from a Scottish design company that’s a modular sofa that you can repair so you can extend the lifecycle of this piece.

And also recently at the Milan Design Week, we saw the customm modular sofa by matches with the same idea of modular design.

Another interesting take on circular furniture is the emergence of companies renting office furniture instead of selling. So furniture becomes a service with companies have the possibility to rent and then return them after some time. And then these pieces can be used by other companies, or can be remanufactured or recycled into new materials. So this is very relevant nowadays for the circular economy because we are talking about services in ownership.

And we also see some remarkable innovations with come when it comes to surface design. We have now stunning tiles made of plastic waste coming from our oceans or from textile waste from the fashion industry.

We also see surfaces using biomaterials, like mycelium and innovative technologies to recycle vinyl floors. So yeah, we see a lot of steps forwards into secularity, we think different products.

Matt Morley

If we look at it from the other side, then where do you identify the problem areas? So what are the sectors or the products within interior design as an industry where you’re seeing the most work still to be done?

Waste is a resource in design

There is much more to do to transition to a circular economy. But in our opinion, what is really missing overall is more collaboration between different players. Because when we talk about the circular future, this future is only possible when we consider the whole system from production to disposal, including the challengesand demands related to the extraction and consumption of raw materials in a linear model. So brands must collaborate with each other, with designers, with consumers.

So for instance, one company’s waste can be another company’s resource. And as we were mentioning earlier, a company must be held accountable for their waste, what is really not happening with computers, phones and smart appliances for homes. So I think we need to work further to collaborate because collaboration is key for this circular economy. And it’s not so easy to do that between brains or brains and consumers and designers.

Matt Morley

So it’s an optimistic message and that you can see the solution. And we have a way through and a circular approach is really the way to resolve the issue of creating all this waste. But do you think perceptions of waste are changing now even that word, waste?

Closed loop cycles in design

Yes, definitely. So with the rise of the circular economy in interior design, we are turning our attention to nature and in nature, there aren’t linked fields. So nature basically doesn’t generate waste - it turns everything into resources.

Optimizing production processes to make them more energy-efficient and generate less waste is crucial in this context.

So materials flow in circles - one species wast is another species food, so more and more designers and architects are seeing waste as a design flaw.

So this is changing their approach to waste from organic waste to industrial waste. Everything now can be repurposed. All this waste is becoming a valuable resource. And this is happening not only with plastic, but with all kinds of industrial waste.

Matt Morley

Do you see a strong potential for biomaterials as an alternative? So just moving away completely from plastics or even recycled plastics and finding more bio based materials as an alternative route forward?

Recycled plastics and bio-based materials

I think sustainable materials have a lot of potential, of course, it’s something that we still need to explore more and manage to produce in large scale, because with some materials there are not enough support to make them more scalable. But I think that’s the future because again, it’s looking at nature to find solutions for our problems. And I believe this is the best way to to deal with climate change and all the environment crisis and waste.

And one of the materials the bio materials that is really a great material and it has been explored a lot lately is mycelium, which forms the root system of fungi. It’s really amazing because it’s fire retardant, has excellent insulation and acoustic properties, can sequester carbon, and it’s biodegradable and non toxic.

So we see mycelium used in lamp shades, acoustic wall panels, furniture packaging, often replacing plastic. Yeah, so I think there is a lot of potential for biomaterials.

Wellbeing interior design trend

In the past years, we have seen wellbeing becoming one of our highest values, even in Major Design festivals like Milan Design Week, London design festival, Dutch Design Week that designers and architects are starting to pay much more attention on how spaces can affect our creativity, efficiency, and overall wellbeing.

Embracing circular design principles in architecture, interior design, and construction is crucial for fostering a more sustainable future.

We see a lot of professionals and brands exploring neuro-aesthetics, biophilic design and how to create spaces for cocooning. So within this context, we see for example, soft and tactile materials becoming important in helping to integrate technology in our homes and also workspaces in a more natural and human way. And the pandemic has greatly accelerate this trend.

Now we have a new sort of wellbeing that we call eco wellbeing, which is about living a more sustainable and circular lifestyle. It’s about welcoming the imperfect and impermanent state of things inspired by the Japanese Wabi Sabi’s really strong now as well. And finally, it’s about feeling physically safe, while we face pandemics.

So we need to work we need to entertain ourselves, you know, we need to do everything at home and yet feel safe in your shirt. So wellbeing is very strong that homes also workspaces, hotels and public shared spaces. The idea is really to provide people with places to feel safe and reassured to cope with their very fast speed digital lives in all the multiple crises we are living through, like climate change, the health crisis, recession, and so on. So people really need spaces to feel reassured, to recharge in. So that’s why I think wellbeing is something that will only evolve and improve.

Matt Morley

You mentioned biophilic design, as well. I’ve noticed obviously a huge increase in interest in in the topic over the last 18 months really in the COVID era. But it was already happening before then - do you think that’s something that will completely change the way we think of buildings and interiors in years to come or is just another trend?

Biophilic design in buildings and interiors

No, I don’t think biophilic design is just a trend that will fade away, we see biophilic design As part of our journey to reconnect with nature and restore our broken ties with it, we believe that biophilic design can help us realize that we are part of nature that we have this innate connection and affinity towards the natural world. And above all, that we are responsible, we have responsibilities towards it.

The Circular Building by Arup in London is an excellent prototype using circular design principles, constructed with sustainably sourced materials and designed for easy disassembly, promoting resource efficiency and minimizing waste.

So and in fact, scientists have proved that nature does have a positive impact on us, both psychological and physiological. So we believe architects and designers will continue to improve their take on biophilic design, providing us with new shapes, forms, materials, and technologies that bring nature closer to us.

So I think this will only evolve, not fade away. And recently, we saw again at the Milan Design Week, very interesting options for outdoor kitchens and outdoor furniture, especially the ones designed for public urban spaces.

So we also see not only interior spaces, but cities trying to promote more their public spaces, like parks where people can interact and be in contact with nature. So we really believe believe there is no turn turning back when it comes to biophilic design.

Matt Morley

I wonder how you see that connecting with and integrating an element of technology? I think there is perhaps a misunderstanding of biophilic design that it’s trying to return us to some state of primordial nature and therefore, technology is not a part of that vision. What potential do you see for wellbeing design and biophilic design to integrate elements of tech?

Wellness tech in eco wellbeing interiors

Well, I think technology is really key for our eco wellbeing and in many ways for biophilic design as well. We see new technologies, for example, that allows for sofa fabrics to purify the indoor air, improving its quality and also improving our wellbeing our health.

There is a need for new business models that support circularity in the industry to fully leverage these technological advancements.

There are also technologies that make surfaces much easier to clean, which have become top priority to reduce the spread of germs indoor and make us feel safer. So again, we will impact our wellbeing.

We also see multi purpose and easily assembled furniture that accommodates different needs either at work or at home and make our routines more flexible, lighting technology that is evolving to set different moods in the same space, smart gardens becoming very popular in allowing us to grow our our own vegetables and spices, regardless of our home natural lighting conditions, we also see that technology can improve the planet’s wellbeing because it helps us manage our waste either at home or at work spaces. Technology can turn surplus into new resources, decreasing pollution and so on. So technology is definitely key to to help us with our wellbeing and to improve the ways we work with biophilic design I believe.

Matt Morley

You do talks, workshops, trend memberships, how can the industry typically engage with you?

Yes, so we have different approaches. So for example, we can work with manufacturers, product manufacturers, to help them identify future trends or also doing material research. We recently did that we for example an American tire company. We also provide circular consultancy, to help organizations on how to implement circular design principles within their products. Source services. We also work a lot with education.

So you know, because for us, the first step towards this transition to the circular economy is really to educate yourself. So we provide content that’s relevant within the circular economy and circular design, to companies or educational organizations, and so on.

