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Chrome Corner Entry Shower Enclosure- G808 - 785 x 785 x 1800mm

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The chrome frame, square shape, and clear glass doors help reflect your shower tile designs and complete your bathroom beautifully. The Chrome Corner Entry Shower Enclosure- G808 shower offers you a corner sliding door, saving you that deserved space in

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Tivoli Molveno Chrome Pillar Type Sink Mixer

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View the Tivoli Molveno Chrome Pillar Type Kitchen Sink Mixer which is available for purchase online.

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A modern design, the Amalfi Timbavati range of taps brings is shiq & contemporary. For just the right bold touch to your bathroom, look no further than the Amalfi Timbavati Basin Mixer. Well priced, the Amalfi Timbavati range of taps is a stylish, aff

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Builders | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

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Monthly payment

R 3,933.17 with 0% interest

We (Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd) do not guarantee that this instalment will apply. The monthly instalment shown above is only an example of what the monthly instalment could be and does not take into account certain fees that may apply, e.g. service fees or a deposit that may be payable. Your actual monthly instalment may be higher or lower when you open a store account or purchase this item on an existing account. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage of any nature you may incur by using this calculator.
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jura automatic bean to cup coffee machine piano black - Bash: Online Shopping - Shop Clothing, Sports, Home & Electronics Online in SA

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The Jura automatic bean to cup coffee machine is the wide choice, compact design. With its clear cut, sculptural design, the stylish S line exudes quality and precision in every way. It combines the best of the compact class with elements of the premium segment, including a hint of GIGA.

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Discover our 3L Steel Pedal Bin in stylish matte black. Perfect for bathroom and bedroom use. Enjoy a contemporary design, silent soft-close lid, and convenient features like a carry handle and removable inner bucket. Upgrade your spaces today!

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R 29.83 with 0% interest

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soap dispenser resin matt black 13x9.5cm - Bash: Online Shopping - Shop Clothing, Sports, Home & Electronics Online in SA

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A dramatic and moody look for a sophisticated bathroom. This matte black soap dish brings the beauty of urban luxe to your space.

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Modern contemporary style that’s functional and beautiful. Shop bathroom basins and more online, we deliver nationally.

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This round mirror with different designs will compliment any interior with its decorative effect. Perfect for a feature wall or to hang above a dresser.

Care Instructions: ALWAYS apply cleaner on a soft, lint free cloth then wipe the mirror. Do use cleaners that are alcohol based, rather than ammonia or other strong chemicals. DO Keep your mirror dry in high humidity areas such as bath or shower areas to extend the life of your mirror.

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Modern Suspended Decorative Mirror - Rustico

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View our Modern Suspended Decorative Mirror - Rustico . Shop our wide range of furniture, appliances and electronics available at Multi Furniture and Appliances.

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A simplistic Picture Frame to house your precise art and photos. The Artwork is the hero here!
Size:
A3 - 42 cm x 30 cm
Materials:
Ashwood
3mm MDF Backing
3 mm Clear Glass
Other:
Hangers Fitted for both Portrait and Landscape

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A simplistic Picture Frame to house your precise art and photos. The Artwork is the hero here! Size: A3 - 42 cm x 30 cm Materials: Ashwood3mm MDF Backing3 mm Clear Glass Other: Hangers Fitted for both Portrait and Landscape

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R 216.50 with 0% interest

We (Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd) do not guarantee that this instalment will apply. The monthly instalment shown above is only an example of what the monthly instalment could be and does not take into account certain fees that may apply, e.g. service fees or a deposit that may be payable. Your actual monthly instalment may be higher or lower when you open a store account or purchase this item on an existing account. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage of any nature you may incur by using this calculator.
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lamp set cone shape white 57cm - Bash: Online Shopping - Shop Clothing, Sports, Home & Electronics Online in SA

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Enhance the ambience of your living room or bedroom just by adding light. This glass ball shade table lamp with metal and marble detail creates a lux atmosphere with a contemporary feel.

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R 2,166.50 with 0% interest

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Skyworth 75 inch UHD Android 10 Smart TV - Bash: Online Shopping - Shop Clothing, Sports, Home & Electronics Online in SA

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Discover the Skyworth 75-inch UHD Android 10 Smart TV that features many intelligent features. 4K UHD Android 10 Bluetooth 5.0 Boundless Screen Chromecast Built-in Color Gamut 28% Google Play Store HDMI CEC & ARC

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Franke Maris Polar White Fragranite Single Bowl Drop In Kitchen Sink 520 x 400 x200mm

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Introducing the Franke Maris Polar White Fragranite Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, a perfect fusion of elegance and functionality that elevates your kitchen to new heights.

