I’ll be honest – I never thought much about office design until I became obsessed with creating better environments for my kids at home. But once you start noticing how much physical spaces affect children’s mood, focus, and behavior, you can’t help but look at adult workspaces and think, “No wonder everyone’s stressed out.”
My wake-up call came during those brutal early months with my colicky daughter. I’d pace our dark, cramped house at 3am, and she’d only settle down when we got to the one window with decent natural light. Fast forward a few years, and I’m reading everything I can about biophilic design – basically incorporating natural elements into built environments – because I want my kids to thrive in their spaces.
But here’s what got me thinking about offices: if my ADHD son focuses better in rooms with plants and natural light, and my daughter sleeps better when her room has warmer tones and blackout curtains, what does that say about the adults spending 40+ hours a week in sterile cubicles under fluorescent lights?
The corporate world is starting to figure this out. I’ve been following some architects on Instagram who specialize in workplace design, and the transformation is pretty incredible. Companies are ditching the beige carpet and artificial everything for spaces that actually work with human biology instead of against it.
Picture walking into an office lobby and smelling actual plants instead of that recycled air smell. Natural light streaming through strategically placed windows instead of harsh fluorescents making everything look sickly. Maybe even a water feature creating some white noise that’s actually pleasant. These aren’t luxury add-ons – they’re addressing our basic human need to connect with nature, even when we’re stuck indoors all day.
I’ve read studies showing that having plants in view can lower cortisol levels and blood pressure. If that works for stressed-out parents (trust me, I’ve tested this), imagine what it could do for office workers dealing with deadlines and difficult clients. The research backs this up: people working in offices with natural elements report lower stress, better focus, and improved overall mental health.
From a parent perspective, this matters because happier, healthier workers are better parents when they come home. I know when I’m stressed from a long day in our windowless conference rooms, I have less patience with my kids. But on days when I can take breaks outside or work near a window, I come home more centered.
**The Productivity Thing Actually Works**
Here’s where it gets interesting for companies: incorporating nature into workspaces doesn’t just make people feel better – it makes them more productive and creative. I’ve seen this with my own kids. My daughter does homework better when she’s sitting by a window versus at her desk in the center of the room. My son comes up with his most creative play ideas after spending time in our backyard garden.
The same thing happens with adults. I’ve watched YouTube videos of companies that went all-in on biophilic design, and the difference is noticeable. Employees seem more engaged, collaborate better, and come up with innovative solutions more quickly. The environments feel alive instead of draining.
Studies show measurable improvements in cognitive performance and task completion rates when people work in spaces with natural elements. For companies, that translates to faster project completion, better problem-solving, and ultimately better financial results. It’s not just about making the office prettier – it’s about creating conditions where people can do their best work.
**Brand Image Stuff (Which I Never Thought I’d Care About)**
Before becoming a dad, I wouldn’t have cared much about corporate branding. But now I pay attention to which companies seem to actually value people’s wellbeing versus just talking about it. And workspace design sends a clear message.
When a company invests in biophilic design, they’re showing they understand that employee wellbeing matters. In our current environment where people are increasingly conscious about sustainability and social responsibility, that’s not just nice – it’s smart business. Customers notice. Talented employees notice. Even investors are starting to pay attention to companies that prioritize environmental and social factors.
I’ve become that parent who checks out the physical environments when visiting businesses. The pediatric offices with plants and natural light versus the sterile ones with harsh lighting and plastic everything. The difference in how my kids (and I) feel in those spaces is dramatic. The same applies to workplaces – they communicate values through design choices.
**The Money Part (Because Let’s Be Realistic)**
As someone constantly juggling home renovation projects on a tight budget, I get that initial costs matter. But the companies I’ve read about that invested in biophilic design consistently report that it pays off financially. Lower healthcare costs because employees are less stressed. Reduced turnover because people actually want to work there. Higher productivity leading to better business results.
The energy savings alone can be significant – natural lighting reduces electricity costs, and proper ventilation systems with plants can improve air quality naturally. Some retail businesses report increased sales in biophilically designed spaces. The financial benefits aren’t just theoretical; they show up in actual numbers.
Just like with our home improvements, the key is thinking of these changes as investments rather than expenses. The living wall I attempted (and failed at) in our playroom taught me that you need to plan carefully and sometimes get professional help. But the simple changes – adding plants, maximizing natural light, using natural materials – those have made real differences for our family’s daily life.
**Where This Is All Heading**
The more I learn about environmental design and its effects on human wellbeing, the more convinced I become that biophilic workspaces aren’t just a trend – they’re the future. We’re finally understanding that the physical environment isn’t neutral; it either supports human flourishing or works against it.
For parents like me who care about creating healthy environments for our kids, supporting biophilic design in workplaces is part of the same mission. When adults have access to environments that reduce stress and support wellbeing, everyone benefits – including the families they go home to each day.
I can’t redesign every office building, but I can advocate for these principles in my own workplace and support companies that prioritize human-centered design. Just like I’ve learned to create better spaces for my kids at home, we can all push for spaces that work with our biology instead of against it.
The research is clear, the financial case is solid, and the human benefits are obvious. The question isn’t whether biophilic design works – it’s how quickly we can make it the standard instead of the exception.
David is a dad of two who started caring about design after realizing how much their home environment affected his kids’ moods and sleep. He writes about family-friendly, budget-friendly ways to bring natural light, plants, and outdoor play back into everyday life.
