People often meet a building’s lobby first when entering, whether it’s an office, a hotel, or a residential complex. As a person who’s been very involved in biophilic design for years, I’ve seen how integrating nature into this crucial space can enhance dramatically the experience of anybody coming in. A lobby becomes very much a twofold entrance. It is the truly public side of a building, and it also sculpts the movement into the private side. So, it is a brilliant place to offer up biophilia. And yet I said previously that most lobbies in the world do not offer this experience, and this is true of many lobbies in many contexts.
Why a Biophilic Lobby Holds the Keys to First Impressions
The lobby is even more crucial than I previously stated. It is the first part of the building inhabitants experience, and that experience radiates throughout the perception of the other spaces within the building. If the calm, comforting essence of nature does not have much pull for you, then consider this: Beauty is a universal way to gain and hold attention, and the visual power of biophilic design can allow your lobby to be memorable for all the right reasons.
An unforgettable project I worked on involved the design of a corporate lobby in a dense urban area. The challenge was to create an entrance that could counteract the overwhelming noise and stress of the nearby city streets. We started, of course, with the building’s architecture. Then we added large, serene works of art. And, in a stroke of genius, we hired the lobby’s first “living” artist, Professor Gustavo M. Fins in Horticultural Sciences, to create an actual living wall. Fins grew huge, lush green plants (like ferns and philodendrons) in various shapes and sizes to create a vertical garden that staggered light and relief like a bossanova rhythm. No one could walk past without smiling and freshly inhaling; it had become a secret garden not only for employees but for our artist as well.
A hotel lobby can send a clear message about sustainability and mindfulness. In a recent commission for a hotel lobby, we made its centerpiece—the reception desk—out of reclaimed wood. We also used the same material to make the accent furniture around the desk and guests’ seating areas. This not only sent a powerful, performative message of sustainability, given that the hotel is situated in such a prominent public space, but also provided a wonderful, warm, organic feel to the lobby. Guests have often remarked upon this, with eco endeavors on their minds, as being extremely inviting and quite the opposite of the cold, lifeless, and “wake up to your carbon footprint” experience of so many contemporary commercial spaces.
The lobbies of biophilic buildings significantly affect the atmosphere and productivity of the people who spend time in them. I have collaborated with a number of companies that improved their employee satisfaction numbers just by making their lobbies more biophilic. In one office building, for example, we took the existing lobby and swapped out the wall behind the reception desk for a floor-to-ceiling window. Instead of looking out onto a bland urban streetscape, the people in the lobby could now gaze onto a beautifully landscaped outdoor space. Hearing the birds from the speaker system was just a little extra touch that we threw in there to boost the biophilia factor.
These instances demonstrate that a nature-infused lobby has much more at stake than mere aesthetics; it is, in fact, a way to be biophilic with a terrific return on investment. Beyond the more obvious and often-cited reasons (that nature is good for our health, well-being, and productivity), there is something even more basic at work. In something as simple as a lobby, in a “wayfinding” sense, nature provides a figure against which the ground leaves can better serve as a background.
Biophilic lobbies are quite the opposite of the plain, monotonous, and even intimidating spaces that so many corporate lobbies present. They are engaging, lively, even exhilarating. They sing with delight, and they put a smile in your heart. Oh yes, they *are* getting built. I have heard the excited chatter of architects and designers in conference rooms at the biophilic design workshops that I have led over the years—conferences where lots of *participants creatively debate* how best to achieve a particular effect in a specific space.
Biophilic Design: Using Earthy Elements in the Lobby One of the most effective means of conveying biophilia in a lobby is through the use of natural materials. I’ve witnessed (and also experienced) how stone, wood, and other organic textures can transform not just the appearance but the very essence of a space. There’s a reason design professionals and clients alike have gravitated toward these components; something about them feels right and looks even righter. Non-industrialized materials—cobbled together in a thoughtful way—really do seem to ground a place and convey an enhanced sense of well-being for those who inhabit it.
A recent project allowed us to use natural stone and wood to create an unexpected design for the lobby of a healthcare facility. Unlike most minimalist lobbies suffused with artificial light, our nature-inspired design harnessed stone wall panels, bamboo flooring, Art Deco lighting fixtures, and large pieces of furniture. Though these materials lacked texture, they gave the interior an enveloping quality. The stone wall panels suggested nature forming a protective barrier. When we used art to fill the negative space, it became a hybrid of welcome and wedge. Bathed in light, the lobby may have felt like an entrance to an art gallery.