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R 1,666.66 with 0% interest

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Everlast Blaze Treadmill with Bluetooth - Bash: Online Shopping - Shop Clothing, Sports, Home & Electronics Online in SA

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New and improved, the Everlast Blaze Treadmill replaces the Trail Treadmill from the Everlast 2022 Treadmill Range, offering more functionality and a sleeker, more modern look. From creating avatars in a virtual world to competing in marathons from all around the world, the Everlast Blaze Treadmill boasts new generation app compatibility.

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Massage Bed without backlift function - Clinihealth

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Massage Bed without backlift function Patient Examination Bed, is used by Doctors, Care Givers, First Aiders, in the examination and small treatments of patients.

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If there is a product in your order that requires installation, the installation will happen separately from the delivery of any other products in the same order. The service team will contact you directly to make arrangements for the installation.

If you are based in an outlying area, please contact your closest store. Take note that only the first 30km are free, thereafter a delivery quote will be provided.

If your basket contains both a "per product" and a "per order" item, you will only be charged according to the "per product" delivery fee.

Express Delivery is 1 to 3 working days (Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00, excl. Public Holidays) and is subject to:

Stock availability

Main centre deliveries only

Order only consists of Apparel (excl. accessories), Tech, Fan Gear and Footwear

Standard Deliveries is 3 to 5 business days (Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00, excl. Public Holidays)

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Shop the HS Fitness Magnetic Indoor Bike by HS Fitness for only R 16 999,9 | 1158407

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R 1,499.83 with 0% interest

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manchester desk white 120cm - Bash: Online Shopping - Shop Clothing, Sports, Home & Electronics Online in SA

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Tackle each work day with confidence behind a great desk. Area efficient with a lot of drawer space.

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GOF Furniture - Roomia Office Chair, Brown

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GOF Furniture - Roomia Office Chair, Brown. Delivery Across South Africa ✓ Secure Shopping ✓ Easy Returns ✓ Shop Online & Collect 2 Hours Later in Store. Buy Onli

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The Benefits Of Using Wood Effect Slat Wall Panels

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Looking for a change in the home? Or want to bring an office space back to life? Then we would like to give you some reasons to choose Slat Walls. Wood Effect Slat Wall Panels… What are they? They are strips of sustainable forestry materials formed together to create a textured modern looking wal…

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Wyndham Clubhouse is a biophilic paradise sheathed in brick screens in Vietnam

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As the entrance to a resort on the island of Phú Quốc, the structure is an austere cuboidal brick volume, hosting a tiered courtyard draped with lush green curtains.

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Lucky enough to have brick walls in your contemporary space? To some this element might seem a bit outdated, but, when done right, nothing could be further from the truth. Scrap the idea of covering it up with traditional sheetrock or other wall materials. Instead, just let the feel of classic bricks speak for you.

You might be surprised how it can bring warmth to your space, and how it can complement your decors and sleek, modern furniture. Needless to say, this one trick - leaving the bricks exposed - can add wonders to your modern rooms whether you have minimalist, industrial or eclectic decors.

Let's take a look at how charming brick walls can add character to your space...

Mounting your wall art on exposed brick is one great decorating idea that amps and prettifies your space. The art in this space matches the color and texture of the brick as well as the lounge chair, thus, creating a vintage and shabby-chic look.

If you're into minimalist design and you love the color (or absence of it) white, then this space will surely inspire you and even more. The exposed bricks here work perfectly with white, giving a contrasting effect and breaking the monotonous theme.

Make your kitchen and dining area more conducive and homey by choosing to use exposed bricks for your walls. The bricks here make the space more interesting, classier and cozier. It makes the hanging shelves in white, modern lighting fixture and granite counters stand out. Needless to say, this is one chic space to hang around with your family and friends.

If you're wondering if exposed bricks can make or break your modern room's look, then this is one proof that can actually do the former and even more. This living room is simply unforgettable due to the jaw-dropping effect of the painted white exposed bricks. It completes and matches the different designs, styles and textures of modern furniture used here. And add to the fact that it makes the room look larger and brighter than it already is.