We also collaborate with media outlets. And we have this product, as you mentioned, our train membership and some ebooks and webinars that we do in partnership with an Italian blogger and architect Italian bark.

And we provide people with the latest news innovations and trends in interior design, which always includes regular news and innovations. So we can we have many different services, but always within this, bro. Bigger topic, the supply point, I mean, supply design

Matt Morley

That makes complete sense. You know, I think there’s there’s so much movement happening in this industry that not everyone can stay up to date. And there’s a lot of confusion. I think still there’s a lot of these the terms and a lot of we don’t necessarily know how, how to go about making things better. What you do is effectively like you’re an educator, you’re there to help fill in the gaps and, and boost understanding increased understanding of why this matters.

Ana Luiza

Yes, we also like to build bridges between two companies in order to manage their waste. For example, we also do reports on events, you know, if a company wants to see what’s happening in a particular design fair festival, and they cannot go or even if they go but they want our insights. We also do that. We consider ourselves researchers and educators and content creators, a bit of everything really.

Matt Morley 24/10/2021 Matt Morley 24/10/2021

Healthy sustainable furniture by Benchmark UK

Talking healthy materials, circular economy principles, biophilic design and Life Cycle Assessments with Benchmark Furniture, in Berkshire, UK.

Talking healthy materials, circular economy principles, biophilic design and Life Cycle Assessments with Benchmark Furniture, in Berkshire, UK.

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Welcome to Episode 34 of the Green & Healthy Places podcast, in which we explore the themes of sustainability and wellbeing in real estate and hospitality.

I'm your host, Matt Morley, founder of Biofilico healthy buildings and Biofit wellness concepts.

This week I’m in Berkshire in the English countryside talking to Sean and Laerke Sutcliffe of Benchmark Furniture.

Set up by Sean with his business partner, the late Sir Terence Conran, in 1984, Benchmark may be an artisanal workshop of 70-plus people but they have also been trailblazers in pushing forward the theme of green and healthy furniture in recent decades.

They’ve worked with Foster + Partners, Westminster Abbey, Oxbridge Colleges, museums and countless public buildings around the world. In our conversation we cover:

How they stance on sustainability has evolved over the past 40 years to incorporate health and wellbeing
The history of VOCs and Formeldehyde in wood workshops
The link between tropical timbers and deforestation
Vertical integration as a way to control the provenance of their work
How hiring apprentices locally ensures long-term staff retention
Their brand extension into healthy upholstery using NaturalMat filler
Life Cycle Assessments and the metrics of environmental impact that matter
Their thoughts on ‘biophilic furniture’ and the medium of wood

If you like this type of content, please hit subscribe, you can find Benchmark at benchmarkfurniture.com and my contact details are in the show notes for feedback and comments.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONVERSATION

our workshop considers both People and Planet, our carbon footprint and the transparency of our materials

here we are on a redundant farm, employing more people than the farm ever did in agriculture in high quality artisanal jobs

We produced the first wooden furniture in the world that had fully verified lifecycle assessments

I hope a time will come when we will base taxation of products, not on an arbitrary figure of the of the pecuniary value but on their carbon cost

as human beings, our oldest and most trusted relationship with any material is with wood

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FULL TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS COURTESY OF OTTER.AI

Matt Morley

I would like to start with a question around your the positioning of the business itself. So you seem to have this wonderful combination of craftsmanship, sustainability, and responsible business practices. And it feels so now it seems so current, and yet, you've been around for a little while. So I wonder if you could place that in context? Did you set out with that initial vision, and the world has aligned or has it been more of an evolutionary process over the last 30 years or more.

Benchmark Furniture / Sean Sutcliffe

So we set out 39 years ago, when we started the workshop, with a highly unusual stance in the furniture making community I took a rather stubborn stance that I won't use any tropical timbers. And people were quite dismissive, and some people are quite offended. But I had been learning as a young man about deforestation, and particularly a prime forest. And so my stance then was - we like to use wood, but we won't use any tropical timbers. Because that way, we are not deforesting, and we're not using any endangered species. And that was our stance for many years.

What's happened over the intervening nearly 40 years now is that the argument has moved. And so what is our stance is now not so much that we won't use tropical timbers, although we choose we prefer not to. But it now embraces so many other things that we've learned over the last 40 years.

We were the first workshop in the UK to go zero formaldehyde, the first workshop in the UK with FSC chain of custody (FSC) Certification - we've we've always tried to look ahead at the way that the sustainability arguments and the health and wellbeing arguments have gone.

People tend to think that the health and wellbeing argument is pretty new. But actually, 25 years ago formaldehyde became the hot topic. And what we're saying today will change tomorrow, because the situation on the ground will change, science will change, imperatives and priorities will change. Now everyone's very focused on carbon. But, some while ago, everyone was very focused on acid rain, say or eutrophication.

Laerke Sutcliffe

But I think it's also interesting to sort of look at it from both the planet and the people angle. And that has become quite important for us within the last six years to have a position where we both consider the carbon footprint and the transparency in the materials that we are using. So being that workshop, or that destination, where you as a customer can come and buy your product and combine the carbon footprint, and the non toxic material considerations together.

Matt Morley

You mentioned the word transparency there - clearly, a responsible business, in a way needs to take ownership for presumably a bit more than just that final piece of the puzzle, have you adopted this process of vertical integration? And what role has that played in helping you get to where you are today?

Benchmark Furniture

We've done it over a long period of time. But in truth, most of our vertical integration came about through a simple desire to have more control over the quality of our work, and the provenance of our work.

Nowadays, vertical integration also gives us more control over the wider aspects of employment practices, diversity practices, and so forth that play into the supply chain argument. So we happily, frequently get asked quite deep and complex questions about our supply chain, and the more that we can supply from under our own control the simpler that process is.

Of course, we've still got our materials supply chain. But in terms of subcontract supply chain we use very, very few subcontractors.

Matt Morley

You also mentioned the idea of employment practices. And it's something that really comes across in terms of your communication online, the idea of adopting responsible work practices that really seem to be a part of your DNA and as a business, was that an instinctual process?

Benchmark Furniture

Yeah, I think I wish I could say there was some greater and higher good about it, but actually, it was very simple. A realization some years into running the business and training people, that if you employ locally, your retention is much better.

So we started off employing graduates and students, or craftsmen from far afield, you know, other parts of the UK or overseas, and they’d come to do a few years, and then normally go back to their places of origin so we thought, well, this is mad, we started employing and training apprentices only from my local area.

It may sound a bit mean, but when when aspiring apprentices apply to training here, if they haven't got a pretty local postcode, they're not in the running. That a self interested thing about keep retaining staff. But of course, what it also plays into is our journey to work miles are very low.

We have very long employment profile here. And so we really do care very deeply, we've got second generation staff here, which is very gratifying. So it started out purely as a way of keeping staff. But it actually has evolved into a very good employment practice in terms of local employment and, and artisanship.

The countryside has lost most of its skilled jobs. And here we are on a redundant farm, employing more people than the farm ever did in agriculture in high quality artisanal jobs.

Matt Morley

There is then also that connection in terms of the materials as well, a key piece of a healthy interiors and healthy building strategy. So employing and working locally. And then as you mentioned, not using tropical woods. So could you talk to your vision of, of cradle to grave lifecycle in terms of the materials that you're using for your products, and perhaps place that in the context of the wider industry? Because it's not necessarily an industry that's known for getting everything right, in that sense, but you've really taken a stance on it.

Benchmark Furniture

Yes, and we, we have the great advantage that we our principle material is wood, I mean, 99% of everything we make originates as a tree. So we have a fantastic advantage in terms of sustainability, providing that we're making sure we're buying our wood entirely from sustainably forested sources. And that's an absolute must for us, you know, we will only do that.

