Beyond aesthetics: How office greenery enhances productivity and health

Whether in your office full-time or adopting a hybrid working method, office layouts have gone beyond a bare shell filled with desks. As companies look for new ways to make their offices more sustainable and teams more productive, these factors have had a considerable influence when choosing office space.

Nature plays a crucial role in our well-being. It bolsters our mental and physical health and purifies the air we breathe. Moreover, integrating natural elements into office decor offers visual pleasure. Biophilic design, which refers to the incorporation of nature-inspired elements in interior spaces, has gained traction in numerous office settings. Including pot plants or a vibrant living wall can enhance our productivity and soothe our minds in effective, surprising ways.

Calm and Creativity

Research conducted by the University of Exeter has revealed that simply adding office plants can increase productivity by an impressive 15%. Surveys indicate that employees working in greener, more inviting environments experience heightened job satisfaction and improved concentration levels. Furthermore, Wageningen University & Research findings suggest that introducing plants into the workplace can reduce absenteeism linked to sick leave, mainly due to the improved air quality associated with greenery.

The creative benefits of plants are equally noteworthy, particularly during the early stages of idea generation and development. According to a study by a team of Danish scientists, nature plays a pivotal role in fostering creativity. Additionally, mental health organisations like Mind and the Samaritans advocate for the therapeutic effects of outdoor environments, promoting them as tools for achieving tranquillity and mental fortitude.

This positive impact of plants may stem from their slow-growing nature, which encourages patience, or from the nurturing aspect involved in caring for a living organism. It could also be related to the vibrant life and energy they infuse into stark, lifeless corners of our workplaces. The correlation between greenery and health has been acknowledged throughout history, tracing back to ancient civilisations. However, amid the evolution of design trends and workplace models, this knowledge dwindled for a time. Thankfully, the resurgence of biophilic design has reintroduced these vital elements into modern office culture.

Setting the Environment

Initially, biophilic design emerged as an architectural movement focused on elements like natural light, expansive views, and adequate ventilation. While those three features remain foundational, the contemporary interpretation increasingly emphasises plant shapes, colours, and their many benefits. A prime example is Amazon's investment in a vast greenhouse for their employees situated in downtown Seattle. This innovative space allows staff to enjoy peaceful moments amidst an environment rich with four stories of waterfalls, fish tanks, terrariums, and an impressive collection of over 40,000 plants.

Similarly, Microsoft has provided its employees with unique treetop conference rooms nestled within a tranquil pine forest, part of a broader initiative to develop technology-enabled outdoor work districts.

For smaller-scale implementations, biophilic design principles can be realised by thoughtfully selecting a variety of office plants, each chosen for their ability to purify the air, introduce movement, and even create soothing sounds. The Snake plant (Sansevieria laurentii) is particularly effective at removing harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and carbon monoxide—substances often found in new office furniture. Peace lilies and ferns are excellent choices for enhancing air quality, while Monstera plants and indoor trees can lend a sense of grandeur and texture to otherwise bland spaces.

In addition to plant life, other methods can enhance the biophilic experience. Utilising natural materials and art pieces can evoke a sense of being in nature, even when the office is far removed from any outdoor landscape. Moreover, modern offices increasingly turn to soundscapes—incorporating soothing sounds such as falling rain or gentle ocean waves—to elevate mood and stimulate creativity.

Finding a serviced office space that provides everything you need so you can focus on running your business shouldn't be difficult. With IWG, we make it easy to get set up quickly. You can even customise your office space for a personal touch on everything from furniture to branding, tech and storage options.

"Every business works uniquely, with no one-size-fits-all office space layout. Whether considering an open-plan office for collaboration or needing dedicated desks for highly focused work, a serviced office space can work according to your needs. You can also create a personalised workspace that matches your business needs with the ability to truly work your way in one of our custom- made offices into which we always consider the biophilic concept", says Joanne Bushell, MD IWG, South Africa

Embracing biophilic design not only enhances the visual appeal of workspaces but also significantly contributes to employees' overall health and productivity. By integrating nature into the workplace, organisations can create environments that inspire, refresh, and rejuvenate their teams.

About IWG

IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic values for businesses of every size, from some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. They all harness the power of IWG’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.

IWG’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries, and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer bases. Through our brands, including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We provide the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services, all available via the IWG app. For more information

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