Here is one fine example of how using exposed bricks add character and life to your modern space. Wood floors absolutely go very well with exposed bricks, giving your space a country-style yet modern look and feel. This to-die-for living room's modern lounge chairs, minimal decors and modern lighting fixtures match the exposed bricks unpretentious persona.

Obviously, you don't need to hang wall arts or decors to make your space look more personal and edgier. What makes this dining space's minimalist design stunning is the use of exposed bricks sans decors. If walls could speak, this almost-bare (there's a mounted lighting fixture) wall will surely speak volumes about you and your room's personality and character.

This minimalist, dreamy bedroom is a typical look of modern apartments today - low maintenance and clutter-free. The exposed bricks create a nostalgic and warm look, and works really well with earthy tones.

Image Source: ArchitectureArtDesigns.com; DecorPad.com; Home-Designing.com; Biawow.com; Squarestae.com; Decoist.com;

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Exposed Brick Walls Add Character to Modern Rooms

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Lucky enough to have brick walls in your contemporary space? To some this element might seem a bit outdated, but, when done right, nothing could be further from the truth. Scrap the idea of covering it up with traditional sheetrock or other wall materials. Instead, just let the feel of classic bricks speak for you.

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Text description provided by the architects. The project is a hospitality building located in the coastal resort of Phu Quoc. With the desire to bring a new perspective that is both modern and traditional to this building, we think about the image of the lantern. The lantern will give the experience a soft, gentle feeling of light at night, and be a highlight at the entrance to the resort. The main material selected is bare brick, in order to exude the beauty of meticulousness and precision of the local mason.

During the day, the bricklayer could block and soften the sunlight, while providing excellent natural ventilation for the building, which is one of the prerequisites of architecture for tropical climates. Inside the lobby space is The courtyard is the crucial element that once again affirms the immutable values of traditional architecture passed down to this day.

Just by applying techniques of exploiting, softening, or contrasting natural light, along with the organization to create wind convection throughout all spaces, the project has created a separate atmosphere for relaxation. The indigenous materials of bamboo, bare brick, wood, and grindstone... once again create a great mix and bring a strong connection to the local area.

If we wonder about the role of architecture in human life, whether the basic value is providing sufficient shade from which people can stay underneath and get as much of the beauties of nature as possible from the sun, the wind the grass, the water...

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Completed in 2022 in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Images by Trieu Chien. The project is a hospitality building located in the coastal resort of Phu Quoc. With the desire to bring a new perspective that is both modern and...

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designboom | architecture & design magazine

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step inside the wyndham club house by MIA design studio

On the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, the Wyndham Club House emerges as a new hospitality addition by MIA Design Studio. Combining modern and traditional qualities, the structure features a bold, exterior sporting various patterns that create captivating light and shadow plays throughout the day. The resulting effect evokes a lantern-like quality that ' exudes the beauty of craftsmanship in the meticulousness and precision of the local mason,' writes the studio.

all images © Zhao Chien

exuding a meditative, breathable atmosphere

Beyond its aesthetic value, the brick cladding helps block out / soften heavy sunlight during warm weather while providing natural ventilation for the building, a prerequisite for tropical climates that drape over islands like Phu Quoc. Upon entering the Wyndham Club House by MIA Design Studio (see more here), visitors are met with highly sensorial spaces that mesh lighting, vegetation, and water features into one meditative setting. A striking example is the large skylight hovering above a zen-like pond; adorned with lush, hanging plants, such a display invites relaxation, visual softness, and breathability - a nod to the island's overall ambiance. Further reinforcing the local character is the use of materials like bamboo, wood, and grindstone.

the Wyndham Club House is built out of bare bricks

the building is the latest hospitality addition to the resort island of Phu Quoc

entrance to the pond area

bordering the club house is a still water feature

a large skylight adorned with hanging plants illuminates a large, meditative pond

exuding captivating and immersive light effects

top view of the skylight

a meditative, and almost theatrical atmosphere, engulfs the Wyndham Club House
project info:
name: Wyndham Club House

location: Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Vietnam

architecture: MIA Design Studio | @mia_design_studio_
head of design: Nguyen Hoang Manh
concept design: Truong Nguyen Quoc Trung
technical design: Bui Hoang Bao, Nguyen Thi Hao
general contractor: Megabuild
interior contractor: Thanh Thang Thanh Long
photography: Zhao Chien

start year: 2016
completion year: 2022
land area: 3,355 sqm
construction area: 2,200 sqm
total floor area: 4,495 sqm

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using bare bricks, MIA design studio shapes meditative club house along vietnamese coast

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boasting various patterns, the brick facades of the wyndham club house create captivating light and shadow plays throughout the day.