The materials that do extend beyond wood into upholstery, for example, we've changed radically our approach to upholstery, because that's where there is use of petrochemical foams, which is almost ubiquitous in the in upholstery world. They're very nasty business.

We were really lucky that some 10 years ago, we started working with Imperial College London on lifecycle assessment. So we did this as some projects that we did with the Royal College and, and the American Hardwood Export Council, looking at measuring the the real proper metrics of cradle to grave lifecycle assessments. We produced the first wooden furniture in the world that had fully verified lifecycle assessments.

And we've continued to do that, it's an evolving science in it - It's an imperfect science still. But we now on all our core ranges do environmental product declarations, which include lifecycle assessments. And we're able to give not just the carbon content or the carbon store, of the pieces of furniture, but also all the other measures the other seven measures of environmental impact that are embodied within the work we do.

So it's a really fascinating things. And in order to be really transparent, and protect against a world that is flooded with greenwash, we really need metrics. And is only through lifecycle assessment and independent verification, that we can get reliable and proper metrics and people can, can see and trust the knowledge they've been given about the impact of what they're buying.

Laerke Sutcliffe

I think we also decided about I think it's five years ago, that we wanted to take it to the next level as Sean was saying, the fact that all products today are declaring themselves ‘sustainable’. So you know, where does that leave us, a firm who truly has been sustainable from the very beginning, before it was something cool?

Where if we wanted to keep leading the way in terms of taking it to the next levels, how did we best interact with the movement, so we decided to have third party verification to be able to put the hard facts on the table.

So in that process, we had to go back and analyze a little bit the materials that we were using, so glues, oil, and upholstery was our biggest challenge. And we then went into to a process of putting quite a bit of pressure on our supply chain, which I think is needed, you know, people, like ourselves and our friends in the industry required a lot of responsibility in terms of choosing the materials that we put out in the world.

So if we can put that pressure on the supply chain saying, guys, unless you can meet those criteria, so there was transparency. In our case, we wanted to have a declare label on the products, so unless the products that our supply chain provided could meet that the low VOC basically, they couldn't deal with it, we couldn't deal with them.

So we had to have some upfront meetings about either we work on this together, and we get to where we need to be at, or we have to go and look for other places to source our core materials. So I think that was a really interesting process.

And as Sean say, you know, we obviously come from a very good starting point because we work mainly in timber, but we still did have to do get our clues and our oils and, and PE and really in engage with the upholstery. And I don't know if it's worth it going into sort of like a deeper sort of description of how we did

Matt Morley

So the even the idea that your furniture could be unhealthy, that a flame retardant, a chemical process is going to off gas into your home or your office over the first six to 12 months, the idea that the adhesives might do the same and lower the quality of the indoor air in your space. And also you mentioned the filler but I saw that you'd found an ingenious solution by working with a UK company that I know from Devon who do the wonderful natural mattresses - so you went to a natural mattress company to find a solution to fix the issue around nasty foam filler as your upholstery?

Laerke Sutcliffe

That's right. And and I think as I said, you know, we started out by putting pressure on the existing supply chain and didn't actually get anywhere. For us, it was quite important to actually do the heavy work ourself, because you get into the grid of what it actually really takes to not just tick the box, but actually do the right things.

So we, in the research process, it became quite clear for us we had to be thinking, innovative, and as additive, and NaturalMat has been quite revolutionary in the way that they have providing their different materials to build up their mattresses. And so we reached out to them and said, You know, this is what we are trying to achieve. And actually, today, if we really want to do some massive changes, we believe we have to collaborate across industries. And be and think a little bit above, just sort of like the day to day, you know, and what we set out to do goal wise, our mission and so on.

We actually became really good friends with the guys running NaturalMat, and we had to persuade them that you know, guys, come on, let's work together. And let's try to, to do things in a way that is not necessarily the conventional way of doing things.

Benchmark Furniture

I do think that we're all going to make a lot more difference if we collaborate more. And if we, if we have as much openness and transparency about what we're doing. So we have a rule here, anybody can come and visit our workshops, you know, industry competent competitors, whatever, they can come and see what we do and how we do it. Because on our on our own, we're going to make very little change. But if we can help lead away and and larger and perhaps more influential businesses, financially influential businesses can can see that there's a way forward and follow suit, then, then we're going to be very happy to have shared that knowledge.

Laerke Sutcliffe

We do also on our website, we actually share our composition of how we managed to put together our post street at the end, because that was also quite a process of finding both comfort and, and sort of actually meeting the first fire retardant natural fire retardant within the build up of the structure. So we did put quite a lot of sort of testing and effort into getting there. And as shown saying, instead of sort of, you know, could putting a copyright and sort of being proud about it.

We actually say, guys, give us a call. This is how you do it, we show it on the website, and yeah, very open to share. And I think it's also important to mention that we you know, we have walked the walk and come a long way, we still have a lot to do, and we will keep walking. But we are never, never trying to look or come across as the expert in the industry, but more the sharing people that we hope you will follow. If that makes sense.

Matt Morley

Talk to us a bit about the OVO furniture collection because from outside it looks like it's encompassing a lot of your values and the principles behind the business in one - is it sort of the furthest you've gone so far in terms of delivering on that?

Benchmark Furniture

Yes, the OVO range was the first of our core ranges that we did for environmental product declarations on and it for me It embodies the very best of design and I think the design is the best of modern design. It's simple. It's tactile, it’s biophilic, you just feel good in its presence, you want to stroke it. It's non toxic. In its consistency in its materials, it has a measured embodied carbon declared on it. And in almost all cases, other than the leather upholstery pieces, it's, it gives us a sort of net carbon store or people even call it carbon negative, but we call it a net carbon store value.

I think it does embody the best of of what we do. But we've extended the environmental product declarations now to many more products. And we've had some external consultants write algorithms that enable us to do this in a simpler way, we still have to have the figures verified by third party peer reviewed, but it does enable it to be more streamlined. And it is a bit burdensome, and a lot of businesses just cannot see how they would ever do it. But the processes are becoming simpler.

Models are being built that will enable makers of anything really to do this, and it's just gonna be very valuable. I hope a time will come when we will base taxation of products, not on an arbitrary figure of the of the pecuniary value but on their carbon cost - being a much more real cost as we face You know, the climate situation we we face. So, I think that that it's really important the sharing of knowledge and the making it easier for businesses to to produce lifecycle assessments or environmental product declarations.

Matt Morley

There may not be government level legislation yet around targets for the carbon impact of furniture in a new workplace. Let's say if that workplace or the owner, the real estate developer signs up for a LEED certification process and indeed the well process there then, in a sense that provides that structure that then gives additional credits and effectively encourages the industry. And someone like myself was specifying which furniture should be put into these 12 floors of offices.

Were then out looking for brands, businesses, products, such as they have a collection that have that epd behind them, and they're then rewarded with credits on the on the overall project score. So I think there is a commercial angle to it, if anyone's still not convinced that it is the purely the right thing to do. When one is aligned with LEED or BREEM certification, one of these systems, there are literally points scored for purchasing products that have these EPDs. And that seems to be the best we have in terms of nudging the industry in the right direction.

You mentioned biophilic design, and it's typically referenced for entire spaces, and a lot of people think of effectively plants. But I'm big advocate for biophilic design being much more about things like texture, colours, patterns and natural fabrics.

Unusually though, you mentioned it in the context of your furniture. So from where you sit, how does this trend if we can call it that reflect a shift towards a more natural approach to interiors? How are your pieces talking that language of nature?

Benchmark Furniture

So our pieces of furniture do speak as a very natural piece because principally, they're made of wood and as human beings, our oldest and most trusted relationship with any material is with wood. It is the most in any survey done anywhere in the world at any time. Wood is the material that gets the greatest amount of trust and credibility from the buying public.

