Biophilia (bī-ō-ˈfi-lē-ə) n.
The inherent affinity of human beings for other forms of life in nature; a drive or tendency to commune with nature
In the 1980s, renowned biologist Edward O. Wilson put forth a theory: because humanity has evolved for more than 99% of its history in adaptive response to the natural world, we’re biologically encoded to seek connection with nature. Though Wilson’s “biophilic hypothesis” is, at its core, a philosophical idea, an ever-growing body of research bears it out, suggesting that biophilic design — design that reconnects people to the natural environment — offers significant personal, environmental and economic benefits.
The Benefits of Biophilic Design
Learn more about each of the benefits of biophilic design:
Mental Health Benefits
Studies have shown that exposure to plants reduces stress and improves mood and self-esteem, two key indicators of mental health. It also helps us work better, increasing focus and productivity and helping produce better-quality work by boosting cognition and memory performance.
Physical Health Benefits
A landmark 1984 study found that hospital patients whose bedside windows looked out on leafy trees had shorter stays, needed less pain medication and had fewer post-surgical complications than patients who instead saw a brick wall. Other studies have found that spending time in nature dramatically boosts immune function, thanks in part to plants’ emission of self-protective phytoncides, airborne chemicals that also seem to benefit people.
The stress reduction properties of plants are in part owed to improved acoustics. Noise pollution and poor acoustics are linked to negative physical and psychological impacts, including elevated adrenaline levels and increased risk of heart-related problems. An exterior living wall or green roof helps minimize noise pollution from outside, whilst interior plants help to absorb sound traveling within a building.
Finally, phytoremediation refers to the use of plants and associated soil microbes to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environment — in other words, it’s the ability of plants to “clean” or remediate the surrounding air, soil or water. Research suggests that indoor plants might improve indoor air quality, reducing concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, cancer-causing volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.
Did you know? According to NASA 50-65% of the air purification properties of plants are found in the soil microbes of the plant’s rootball. A healthy thriving rootball is a key component to why Wallemi uses a felt and soil system because we know using proven horticultural growing methods means cleaner air and healthier living environments for you.
Economic Benefits
Though biophilic design requires an initial investment, there are significant longer-term economic gains to be reaped from incorporating nature into stores, offices and other urban spaces. A number of studies have shown that plants are good for business, positively influencing shoppers’ perception of the value and quality of a store’s products. Other benefits relate to productivity gains. Workers with higher-quality work environments, including views of the outdoors, are more productive, take fewer sick days and feel more positive about coming to work. One study estimated that increased productivity through biophilic workplace design has the potential to contribute $470 million in economic benefits in New York City.
Sustainability
Green infrastructure like outdoor living walls and green roofs reduces the environmental footprint of buildings by cleaning the air, mitigating the extremes of the urban heat island effect and contributing to biodiversity as a habitat for birds, bees and insects. Because of these benefits, it can check off a number of credit categories in LEED and other green building ratings, which can in turn mean higher property values, faster lease-up rates and incentives like tax rebates.
Sustainable building design minimizes the impact of buildings on the environment but often does little to foster a relationship with nature — the missing piece of the puzzle in environmental stewardship. Green walls and other indoor and outdoor gardens raise awareness of biodiversity and ecosystems, nurturing this connection even as we spend more and more time indoors, and they’re increasingly being introduced to schools, museums and other educational settings to great positive effect.
Our living wall structures are designed and built sustainably, requiring few to no repairs, minimal plant replacement and minimal water and resources. Picture plant life and trees growing off the side of a mountain or rock wall — our living walls are meant to mimic this sustainable and resourceful growth.
Studies have shown that exposure to plants reduces stress and improves mood and self-esteem, two key indicators of mental health. It also helps us work better, increasing focus and productivity and helping produce better-quality work by boosting cognition and memory performance.
A landmark 1984 study found that hospital patients whose bedside windows looked out on leafy trees had shorter stays, needed less pain medication and had fewer post-surgical complications than patients who instead saw a brick wall. Other studies have found that spending time in nature dramatically boosts immune function, thanks in part to plants’ emission of self-protective phytoncides, airborne chemicals that also seem to benefit people.
The stress reduction properties of plants are in part owed to improved acoustics. Noise pollution and poor acoustics are linked to negative physical and psychological impacts, including elevated adrenaline levels and increased risk of heart-related problems. An exterior living wall or green roof helps minimize noise pollution from outside, whilst interior plants help to absorb sound traveling within a building.
Finally, phytoremediation refers to the use of plants and associated soil microbes to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environment — in other words, it’s the ability of plants to “clean” or remediate the surrounding air, soil or water. Research suggests that indoor plants might improve indoor air quality, reducing concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, cancer-causing volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.
Did you know? According to NASA 50-65% of the air purification properties of plants are found in the soil microbes of the plant’s rootball. A healthy thriving rootball is a key component to why Wallemi uses a felt and soil system because we know using proven horticultural growing methods means cleaner air and healthier living environments for you.
Though biophilic design requires an initial investment, there are significant longer-term economic gains to be reaped from incorporating nature into stores, offices and other urban spaces. A number of studies have shown that plants are good for business, positively influencing shoppers’ perception of the value and quality of a store’s products. Other benefits relate to productivity gains. Workers with higher-quality work environments, including views of the outdoors, are more productive, take fewer sick days and feel more positive about coming to work. One study estimated that increased productivity through biophilic workplace design has the potential to contribute $470 million in economic benefits in New York City.
Green infrastructure like outdoor living walls and green roofs reduces the environmental footprint of buildings by cleaning the air, mitigating the extremes of the urban heat island effect and contributing to biodiversity as a habitat for birds, bees and insects. Because of these benefits, it can check off a number of credit categories in LEED and other green building ratings, which can in turn mean higher property values, faster lease-up rates and incentives like tax rebates.
Sustainable building design minimizes the impact of buildings on the environment but often does little to foster a relationship with nature — the missing piece of the puzzle in environmental stewardship. Green walls and other indoor and outdoor gardens raise awareness of biodiversity and ecosystems, nurturing this connection even as we spend more and more time indoors, and they’re increasingly being introduced to schools, museums and other educational settings to great positive effect.
Our living wall structures are designed and built sustainably, requiring few to no repairs, minimal plant replacement and minimal water and resources. Picture plant life and trees growing off the side of a mountain or rock wall — our living walls are meant to mimic this sustainable and resourceful growth.
Projects
Our gardens are distinguished by their vibrant health, rich biodiversity and resourceful growth. We hope they speak for themselves.