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Wyndham Clubhouse is a biophilic paradise sheathed in brick screens in Vietnam

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As the entrance to a resort on the island of Phú Quốc, the structure is an austere cuboidal brick volume, hosting a tiered courtyard draped with lush green curtains.

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Lighting choices can make or break a room's design and mood. Fix outdated or inefficient lights with these expert tips on choosing and updating fixtures, bulbs, and switches. Use these lighting ideas to brighten rooms, save energy, and give your home an entirely new look.

10. Change Your Oldest Lighting Fixture

Lighting manufacturers have made it easier than ever to replace energy-hogging fixtures and bulbs for ones that last longer and trim utility bills. When you're at your lighting showroom, simply look for products with the Energy Star label. Old lighting fixtures can quickly date a space. Replacing old chandeliers and flush-mount lights with fresh models can take years off your home's looks.

11. Pick a New Shade

Lampshades have more practical design power than they get credit for. Lighter-color shades can diffuse light in a wider circle. A darker shade concentrates the light, focusing it on a surface. A new shade is also an opportunity for you to try out a punch of color and pattern before you redo a whole room.

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15 Essential Tips to Dramatically Improve Your Home's Lighting

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Lighting can make or break a room's design and mood. Get these expert tips on choosing updated fixtures, bulbs, and switches.

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Wellness Interior Design Ideas | NORclad

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With smart and considered design, your next build can become a positive wellness space, influencing staff and visitors.

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A year or so ago, the word wellness hit differently than it does today. With health and wellbeing top of mind for the world, wellness-oriented spaces in both commercial and residential settings are prioritizing much more than just relaxation and pampering.

"The pandemic has crystallized the need we all have for mental and physical health, and we have had time to reflect on our pace of life and the impact of technology, both good and bad," says designer Jo Littlefair of Goddard Littlefair, who recently designed spas for both Southbank Place and Chelsea Barracks in London. "This, in turn, means that as designers of interior spaces we need to articulate a response that delivers on not only an aesthetic level but [also] creates an environment to alter moods and assist rejuvenation."

Here's what Littlefair-along with designers Shelly Lynch-Sparks of Hyphen & Co, Shalini Misra, and Veronica Schreibeis-Smith of Vera Iconica -predicts for wellness spaces in 2021.

Sustainability From All Angles

It's not just skin tonics and treatments that people want to be organic and eco-friendly. "Spas and wellness areas need to show that they are embracing every opportunity to integrate healthy and sustainable materials into the structure and design of their spaces," says Shalini Misra. "It's partly about telling the story of how sustainable materials have been used, how natural resources-such as the flow of natural light and air-have been harnessed, the incorporation of solar-generated energy sources, and the use of upcycled and repurposed items."

For many of their spaces, Misra and her team use computer calculations to map the sun's movement and determine exactly how much cooling and heating is required. Eco-friendly materials like cork, bamboo, and rattan are also all in favor. " Cork is perhaps one of the very best examples of a material that has it all-warmth, texture, malleability-and its extraction does not involve the felling of a single tree," she explains. "If managed correctly, it grows back in nine-year cycles and is, therefore, one of the most sustainable materials in the world. We have always associated it with flooring and wall tiles, but it's also now being used in cutting-edge furniture and fittings and 3D geometric patterning."

Shelly Lynch-Sparks, the designer behind New York City meditation space MNDFL and acupuncture studio WTHN, says a sustainability focus dictates all of her work. "This includes everything from the paint on the walls or glue used for millwork to ensure there is no off-gassing," she says, adding that wood veneers, Caesarstone quartz, and zero-VOC paints like Clare all help achieve this.

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4 Wellness Design Trends the Experts Say Are Here to Stay

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Light therapy, green materials, and soothing technology, oh my!

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A year or so ago, the word wellness hit differently than it does today. With health and wellbeing top of mind for the world, wellness-oriented spaces in both commercial and residential settings are prioritizing much more than just relaxation and pampering.