I just believe I know that we react very well. When we can see that something's made of wood and preferably have solid wood. The fact that we can touch it, the fact that we can feel the grain we can see the grain it just takes us into a natural world. There are all sorts of measures that that are starting to be done or on the the brains reaction in relation to to nature and there is some science We're starting to get some science that is actually able to pinpoint, specifically which parts of our brain react well.

But I'm also a great believer in instinct. And I regard instinct as being a little more than the sort of distillation of 1000s or hundreds of 1000s of years of experience in existence of the race. If our instinct is to accept and trust and feel good in the presence of material, then you're probably right. And we don't give enough credit to instinct we tend to look for, for sort of scientific explanations for everything, and yet we accept that instinct exists within the way a whale migrates or swallow returns to its nesting site, we accept that instinct exists, but in everything except human beings.

I think we should listen a little more to our instinct, and everybody feels better, closer to nature. And if that closer to nature means sitting at a wooden table and feeling a piece of wood, or sleeping in a wooden bed, or having a wooden floor, a wooden wall, then that's also beneficial.

Laerke Sutcliffe

I think, also more indirect, for instance, our new collection, our new fabric collection, has aspects of biophilic by the fact that it's created in in natural materials and without the need of any fire retardant treatment. So aspects like that, that, you know, if you keep if you're building up products are spaces with only materials this either, yeah, natural or not, in need of any toxicity for any treatment. That layers up, in my opinion, they biophilic design.

So I think but as you're saying that biophilic design is quite often misunderstood by you know, just at the very end of the project, you putting a few sort of plants, in plastic pots around the green wall, the green, green wall, you know, it sticks much deeper than that, then then then then in how you are creating a space in layers.

Matt Morley

I noticed one of your previous projects was the Maggie’s Center in Manchester, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Lily Jencks, the daughter of the late Maggie on one of my early projects and Lily, a landscape architect created a wonderful green gym space for us. And I when I saw that you'd also been involved on a Maggie center in Manchester, I just thought what a great one an obvious connection and so fitting.

So perhaps you could just describe a little bit the involvement there because again, I think there's a real connection with with biophilic design and creating a nurturing space and it's essentially a cancer care center. So a place where it's real mission, its purpose is to nourish and calm and relieve anxiety.

Benchmark Furniture

Yeah, I'm I'm a huge fan of the Maggie's charity and Charles Jencks his vision. After Maggie's work, it was Maggie's vision in her own lifetime, having suffered that, that sort of shock of being diagnosed with cancer, and you walk out of the oncology department in some big hospital, and where do you go? Where do you take that shock. And their vision was that you take it into a Maggie center, and that these centers should seek in every way to sort of calm and reassure and comfort you. And nature is in their view, and I would share it entirely the greatest comfort at that moment. And so all Maggie centers are built as much as possible in natural materials. They have gardens, they have a big kitchen table where you can give away which encourages a sense of community and sharing of your that moment and of of your diagnosis or treatment afterwards. And so we've actually been involved in a lot of Maggie's projects Manchester was was one of them, which was a foster and partners project. But we've done a lot of the Maggie centers and I think that sadly, I'm Charles Jencks has he's died there, but the the charity continues, and Garner's a lot of goodwill for very good work, but it is that central thing of putting nature at the heart of a building, whether it be through gardens, planting, natural materials, tactility shape form, and undoubtedly every Maggie's that I've ever been into Give a feeling of wellness sort of ironic when actually tend to be rather full of people who are unwell with cancer. But but the the physical environment is a very well environment.

Matt Morley

There's then also the topic of, of circularity and circular economy and durability and something that one can really sense with with your work is that no doubt due to impart to the vertical integration to the level of craftsmanship to the quality of the products and materials, something that's going to last.

And you've really committed to that with this idea of almost sort of a take back scheme at the end which connects with the idea of circular economy and I'm a big fan of this, I think pretty much everyone needs to get on board. But it seems to be a slow takeoff. How have you adopted that approach? And what have you learned so far from that?

Benchmark Furniture

So I think our stance on this started with with the concept of lifetime repair. What we make is inherently durable, because we operate with high levels of craftsmanship, and hopefully good design, where durability is built in and designed in. But the concept of lifetime repair. I think it was it was probably Patagonia and Yvon Chouinard, and in my awareness of the work that he'd done on it, I thought, well, that's all free.

So of course, we should offer lifetime repair, it's an easy thing to do. So that was the starting point. And then the circularity argument, as it's gained momentum over the last 10 years or so, really took us beyond that to what is a relatively new initiative for us of take back scheme, where anybody who owns our furniture, we do have geographic limitations, which are just for the purpose of the practicality of recovering and bringing it back.

But essentially, within this moment, we operate it within the UK, we can collect there for if it's no longer required, it is no longer relevant, useful. Or the or the circumstances of the owner have just changed. We can take it back, we can give it a value depending on the condition of it, which is then issued as a credit against more furniture that we can supply.

But then what we take back, we seek to either repair, refurbish, repurpose, reuse, or at worst recycle. And because it's all natural materials, they're recyclable. And so in order to, to offer that and do that, you have to think at the design stage and the making stage about well, how easy is it to repair, how easy to take it apart? when this comes back to us, you know, are we going to be able to take it apart until you start to think even when you're making it for the first time about how you're going to remake it or repurpose it or refurbish it.

There's nothing new I mean, you know, it's it's centuries old, the concept that that furniture should be able to reuse and repurpose it was you know, furniture used to be the one of the very high value items that any household owned. And so it had to be transportable, it had to be repairable and somehow we lost sight of that.

So we're only really seeking to reintroduce something that that has been around. But yes, it's it's an exciting, it's an exciting new avenue for us. And it also hopefully will bring a new audience to us because there will be this, this body of furniture that's available for for resale, refurbished furniture for resale. And that hopefully will bring us new customers as well. So we will I hope it's good business as well as good for the world.

Laerke Sutcliffe

But also as you say, it sort of starts already from the product development point of view. So we have a when we start new projects we just about to go into a new product development process this month. And when we start out a collaboration like that, we have a wheel that we sort of measuring all the or the starting process and all the way through really up against this wheel. And one of those is but if it's gonna last the life time, how do we then you know, how where do we start? So I think it's definitely starting from the very beginning that we are considering all of those different aspects which is ending up being there. They sort of finish it finished product,

Matt Morley

Effectively shouldering the responsibility for waste creation upfront in the production process in the design process because you know, you're taking ownership of that rather than designing and saying, Well, someone else can worry about what happens when it when it's finished when it when it's no longer needed.

Benchmark Furniture

Yes, but I'd also say we don't look upon it as perhaps waste creation, because what we take back is never waste. I mean, what we take back has opportunity, it has repurposing it, it has a resale, it has a lot of inherent embodied values still in it more than just the materials for recycling. So I'm the very, very last resort would be conversion into biomass fuel. But, but that would be the absolute last resort. So I really try to think that I would like to think that nothing we make ever ends up as waste, it just ends up as another kind of resource.

Matt Morley

Which is the takes us back to the wonderful circle rather than a linear, hopefully, hopefully, in some is admirable work. It's pretty great stuff. So you've obviously got retail collections, you also working with interior designers and architects, how are people connecting with you? Where are you present in the world?

Benchmark Furniture

People connect with us, I mean, I suppose our primary link is through the architectural community we've worked with, we're lucky enough to work with many of the world's biggest best and or most forward thinking architects. And so that is one of the major connections with the world.

We also deal with the furniture dealerships who have historically not been at the forefront of either either sustainable practice, you know, they'd be more interested in flogging a lot of furniture, then then what happens to it is lifestyle is the date its lifetime use. But actually that is changing. And pretty much all the dealerships are now having to engage in the argument.