I have also discovered that using reclaimed and sustainable materials can have a profound effect in creating biophilic lobbies. One particular project that showcases this was for a large co-working space that was in need of a lobby redesign. We took reclaimed barn wood and created not only the stunning centerpiece for the lobby but also unique wall installations and custom seating that made use of the wood’s many distinctive characteristics. And while the theme of “natural” materials was important, I would argue that the real theme of this space was “community.” That’s what those imperfections in the wood told me.
The Natural Light: Making the Space Bright and Improving Health
Another fundamental aspect is biophilic design, and its presence in the lobby is extraordinary. I have worked on numerous projects wherein the introduction of biophilic design, particularly in relation to natural light, transformed the lobby space into a much more hospitable and pleasing area. Biophilic architecture and design are about humans and our inborn connection to nature. One of my favorite projects, where I used biophilic principles, was a lobby redesign for a residential building that had pretty much no access to natural light. We put a large skylight over the central seating area, and I was completely blindsided by the huge impact that single change made. The light, and the presence of more “sky,” completely altered the feel of the space. Comments from residents confirmed the lobby redesign as a true BRIGHT IDEA!
Natural light can greatly enhance a space, but there are creative ways to replicate its effects when this is not an option. I have used fixtures that throw off light temperatures and colors similar to sunlight, which I place as if to create a solar path throughout the space. When these are used in tandem with naturally reflective materials, like glass or stone, the illusion of a sun-bathed space is, for most practical purposes, achieved. Biophilic design is all about incorporating daylight effects and the living world into the very bones of our architecture. Plants, in one form or another, play a huge part in this. Whether in small, large, or wall-mounted forms, greenery is really the elixir of life that can coalesce a space.
An office lobby biophilic design project that I recently completed seamlessly integrated several different plant species, including ferns, palms, and succulents, into the space. Each plant was selected because it would perform well under the interior conditions of light and temperature found in the lobby and for its air-purifying abilities. Although their aesthetic contribution was significant, the plants were chosen primarily because they would improve the indoor air quality and experience, which is a critical consideration in any high-traffic area, especially a lobby through which people enter and leave. The clients perceived benefits almost immediately. The employees said that in just the very short time since the lobby had been redesigned, it felt “fresher” and ” more vibrant,” with “no lingering smell of construction dust.”
For a recent project with a boutique hotel, we installed a narrow wall of water behind the reception desk. As guests entered, they were greeted by the soothing sound of trickling water, creating an almost immediate sense of relaxation. When installing living elements, such as a water wall, it’s crucial to consider not just what will work in a space, but also what kind of furniture and fixtures will echo the shapes and sounds of nature. Biophilic design, at its most basic level, is about helping our interiors mimic the kind of truly restorative environments we find in the great outdoors. One easy way to do this is to use what are known as “natural analogues”—the kinds of shapes we associate with nature. I think of these as “nature letters,” which provide a text (or context) for really understanding biophilic design.
These subtle allusions to nature’s geometry help reinforce the biophilic theme, making the lobby space feel more harmonious and inviting. From personal experience, I know the most rewarding biophilic lobbies are those that balance their derived elements in a way that feels organic rather than forced. It’s about creating moments within the space where one might be prompted to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the world outside—or, in the case of a lobby, with the world as it passes by just outside the curtain wall. I’ve worked on a few of these rewarding lobbies; I’ve also worked on some that, by all appearances, didn’t do one darn thing for anybody’s return on investment.
These ideas can help you implement biophilic design regardless of whether you’re starting from scratch or already working in a particular space. One of the most effective and straightforward methods for introducing biophilia to a lobby is to realize the potential of using greenery. When I think about lobbies in relation to biophilic design, I believe they are prime opportunities to bring in nature and the natural world largely and effectively.
One option is to install a living wall. A living wall is a vertical garden that can be installed on a large surface, like a wall or more expansive lobby space. If the lobby you’re working in has high ceilings or wall space to spare, a living wall offers a perfect opportunity to bring in biophilia in a big way. I’ve found that living walls become immediate focal points, acting as something of a “hey, look over here!” visual prompt, drawing all eyes to the rich plant life carpeting the near-vertical surface.
If your entry lobby is too small or full of too much program for a living wall, place your plants in a way that gives the same effect. Consider using half of the plant types described above; use the other half for hanging plants, which is what I did in the lobby of a rendering I just sent to a residential client. Use floor pots to nestle large leafy plants like fiddle-leaf figs and peace lilies into corners of the lobby. The plants might not make the air between your lobbies and elevators germ-free, but they do have an effect. A peace lily’s presence could reduce the amount of harmful germs and toxins—like formaldehyde and benzene—that are known to exist in apartment buildings.
