(i) Introduction
‘We spend 90% of our lives in buildings, which means our health and wellbeing is influenced significantly by the built environment.
Representatives from The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS) conducted research
assessing human activity patterns and the grade of our exposure to environmental pollutants.
The research informs that we typically spend 90% of our day in an indoor setting; and under
these compelling conditions, the Australian Department of Health cited more than 70% in
Australia is suffering from chronic diseases via sedentary and work-related stress.
The built environment is strengthening its pursue of various improvements on indoor spaces
towards a sustainable approach; with a primary focus on wellness and wellbeing, the workplace of
today transits towards integrated intentions. Generating a relationship between the environment
and the individual’s activity pattern, yielding employee productivity, therefore, increase in value.
Dr Paul Kegel’s research has shown that the design of the physical work environment can have an
impact on the organization and employee performance, and the design of the workplace can
generate an impact by as much as 30%.
Two of the most recognised interior design concept in the workplace environment are Biophilic
and High Technology (Hi-Tech); However their differences, both design concept categorises
itself as sustainable, both alleviate risks and increases user satisfaction. Likewise, both designs
challenge the definition of sustainability - it designed impressions of positive intentions but did
not balance the cycle.
This paper aims to analyse and compare which approach between Biophilic and Technology
based design is more sustainable with specific considerations on workplace setting —
incorporating its similarities and differences as well as academic references to identify design
interventions for a quality workplace environment outcome.
(ii) Design Rationale
Taking in theory en plan air’, Space Encounters, the designer of the Joolz office in Amsterdam
created an office they described as a jungle. The design concept is to bring people close to nature
and improve the culture of transparency and connection through its open layout.
Carrying a vision of ‘doing things differently’, The designers, along with the stakeholders, developed the
industrial hall into a space that brings positive design; and to nullify the imbalance of a typical
workplace setting, the inclusion of trees, birds, plants and fish created a bridge of humans to
nature.
Strengthening the idea of nature connection and the intention of minimising the unnecessary
need to operate with artificial features, Joolz’ workplace is designed with extended glazing to
allow natural light to pass through; extending the intention of controlled electrical consumption,
the setting is designed with landscapes as a means to subdivide areas - this way, a clean source of
ventilation and continuous flow of fresh air circulate the office.
A company that sells energy technology services Envision patterned their office design concept
to the air movement; The design intends to mimic the flow of air, creating movements and
smooth transitions from the layout throughout the finishes. As an innovator in sustainable
technologies, the general setup of their workplace functions through high technology; the evident
presence of modern facilities and integrated cloud-based controls allow the user to work
conveniently.
(iii) Similarities and Differences (Environment, Social, Economy)
Before the advent of modern technology and sustainable interventions, people work in an office
with a 24/7 work culture; the damages to the employees’ health has increased significantly
forcing companies to look closely on the roots of the concern and its effect on how individuals
function in the workplace.
Researchers and Design practitioners were quick to realise that human beings have an innate
need to be close to nature; individuals seem to respond well with an environment that feels airy
and green. Similarly, the transition of generations from baby boomers to millennials created a
significant impact on the treatment of a workspace, and the technological developments provided
significant contributions on the ease of the work process - the introduction of technology have
proven to yield positive results in employees productivity.
Biophilia in Context
‘Biophilic design can reduce stress, enhance creativity and clarity of thought, improve our wellbeing
and expedite healing.’
Ryan suggests that Biophilia is not just a phenomenon rather a field of science, a proven part of
our history, formed by human intuition and our innate need to connect to nature. Allowing
individuals access to natural elements from indoors, Biophilic Design proved to be beneficial for
improvements on wellbeing; companies report an increase in employee retention, as well as a
significant reduction in absenteeism - The Biophilic Design, revealed to provide a positive
atmosphere and relaxed environment. However, Biophilic Design integrates but does not support
the ecology directly.
To accommodate the growing awareness, emphasis on eco-materials are pushed forward to
adhere to its own definition of sustainability; mimicking the eco-system with its own responsive
pattern.
Often regarded as a luxury in the workplace, Biophilic Design assists in connecting humans to
nature by raising awareness on environmental responsibility. Although indirectly creating an
impact on the environment, the economy from private to government benefits from a conscious
community. Influenced by the Biophilic trend, the need for a greener lifestyle provided monetary
gains to various sectors; ranging from products to services - being surrounded by a greener
atmosphere created advocates of sustainable living.
Integrated Technology
While Biophilic offers a refreshing trend, another of the most popular workplace design concept
is High Technology (Hi-Tech). Cited as both a blessing and a curse, the presence of digital
technology allowed a valuable portion of work to plummet significantly, but its transformative
impact decreased the opportunities of humans to connect to natural elements.