And they have this whole, sustainable and circularity of health and wellbeing aspects now bigger, much higher in their customers buying profile. And so the dealerships are having to take that on board as well. That's another network that we that we operate through. And then I think just through the world of, of people who are interested in sustainability people like yourself, people like the planted, planted cities group that are looking at how we improve circularity, the way we view the products we consume.

Matt Morley

The good part there is that there's there's very little imagine sales process because the work speaks for itself. And there's a shared value system that one can just tap into and connect with because it's in one sense universal, although we wish it was slightly wider spread, of course, but for those of us who have bought into it and have adopted it as our worldview it's and we connect with see what you do, it's there is no conversion process required. It's just completely smooth. Well, that completely connects with how I see the world. And that's, I think, where the real value is.

Matt Morley 29/09/2021 Matt Morley 29/09/2021

multi-sensory wellbeing interiors

How to use light, sound, scent and texture in Biophilic design for wellbeing benefits

How to use light, sound, scent and texture in multisensory Biophilic design for wellbeing benefits

biophilic wellbeing interior design can ikigai barcelona biofilico

What is wellbeing interior design?

Wellbeing interiors are simply indoor spaces that have been maximized for human health and wellness. These may or may not include consideration for sustainability as the focus here is primarily on People rather than Planet. The role of human senses is crucial in this context, as a fundamentally multisensory approach to design can enhance the overall well-being of occupants by considering a broader spectrum of human perception, including light, air, sound, and materials selection. Multisensory design is essential in creating meaningful experiences that engage users’ senses, impacting mood, behavior, and well-being.

It’s a subtle distinction and by no means one that suggests mutually exclusive concepts, in fact we would argue that the best examples manage to marry both, bridging both worlds, respecting the environment whilst also promoting enhanced health for occupants of the space.

Wellbeing design considers light, air, sound and materials selection. This is often delivered by a Wellbeing Champion either independently or as a consultant on a wider project team.

What is biophilic design?

Biophilic design combines elements of nature, health and sustainability in interiors and architecture.

Far more than just landscaping, in its finest examples, it maintains a strong visual connection between indoor and outdoor worlds through the careful selection of colours, materials, patterns, shapes and, yes, both living plants and non-living representations of nature.

Our ‘tools’ in this sense include indoor planters and mini gardens, living walls, flooring, wall decor, acoustic panels, natural artworks, furniture fabrics, even eco cleaning policies, aromatherapy, soundscapes.

Natural light in healthy indoor environments

Lighting in a home office environment is important not just for ensuring a respectable image on a Zoom call but also for its role on our mental wellbeing. Natural light is crucial for maintaining consistent circadian rhythms, promoting physical and mental health, and contributing to a healthy multisensory workspace. Digital design plays a significant role in creating multisensory workspaces that incorporate non-visual sensory aspects, such as smell, taste, and touch, to enhance overall perception and experience. Considering a broader spectrum of sensory perceptions, it may not be the first thing we think of in relation to Biophilic design and healthy indoor environments but it is a valuable component in any wellbeing interiors project.

In a workplace wellness strategy, both for home and commercial spaces, daylight exposure is key for well-being.

First up, it’s always a good idea to get a few minutes of direct natural sunlight within the first 30 minutes or so of waking in order to help regulate your circadian rhythm - use a smart light system that recreates that same spectrum of colour for you indoors during the winter months, these lights can also be used to replicate sunlight as your alarm clock all year round, assuming dogs, cats and kids do not get there first!

Similarly, when working from home place your desk set-up near a window to give you as much natural daylight during your work day as possible. When you need supplemental lighting, again a smart light system will allow you to program the colour frequency from blue-white in the morning to amber in the evening, easing you into the day and winding you down steadily at night.

In the evenings one should avoid exposure to intense sources of blue-white light. Halogen ceiling lights will struggle to create the right atmosphere mornings and evenings above all, so you’ll want to switch to a combination of standing lamps and task lighting (e.g. desk lamp) to give more flexibility.

Get this wrong and it can severely affect quality of sleep - we may even be able to fall asleep as usual but there will be less REM sleep and therefore less mental recuperation taking place during the night. Those with sleep monitors on their wrists or fingers should be able to produce their own data to verify this for themselves.

Clearly all screens, be they from a TV, computer or smartphone are possible sources of this same sleep-disrupting light, so ensure there is a program such as f.lux on your computer or just the TV brightness later in the evening - better yet allow yourself a minimum of one hour of screen-free time before bed.

In a family or work scenario where compromises need to be made for whatever reason, individually electing to wear a pair of amber-lensed glasses in the evenings does the same job. Again, it’s worth testing this out and monitoring your sleep quality if it is of interest.

Acoustics in wellbeing interiors

A healthy building needs to address acoustics and other sensory features in order to create a healthy indoor environment that does not promote stress, while aiding in concentration and, in a residential context, ensures high quality sleep at night.

Incorporating sensory integration into the design process is crucial for creating a healthy indoor environment, as it considers the impact of various senses on inhabitants and promotes well-being through a multisensory approach.

Sound insulating materials are often integrated into or under flooring tiles, dry wall insulation, decorative wall panels, room dividers, planters, furniture and even wall paint.

Distracting noises in large, open-plan office spaces can have a direct impact on worker wellbeing and leave staff struggling to find a quiet corner in which to do deep work alone.

Equally, a small room with no soft furnishings in, such as a second bedroom converted into a home office, will require either carpet or a rug, furniture and fabrics - basically anything soft to help stop the sound reverberating around the room.

Once an acoustic plan has established an agreeable baseline of background noise, then we can apply acoustic Biophilic design by bringing in subtle nature sounds or other forms of white noise to mask noise from HVAC systems and elevator shafts. This may not be appropriate everywhere but can, for example, be applied in specific areas such as a reception or waiting area, or canteen.

Sounds of trickling water could be a fountain outside, allowing nature sounds from outside to come indoors, acoustic world music, ethnic, or traditional music from around the world especially drumming, those are all evolutionary aligned soundtracks that are likely to promote focus and drive without distracting.

Delos in the US, the company behind the WELL Certification for healthy buildings, amongst other things, recently launched a biophilic sounds and mindfulness app called MindBreaks that offers high-quality 3D audio to help you “Escape, Energize, Rest, Meditate, Focus and Inspire”.

Acoustic sound booths such as these ones we sourced for the HERO food group’s corporate offices in Switzerland can also be integrated into a Biophilia plan by selecting suitable colours for the acoustic fabrics inside, options for models with wood (or veneer) panelling, placing plants around the booths and generally ensuring they integrate smoothly into the overall workplace design.

Finally, music with lyrics can be distracting at least in a language that we understand and there is nothing worse in a workplace context than a playlist that prevents us from doing our best work each day but as a rule, acoustic, traditional and ethnic sounds are going to be especially good at filling the void in a workspace context without demanding too much of your mental focus and attention.

Whether that is a realistic game plan for 8-10 hours a day or not is up to you and your colleagues to decide, perhaps just as we move around a workplace for different tasks, having specific playlists (or indeed a ‘no music’ policy) that match those tasks, might be a sensible solution?

Scent in Biophilic design interiors

So, we mentioned the idea of forest bathing a corollary of Biophilic design in interiors. Forest phytoncides are a particular airborne substance given off by certain species of trees that has been shown in South East Korea to boost the human immune system too.

When combined with what we know about the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, it’s clear that aromatherapy has a role to play in a multi-sensory Biophilic design strategy. This strategy emphasizes the importance of sensory experience, incorporating all five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and even taste to create innovative and memorable environments. Adding layer upon layer of nature-inspired detail in a Biophilic interior concept can significantly enhance the sensory experience.

