What’s Biophilic Design?
Biophilic Design is our innate human tendency to create close connections with nature by designing environments inspired by nature. It’s an innovative way of designing the places where we live, work, and learn. We rely upon and benefit from nature in a deep and fundamental way, but traditionally we have designed our cities and suburbs in ways that both degrade the environment and alienate us from the natural world that sustains us.
Air Quality Today
Air quality has become a global crisis. Billions of dollars are being spent each year on cleaning and improving air quality, as well as on the numerous health side effects caused by air pollution. Additionally, many modern-day buildings can also have toxic levels of chemical particulate in the air, including formaldehyde, acetone, and ammonia. These chemicals and pollutants in the air can be a contributing factor to many health and mental illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, headaches, and anxiety, irritation, impacts the respiratory system as well as the reproductive system and other major organs. Luckily, having more plants around can help purify the air for all types of environments. Scientists have shown that plants in large enough quantities, think living walls, have the ability to filter out certain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that are present in our indoor air.
How Plants & Clean Air Quality Can Help in Many Ways
Did you know that living walls and plants can improve our quality of life? Studies have shown that being in nature or exposed to plants and fresh air can increase productivity by 20%. Big companies such as Amazon, Google & Etsy have implemented biophilic design and more plants into their global headquarters so their workers can gain numerous benefits. Not only do plants help with improved work productivity, but studies have also shown that being in nature lowers blood pressure and improves stress response. Being in a well-ventilated green environment can also increase memory, improve brain function, and balanced emotions by allowing more oxygen to the brain and body.
Plant Benefits for the Community & Society as a Whole
It is no wonder that we are naturally drawn to having more plants and natural elements incorporated into our atmosphere. It is helpful for us both as individuals and as a whole. The well-being of our society and the communities we live in also greatly benefit from having more plants and natural elements incorporated into the built environment. Studies have shown that crime is reduced where there is more greenery and parks with plants. Some hospitals have incorporated biophilic design into their architecture due to the healing benefits it provides. It has also been proven that simply having a window that has a view of nature or sunlight, or having access to plants and fresh air can help patients heal faster and experience improved moods.
How Living Walls Can Maximize Plant Benefits
With high levels of urbanization and population density in many commercialized and developing cities, space and the time to care for many of one’s plants can be limited. Vertical gardens offer the perfect solution for having the maximum amount of plants for a limited amount of space and help to decrease the time needed for maintenance. It is a perfect way to incorporate more plants and greenery into your space while also maintaining a more busy lifestyle. Living walls can allow for full coverage of plants in a designated space, whether it be in an entryway, hallway, kitchen, backyard, office, or patio. It’s a great and efficient way to improve quality of life while creating a healthy and beautiful living atmosphere.