Researchers and practitioners recognise the need to evolve and adapt to the changing times, the
need to move faster and effectively is the ideology behind the hi-tech workplace design. Moving
beyond the restrictions of a traditional office, the elements of the design rendered revolutionary
trends noteworthy as sustainable development.
Similar to Joolz office, Envision intends to create a workplace where people would recognise the
need and the benefits of sustainability in the workplace. However, unlike Joolz, Envision’s office
design is backed by integrated technology; with emphasis on the use of renewable energy to
monitor and control systems. Envision’s approach on the aesthetics in comparison run in
impressions of natural elements.
“We wanted a ceiling that would create an impression of light penetrating through clouds. The
design uses softly curved white drywall that envelopes an array of coves for indirect lighting,”
said Newkirk.
In keeping with the mission of efficiency in the workplace, the conditions of Hi-Technology
design incorporates cloud-based control systems. Interactive visual displays for communication
as well as projector systems mounted on the wall to ensure member’s access to data streaming
from their other branches around the world; With consistent awareness of sustainability,
the development of smart technology has gained its popularity to the community.
It offered renewable solutions on how the community can synchronise a system to assist in sustainable efforts.
Unlike Biophilic, Technology-based designs allow control even without manipulation.
The results are significant, considering how fast-paced the workplace is and the entailed effort of living sustainably.
Unintentional or Intentional Design?
Biophilic Design revolves around a holistic approach, and its principles support individual
wellbeing; critiqued for its one-sidedness the Biophilic approach privileges human wellness and
awareness but does not contribute to the built environment directly. In the case of High-
Technology, the advancements to the system offer an increased influence on the transaction’s
efficiency and direct conservation of natural resources, however, the addiction to technology
consumes lives resulting in dependency - In return, intangible interventions.
Strategies associated with sustainable developments are increasing in popularity and individuals in
the workplace are gaining awareness on the effects of our irresponsibility. The quick restorative
response of a human to nature elements proves note-worthy of the impact Biophilic offers but the
intention limit its service to humans. While Technology-based Interiors are set up to control
waste of renewable source, more often than not, we find ourselves dependent on these systems
and disregard the importance of the choices we personally make as stewards of the environment.
(v) David Orr’s Framework
As the world continues to urbanise settings, we run hard against our capabilities as human
beings; In the book The Nature of Design, David Orr talks us through the imbalance of the way
we think and communicate knowledge over the contents and the resiliency of our movements.
He explains how the framework of fast knowledge has destroyed us and how slow knowledge is
starting to make its way back, making us realise the rising volume of our errors because of the
way we modify our judgements.
‘Whatever mistakes and blunders that occur along the way can be rectified by yet - moreknowledge.’
In a similar context, both Biophilic and High-Technology designs carry the same principle as the
fast knowledge - we think reactively on current circumstances and inactively on what brought
our world to this stand. Biophilic Design rose to fame in the modern world, it became a
misleading trend answering back to the ecological challenges we are currently experiencing;
while High Technology became a mainstream social movement as a driver to change.
In his book, Orr did not limit our world on the need to shift to slow knowledge - he thinks fast
knowledge has a proper time and place of application with considerations on objective
assessments. Instead, he suggests that the interplay between these social misconception appears
to be a call to action - to look at the life cycle attentively and to see situations on a structure that
grows towards resiliency.
(vi) Strategic Design Intervention
It is no surprise that technology gained its popularity in the modern era - the previously
unquantifiable aspect of our lives assessed through digital technologies, and it is no secret that
Biophilic has had a significant impact on the wellbeing of individuals in the workplace - our
innate need to connect to nature has become influential on how we treat our environment.
Our behaviour, not only in the workplace aligns on how we define sustainability; but what if we
merge both frameworks and create a harmonious relationship between connecting to nature and
technology.
Unlike, Biophilic and technology on its own, we design workplaces where people would realise
that the environment needs attention at the same time balance technology to gauge results.
Setting up space into an environment that mimics the natural ecosystem, the inclusion of
communal space with features connecting to a system outdoors - allowing its natural form to
grow and create a space that extends from the outdoors. This way, people tend to habitats
organically and allow the natural atmosphere to circulate around the office; usage of facilities to
control various equipment and monitor operations - providing balance and innovation in the
space.
(vii) Conclusion
Both design methods have significantly advanced our view of sustainability and development.
While there are some similarities, such as the intention of promoting sustainability in the
workplace, there are significant differences, mainly in relation to the approach and the results.
There is no doubt that Biophilic and High-Technology interior design methods are good tools of
communication and both will progress in the future as an optimal intervention in its own rights.
However, as we move to resilient thinking, we ought to look beyond short term goals instead
approach scenarios proactively with a long term mindset.
Bibliography
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