Invest in a high-quality pine or cypress oil for your home aromatherapy diffuser, perhaps combined with rosemary and peppermint to capture some of the same health benefits of spending time outside in a forest.

Think especially of how this could be done in a home office environment, for example, where a little Biophilic design can go a long way in creating a wellbeing interior geared for productivity and calm. The impact of sound in the workplace environment should also be considered, addressing both its positive and negative effects.

Equally, citrus oils such as bergamot and lemon are especially good for focus, followed by lavender later in the evening to help you wind down when the workday is done.

Texture in healthy interiors for sensory experience

Last but not least, let’s not forget the role of texture and sensory qualities in wellbeing interiors, as designing for all the senses with a carefully chosen natural fabric or finish with just the right amount of tactility can add an additional layer of nature-connectedness to a Biophilic design.

Man-made materials tend to be impossibly perfect compared to nature, so integrating natural materials such as wool, cork, wood and cotton in carefully selected places can invite a tactile interaction with the interiors. Plastic may be cheap and easy to clean but, at least from a Biophilic design perspective, it will never be able to compete with real wood or bamboo say.

We might imagine a decorative cork wall in an office reception for example such as those by Gencork or a textured jute rug by Nanimarquina in a home office inviting the user to spend time barefoot during the day.

Not all of the strategies need to be combined in every wellbeing interior but there is magic in integrating more than one of them as a way to add interest and intrigue…

Matt Morley 20/09/2021 Matt Morley 20/09/2021

how to create a healthy indoor environment — biofilico wellness interiors

How to create a healthy indoor environment using healthy materials, air-purifying techniques, biophilic design and other wellbeing design strategies.

Benefits Of Healthy Buildings — **Biophilic Design** **Display at Can Ikigai, Barcelona by Biofilico**

Describe Your Work in the Healthy Buildings and Workplace Wellness Space

I take a nature-oriented approach to health and wellbeing, focusing on the real estate and hospitality sectors, including offices, residences, gyms, and hotels, to create healthy indoor environments.

Biofilico offers creative design, interior consulting, and building certification services. We design wellbeing interiors ourselves or collaborate with architects, engineers, and project management as external advisors with specific briefs.

In every project, our aim is to enhance an interior’s mental and physical health by ensuring good indoor environment quality. Energy efficiency measures are integrated into our designs to ensure good indoor air quality and occupant health. Offices, homes, and hotels are now key areas of focus. Additionally, I work at a strategic level, helping real estate developers align their property developments with ESG principles.

Biofit, on the other hand, focuses specifically on wellness concepts, gym design, and wellbeing programs for hotels and workplaces.

Both businesses are intricately related to the spaces we spend our time in, aiming to ensure buildings are aligned with our health and the planet's wellbeing.

What is a ‘Sick Building’ Compared to a Healthy Building?

A sick building can manifest in various ways, including headaches, concentration problems, low energy levels, reduced cognitive function, high numbers of staff sick days, and other health problems.

In contrast, a healthy building that integrates wellbeing interior design and follows a global standard, such as the WELL Certification, promotes occupant mental and physical health. This involves construction or refurbishment, interior fit-out, and facilities management policies once the building is in use.

These wellbeing design principles can be applied both in the workplace and at home, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

What is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design bridges sustainability and human wellbeing in real estate and interiors. It involves nature-inspired design that brings the outside world in, providing positive benefits for both people and the planet.

Green building strategies focus on a building’s environmental impact, while healthy building strategies prioritize the wellbeing of its occupants. Biophilic design is multisensory, combining aesthetics with touch, smell, and sound, often involving natural patterns, textures, circadian lighting, and many plants.

Biophilic design can vary from clean, precise lines to neutral, calming tones and organic materials, showing its versatility. This design approach can enhance the indoor environmental quality, reducing the negative effects of poor indoor air quality.

How Does Biophilic Design Connect with Healthy Buildings?

Biophilic design is a key element of healthy buildings, which has gained prominence due to the increased time we spend indoors. The wellbeing of the workforce and its relation to the physical work environment is now more relevant than ever. This connection helps reduce health risks and improve occupant comfort.

What are the Health Benefits of Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design can increase productivity and concentration levels in workspaces and speed up patient recovery times. It’s gaining interest in sectors like senior living, as it helps in reducing health conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer.

Certain countries have doctors prescribing time in nature for stressed professionals. Biophilic design aims to capture the calming, energizing effects of nature in an indoor environment, benefiting us even as urbanization cuts us off from natural spaces.

Studies show that biophilic elements in hotel lobbies and office reception areas extend lingering time, making people feel comfortable and at ease. This is particularly important in urban areas where fresh air supply and outdoor air pollution are major concerns.

What Research Studies Prove the Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace?

In 2017, Biofilico was commissioned by EcoWorld Ballymore to create a Vitamin Nature recharge room in London’s Canary Wharf. This greenhouse space, full of air-purifying plants, natural light, and circadian lighting, provided a digital detox zone for 108 local workers.

The study showed significant improvements: 74% felt an improvement in mood, 87% felt less stressed, 83% felt more productive, and 87% felt more creative. These findings highlight the importance of creating healthy indoor environments that support human health and productivity.

What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?

Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial at home and work. Strategies include natural ventilation, air-purifying plants, and enhanced air conditioning filters like MERV13 for dust particles and carbon filters for VOCs. These strategies help mitigate the effects of indoor air pollution and airborne pollutants.

Commercial-grade air quality monitors provide detailed, real-time data, essential for any healthy building certification system like WELL.

How Does a Healthy Building Improve Air Quality?

Natural ventilation strategies require at least two windows open to create a passage of air from one part of the space to another. This gentle airflow connects you with the outside world in a multisensory way, preventing drowsiness and clearing out dust particles from the indoor air.

We can also work with plants to improve indoor air. A famous NASA study identified several plants that improve air quality, such as Spider plants, Chinese Evergreen, Boston ferns, Bamboo Palm, and ZZ plants. These plants remove CO2 by day and give off Oxygen at night, making them ideal for indoor use, including in bedrooms.

For workplace environments, facilities management or HR teams can request enhanced air conditioning filter systems. Carbon filters are good for VOCs, and MERV13 filters are effective for dust particles. This helps in maintaining a healthy indoor air quality and reducing airborne particles.

Monitoring air quality is essential when purifying the air in a healthy building. Commercial-grade air quality monitors are easy to install and are an essential piece of any healthy building certification system like WELL. These monitors provide real-time data that can be displayed to building occupants, enhancing transparency and awareness.

What are Healthy Materials in an Interior Affecting Indoor Air Quality?

Materials and finishes can release hazardous chemicals into the air. Preventing these chemicals is fundamental to ensuring a healthy indoor environment.

Choose natural materials like linen, cotton, jute, wood, wool, leather, bamboo, cork, clay, and bio-materials. Avoid plastics, synthetics, epoxies, and resins. Ensure material transparency by asking for ingredient lists and looking for third-party certifications like Cradle to Cradle.

By selecting healthy and non-toxic materials as part of an interior fit-out, we can limit the exposure occupants have to harmful chemicals, reducing health risks. Material transparency is key to ensuring a healthy indoor environment.

Matt Morley 15/09/2021 Matt Morley 15/09/2021

Q&A with a Biophilic Design Consultant: Healthy Building and Wellness Interiors — Biofilico

An interview with Matt Morley about his career path in real estate and hospitality to becoming a biophilic design and healthy building consultant specialising in wellbeing interiors for offices, residences and gyms.

How did you enter the field of wellbeing interiors, healthy buildings and biophilic design?

Biofilico’s Founder, Matt Morley at the creative workspace ‘Montoya’ in Barcelona, Spain

I spent 10 years with a mixed-use real estate developer and operator in what eventually became a Creative Director role delivering new business concepts. I’d work with the construction and development teams, as well as finance, marketing and operations, taking a sports bar, coworking space, business club, beach club or concept store from idea to reality.