Elicit the Outdoors Using Simple Natural Color Schemes
One of the simplest ways to employ biophilic design in a lobby is by using beautiful, natural colors. Color palettes inspired by the great outdoors are a no-brainer for biophilic design. Greens, blues, browns, and earthy neutrals are tried-and-true colors that have long been used to evoke natural beauty and stimulate the kind of serene, calming atmosphere that any lobby should want to provide. But color, like all design elements, should be used intentionally and should tell a story. I have worked with clients to select color schemes that reflect their personalities while also staying true to the biophilic principles of good color design. One corporate client of mine used a ridiculous amount of energy and resources “marching up the wall” to get the LEED Platinum credential. Their lobby needed to reflect that commitment to sustainability right down to the color of the walls.
It is fundamental to consider color’s interactions with both materials and lighting when working with it. For the coastal hotel lobby, another project of ours, we used a water-inspired palette, soft blues and sandy beiges, that mimicked the ocean and shore. These colors—alongside large windows that let in natural light, and just as importantly, natural color—formed a tranquil, breezy feel that immediately put guests at ease. Colors steeped in naturalism also have a carry-along psychophysical impact—greens and blues especially are known to promote relaxation and reduce something we all have in abundance: stress. Lobbies are high-stakes first impression spaces. By using color to project a natural, earthy vibe, you considerably increase the chances that space will be a calming, positive preface to whatever experience follows.
Make Water Features Part of a Multisensory Experience
Biophilic design enhances our innate connection to nature and has proven benefits for our health and well-being. Water features take biophilic design in a particular direction, which is to appeal to our senses. Water does things for our bodies and brains that other features simply can’t. For starters, water makes sound, and sound is a powerful carrier of messages and experiences. The low, constant gurgling sound of water, for instance, tends to be more pleasing and healthful than either extreme in the loudness or quietness of a space. Still, water has other properties. Viewing it can have a deep psychological impact. There’s a reason why, in all of human history, civilizations have settled alongside rivers and lakes. Hearing, seeing, and touching water—its movement and lack of movement—can tap into very primal neural circuits that deal with space and time.
For budgetary or spatial reasons, the kind of large aquatic installation that mesmerized my colleagues and me in the main lobby of the hospital isn’t feasible in every lobby renovation. Our still waters run deep (to a point, and with a reasonable price tag) in the acoustically enhanced, more modest wall fountain from which mountings for two green living walls—”living” in the sense that they are home to plants (and lots of them) that help purify the air—we hung right next to another couple of reimagined water features, in the form of two large aquarium-style water walls, built into the inside of the wall between the entryway and the lobby proper.
Movement and Flow
Biophilic design encompasses not only living elements like plants and water but also the encouragement of natural movement and pathfinding through a space. I’ve often felt that the experience of a space starts with how you enter it and continues as you navigate through it. A well-designed entrance invites people in and offers glimpses of the goals beyond the initial space. This is the opposite of a corridor of doom. My first law of the lobby is that it should have the most direct possible line to the first interior destination beyond the lobby. Law #1: The Immediacy Principle. The next two principles deal not just with the design of the space but also with the embodied experience of the hybrid space. These are somewhat connected to the first law of the lobby. Together, they also form an argument for using curves rather than straight lines or corners in the design/body experience of the space.
Another aspect of movement to take into account is the arrangement of furniture. In a biophilic lobby, seating should be flexible and welcoming, allowing visitors to choose where they would like to sit based on their personal moment-to-moment experience. I frequently recommend not just alternative pieces of furniture like lounge chairs (which also exist in various forms) but especially modular seating that can be easily reconfigured, even by the people using it, in a changing space adaptive to their changing needs.
A genuinely biophilic lobby not only appears beautiful—it captivates all the senses. I’ve emphasized the significance of natural light, sound, and scent, but let’s not forget about touch. The tactile experience is every bit as important when it comes to a lobby design that people will want to walk into and not just walk through. That’s why I’ve chosen the texture, the form, and the materials up front, with the next bifurcation as two branched ends of this biophilic lobby experience.
In one initiative, we included a selection of tactile materials—like the polished river rocks embedded in the floor and the natural, unfinished wood on the walls—that invited people to not just see but touch and interact with the lobby space. The kinds of subtle details that go mostly unnoticed unless they’re absent make a huge difference in the overall experience of the lobby. This project team’s goal is to create a space that is sensory-rich and nature-connected, without looking like a 1970s nature documentary or a theme park.
To sum up, welcoming people into a biophilic lobby does much more than simply greet them; it’s about reestablishing human contact with the natural world, even in the core of a city. A lobby that is biophilic—meaning that it supports and even enhances that all-important connection—can easily be such a place that welcomes and extends that hug closer to the ground floor.