It was an amazing learning experience for what would come later - effectively doing a similar thing but a boutique consultancy business and focusing specifically on green and healthy spaces, incorporating biophilic design principles.

Where did your interest in health, fitness, and mental health come from?

So in parallel with that 10-year process I’ve just describe my 7-10 hours per week of training starting to take on ever more importance in my life, especially as I was doing so much of it outdoors, immersed in nature, with minimal equipment.

I was also experimenting with standing desks, going barefoot, a low-carb Paleo diet and bringing the outside world in to my office and home. I aimed to bring nature into my living and working spaces to enhance wellbeing and productivity. Incorporating these elements into my living and working spaces helped to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. In other words, my life became a testing ground for these new ideas around workplace wellbeing, ancestral health and wellbeing interiors.

Do you remember the exact moment you first discovered biophilic design?

It was a very organic, intuitive process for me. This is so important to reiterate as a biophilic design expert - I got there by myself, using my own instinct and listening to my body, testing things out on myself and eventually coming to the conclusion that most indoor spaces devoid of the natural world were simply not happy, uplifting places for me to be. I realized that integrating biophilic principles, such as the use of natural elements and patterns, was essential to creating environments that promote wellbeing and productivity.

At that point, I knew I had to quit my job and make my own rules from then on. I needed to go to an extreme to understand what was out there, what was possible and what my body could feel if I went all-in on this approach for a while. I don’t think my then-girlfriend knew what on earth was going on by that point!

In other words, biophilic design was not something I studied, it was as if it came from inside of me first and all I had to do was recognize what was happening.

Of course, it helped to be immersed in real estate and interiors for my work at the same time, that was the magic mix that made it possible to become a wellbeing champion and biophilic design consultant later on.

What experts influenced you on the path to becoming a biophilic design consultant for real estate and hospitality?

Over time I worked out that there was a whole school of thought largely led by the US around how to actually do what I was talking about in a clear, structured way. Terrapin’s 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and Stephen Kellert’s The Practice of Biophilic Design were fundamental reference points. Their work highlights the proven benefits of biophilic design in promoting wellbeing, productivity, and creativity in living and working spaces.

How did you become a consultant in healthy interiors and biophilic design?

I set up my first company, Biofit, back in 2015 specializing in creating sustainable gyms and wellness concepts through biophilic interior design. Over time that evolved into a fitness advisory business working with hotel groups and corporates around Europe to create innovative wellness concepts, gym facilities and fitness programs. This work also emphasized the importance of the built environment in promoting overall wellbeing.

Originally I thought I was setting up my own natural fitness studio in London but several successful pivots led me to where I am today!

In 2018 I set-up my second business, Biofilico focusing on a wider market of wellbeing interiors and healthy building services. This is much more closely aligned with the work I was doing for the mixed-use developer / operator before becoming an entrepreneur.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to become a biophilic designer or wellbeing interiors expert?

My path is not the only path clearly, other people may be coming from an engineering background, architecture or sustainability but to do this you really need to have a solid understanding of real estate, construction and how buildings are made.

Otherwise you’re going to struggle to put yourself in the shoes of your clients, to understand what their objectives are and how best to help them get there.

If you intend to be an independent consultant in biophilic design, wellbeing interiors, or indeed healthy buildings, you’ll need some certifications to show for it to, so studying for at least one if not several certification systems is a really good place to start. Certifications like WELL, LEED, and Living Future are essential for demonstrating expertise in biophilic design. Interior designers play a crucial role in integrating biophilic design concepts into interior spaces, significantly impacting mental health.

Additionally, biophilic design consultants often work alongside architects, engineers, lighting designers, acoustics consultants, and client representatives, emphasizing the collaborative nature of these projects.

Biophilic design research study for The Wardian - an EcoWorld Ballymore residential development in London’s Canary Wharf

What prompted you to do your own research studies into biophilic design and natural elements in London?

We were commissioned by a real estate developer called EcoWorld Ballymore to take over a space of theirs by the river in Canary Wharf, London’s business district for a 4-week residency.

We created a mini biophilic workspace in small glass building, turning it into a creative meeting room right by the water full of air-purifying plants to improve indoor air quality. We also integrated natural elements such as natural light, plants, and water to enhance the connection between the built and natural environments, creating a healthier built environment. A team from the University of Essex then created a scientific research questionnaire for us as a ‘before and after’ questionnaire for office workers during their visit to our ‘recharge room’ full of Vitamin Nature. (see the full report here)

In total 108 people spent about an hour in that biophilic green space designed for mental wellbeing, and we saw very positive results for key indicators such as productivity, creativity, nature-connectedness, stress and anxiety levels, even concentration.

So, a ‘recharge room’ or office ‘quiet space’ can become especially interesting when we layer in biophilic design as a way to give purpose and meaning to for example an unused office.

Maybe there is room for a little yoga and stretching in there too, or maybe not but let’s be clear - mental health in the workplace has never been more important than it is today.

This type of nurturing space in an office environment may seem a mismatch but in fact it can be a tangible help for HR departments looking to recruit and retain top talent by ensuring they have a happy and healthy workforce.

Matt Morley 26/08/2021 Matt Morley 26/08/2021

Biophilic Design and Wellbeing Interiors- an evolutionary perspective

A lot of the same principles are at the root of biophilic design, wellbeing interiors and healthy buildings. Here we explore the synergies between these distinct but ultimately complementary concepts.

A lot of the same principles are at the root of biophilic design, wellbeing interiors and healthy buildings. Here we explore the synergies between these distinct but ultimately complementary concepts.

Q. What is your personal background?

Matt Morley: I come from a real estate development background. I was a creative director for real estate developer for many years, from there grew a passion in what we could call healthy buildings or what's often described as wellbeing design in the real estate sector.

In parallel with that I was always heavily into nature and spending time outside and looking for natural alternatives to what I was doing indoors, so if we put that all into a shaker, the cocktail that comes out is this company Biofilico.

I started with gyms under the Biofit moniker, that remains a highly specialized business providing consultancy services to hotel groups and real estate businesses on creating green, healthy gym spaces with style.

It's a very niche market, but there's a market for it, and it's been growing steadily over the last five or six years I’m glad to say.

Q. How did you move into the workplace and residential sectors?

I noticed that there were adjacent categories where applying the same principles of how you to create a healthy building or biophilic space could be of value.

So I soon started working on office projects and more recently residential, as well as hotels.

Q: How do you think about healthy interior spaces?

For me it all goes back to our evolutionary history which is obviously so much longer and more extensive than the history we have of living indoors in centrally heated, air conditioned, electrically illuminated environments.

This post-industrial age is just a tiny blip in our evolutionary history over the last call it three and a half million years or 200,000 years if we're going back to the start of Homosapiens. No matter how you look at it, our ancestors spent a long ,long time surviving out in nature, that's our DNA, that’s what our genetic make-up is still equipped for but contemporary lifestyles are largely disconnected from that. For better or worse.

For me, that's where biophilic design comes by in trying to realign our indoor environments with the natural world and our evolutionary past.

Q: How do you define biophilia and biophilic design?

There are two versions for that. There's the version that you will read online that says either Eric Fromm or E.O. Wilson coined the term but for me all they were doing was giving a name to the innate connection that we all have as human beings to nature. They didn’t invent anything as such.

Biophilic design then takes that a step further by bringing it indoors, into the modern world and the realities of life today where we spend most of our time in some form of built environment.

When I talk about it I'm very much pushing the idea of biophilic design bridging two worlds, between green buildings and healthy buildings.

A lot of the work for LEED or BREEAM building certifications is focused on the environment while WELL and FITWEL building certifications zero in on the human aspect of buildings and interiors, the health and wellbeing side. Together, that gives us people and planet.

Healthy spaces are more to do with the people, the inhabitants or occupants and the users while the planet angle is more related to impact on raw materials, pollution, and so on, Biophilic design combines elements of the two, so a natural environment that is both healthy for the people who spend time in it but also healthy for the planet in terms of its impact on the world around us.

Biophilic design joins the dots between nature, human health and environmental wellbeing.

Q. What are the key principles of wellbeing design?

One key component is indoor air quality - here we are working to purify the air via enhancements to the ventilation system’s filters for example but it is also about the materials and finishes introduced into that space during the fit-out. Are they natural, non-chemical materials or are they materials containing plastics of chemical treatments for example, such as flame retardants?

There's a lot of interesting research out there about the mental aspect as well so if air quality is about physical wellbeing in one sense it is also a way to boost mental performance, through productivity and concentration levels. It is a way to improve how office workers perform during the day or how residents sleep at night. So producing in one sense and recovering in another, both linked to the indoor air quality.

Then we have light quality - having a connection to nature with a view out onto plants, greenery or a landscape will serve to exposure you to certain color spectrums of light at certain times of day. This can be supplemented with smart lights indoors that produce the ‘right kind’ of blue-white light during the day time before softening to a more amber tone towards the end of the day.

Philips Hue bulbs are great. I've been using them for a few years, but there are others out there now too. It's a relatively simple system, you don't have to have it set up to your Wi Fi network if you decide you want everything grounded and you want to avoid EMF risks, but that's a separate topic!

These lights serve as my alarm in the mornings so I wake with a replica of sunlight that slowly increases over a 30-minute period in what is hopefully my pitch black bedroom - to promote deep sleep and recovery.

Q: What air-purifying plants do you recommend?

It's relatively easy to find air-purifying plants that can be kept indoors with indirect light and they'll do a lot of good in terms of taking out the bad stuff, and pumping oxygen back into your home, for more Oxygen and less CO2.

Air-purifiers simply enhance and improve that same process, as plants can only do so much alone given the quality of inner-city air nowadays! The key is to go big, don’t hold back on your plant strategy, aim for six to eight plants per person in a room of say, 25m2

If you live in a remote location, if you're living in the middle of the woods or mountains, that's one thing. If you're in the middle of a city then I tend to hack that scenario a little bit with an air purifier running during the night. In other words, a combination of wellness tech and natural solutions is best.

In terms of plant species, my go-to species is the ‘ZZ’ plant as they're really resistant. They do a lot of good for you as well so I recommend those in your home especially.

For a home gym, garage gym or garden gym, space is probably limited so your floor space is at a premium, here I'm looking for low maintenance plants while keeping my floor space free for training activities like crawling, running, jumping, and so on. Generally, potted plants on the floor in your gym is a bad idea, especially if cats and dogs are in the mix as well.

Q: How do you use wabi-sabi design in wellbeing interiors?

This is a Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection. So imagine an organic apple, perhaps not the best looking, it may not be perfect but it is going to taste 100 times better than one that has been genetically modified to look ‘perfect’. The organic apple is full of vitamins and is far closer to an apple as nature intended it to be.

So wabi-sabi design can have a patina of age, curves instead of right angles, or a wobbly edge to a handcrafted ceramic plate for example.

Q: What healthy materials do you work with most often?

I always try to recommend a non-toxic, chemical and VOC-free paint for interior walls. There's this whole world of eco-friendly paints out there now, for example from the likes of Graphenstone or Lakeland, both fine examples of what is possible today from a sustainability perspective. Some paints can even absorb unwanted gases and chemicals that might be coming out of the plastics in your furniture.

Flooring is another key area to focus on for healthy materials. There's lots of high quality rubber and cork gym floor options out there that are generally much better than some of the cheaper flooring tile solutions, if natural wood, bamboo or stone is not within the realms of possibility budget-wise.

Q: What segments of the real estate market do you expect to see biophilic design impacting in future?

At the moment I'm looking at example at two different projects around the ‘senior living’ space. So, what I see is that post-COVID there's a huge spike in demand in advisory services on healthy materials as well as projects aimed at creating healthy indoor environments, and where better to do that than in a health clinic or residential development for seniors?

There are different concerns according to the specific project type but what makes it interesting is that they all join up and overlap in the end, at least in terms of my consultancy briefs.

Biofilico's Guide to Creating Interior Spaces that Positively Impact Mental and Physical Health by leveraging neuroaesthetics

Neuro-aesthetics in wellness interior design

The Key Principles of Neuro-Aesthetics

1. Harmony and Balance

2. Biophilic Design

3. Color Psychology

4. Texture and Material Selection

The Scientific Evidence for Neuro-Aesthetics

1. The Impact of Visual Complexity

2. Stress Reduction through Nature

3. Color and Cognitive Performance

4. Sensory Design and Well-Being

Biophilic Interior Design in the Art and Science of Neuro-Aesthetics

The Art of Connection

The Science of Well-Being

The Symbiosis of Biophilic Design and Neuro-Aesthetics

Sensory Design for mental and physical health of builing occupants

Conclusion: using neuro-aesthetics for wellness focused interior design

Introduction to Healthy Coworking Spaces

what are the benefits of healthy workplaces and coworking space designs?

What is the meaning of co-working space design?

What explains the trend in flexible work spaces?

What is the difference between a business Centre or shared office space and a coworking space?

Flexible contracts

Community aspect

What is workspace design in the context of the current coworking trend?

design for your target audience

What are the principles for designing a healthy coworking office space?

Acoustics

Biophilic design

Other design considerations

How do you plan a coworking space design?

ergonomics

What is an example of healthy co-work space design by Biofilico?

Ozana Business Club, Porto Montenegro

Innovation Centre, Porto Montenegro

examples of co-working offices with workplace wellness design and healthy interiors

benefits of healthy indoor environment and wellbeing interior design in coworking spaces?

research studies

what studies exist proving the benefits for productivity and concentration from working in a biophilic office environment?

what other case studies exist for integrating biophilic design principles in a coworking office space?

how do Second Home coworking offices use biophilic design?

What are the main services provided by flexible workplace providers for improved mental wellbeing of its members?

Further Reading

a basic introduction to Interior design for wellness

what are wellness design services?

health and fitness

safety and security

accessibility

functionality

comfort and joy

Health and fitness in healthy building design and interiors

healthy living habits

Safety and Security in wellness architecture

Accessibility in mindful design of interiors

Functionality as a feature of wellness design

Comfort and joy in wellbeing design

organic interiors and healthy materials

active design interiors and human-centric design

biophilic design and natural light in interiors

multi-sensory design for wellbeing

Talking Circular Design with Soma Studio Milano - advisors, trend forecasters and content producers focused on the circular economy

a conversation on circular design for the Green & Healthy Places podcast

what are the circular design principles?

the role of waste in circular design

Circular design in real estate and interiors

Waste is a resource in design

Closed loop cycles in design

Recycled plastics and bio-based materials

Wellbeing interior design trend

Biophilic design in buildings and interiors

Wellness tech in eco wellbeing interiors

Talking healthy materials, circular economy principles, biophilic design and Life Cycle Assessments with Benchmark Furniture, in Berkshire, UK.

our workshop considers both People and Planet, our carbon footprint and the transparency of our materials

here we are on a redundant farm, employing more people than the farm ever did in agriculture in high quality artisanal jobs

We produced the first wooden furniture in the world that had fully verified lifecycle assessments

I hope a time will come when we will base taxation of products, not on an arbitrary figure of the of the pecuniary value but on their carbon cost

How to use light, sound, scent and texture in multisensory Biophilic design for wellbeing benefits

What is wellbeing interior design?

Natural light in healthy indoor environments