"The pandemic has crystallized the need we all have for mental and physical health, and we have had time to reflect on our pace of life and the impact of technology, both good and bad," says designer Jo Littlefair of Goddard Littlefair, who recently designed spas for both Southbank Place and Chelsea Barracks in London. "This, in turn, means that as designers of interior spaces we need to articulate a response that delivers on not only an aesthetic level but [also] creates an environment to alter moods and assist rejuvenation."

Here's what Littlefair-along with designers Shelly Lynch-Sparks of Hyphen & Co, Shalini Misra, and Veronica Schreibeis-Smith of Vera Iconica -predicts for wellness spaces in 2021.

Sustainability From All Angles

It's not just skin tonics and treatments that people want to be organic and eco-friendly. "Spas and wellness areas need to show that they are embracing every opportunity to integrate healthy and sustainable materials into the structure and design of their spaces," says Shalini Misra. "It's partly about telling the story of how sustainable materials have been used, how natural resources-such as the flow of natural light and air-have been harnessed, the incorporation of solar-generated energy sources, and the use of upcycled and repurposed items."

For many of their spaces, Misra and her team use computer calculations to map the sun's movement and determine exactly how much cooling and heating is required. Eco-friendly materials like cork, bamboo, and rattan are also all in favor. " Cork is perhaps one of the very best examples of a material that has it all-warmth, texture, malleability-and its extraction does not involve the felling of a single tree," she explains. "If managed correctly, it grows back in nine-year cycles and is, therefore, one of the most sustainable materials in the world. We have always associated it with flooring and wall tiles, but it's also now being used in cutting-edge furniture and fittings and 3D geometric patterning."

Shelly Lynch-Sparks, the designer behind New York City meditation space MNDFL and acupuncture studio WTHN, says a sustainability focus dictates all of her work. "This includes everything from the paint on the walls or glue used for millwork to ensure there is no off-gassing," she says, adding that wood veneers, Caesarstone quartz, and zero-VOC paints like Clare all help achieve this.

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4 Wellness Design Trends the Experts Say Are Here to Stay

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Light therapy, green materials, and soothing technology, oh my!

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The Current and Future of Wellness in Interior Design

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By using current and future design trends to promote wellness, you can create interiors that inspire, fulfil and invigorate people.

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wellness interior design - Sarah Barnard Design - Story

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The presence of paint in our homes is so prevalent that it often becomes overlooked as a building material. Paint can significantly impact our home spaces, with the ability to affect our mood and personal and environmental health.

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We advise real estate developers and hotel groups on their wellness interior design from concept development, to fit-out and operational phases in line with healthy building and WELL building standards.

Biofilico is all about designing for wellness, in other words!

wellness strategy in a healthy building

A human health and wellbeing strategy is now commonplace for real estate developers in the residential sector, just as for certain hotels and resort brands, as well as employer brands where it morphs into workplace wellness and employee wellbeing strategy (see offices).

Creating a health and wellbeing agenda inspired by the World Health Organization guidelines with a tangible plan detailing a list of wellbeing initiatives also enhances an ESG strategy as it directly contributes to the Social or 'S' section.

Read on to discover more about how wellness interior design fits into this strategy too and connects with wellness architecture. For more on our services as home design consultant for residential developments, hotels and coliving, see here.

wellness interior consultant and wellness interior design consultant

When consulting interior design for wellbeing we deploy strategies such as enhanced indoor air quality (IAQ), biophilic design, lighting, acoustics, active design, scent, thermal comfort and healthy materials to create indoor spaces maximized for occupant wellbeing.

As a wellbeing interior design consultancy we leverage evidence-based wellness design and healthy building principles in workplaces, residences, educational environments, hotels and mixed-use real estate developments.

The intended benefits of a wellbeing interior include cognitive function (concentration, productivity, creativity), improved mood and reduced anxiety.

As such, wellbeing interiors offer a combination of mental and physical comfort, ideally helping to calm the mind, allow for renewed focus and concentration, while also embracing the occupant with the vitality of nature.

Healthy materials in wellbeing interiors

By avoiding all synthetics in favour of natural linens, leathers, jute, wool, wood, bamboo and cork for example we create a harmonious palette of textures, colours and patterns.

This wellness focused interior design strategy also ensures the interiors are toxin-free, improving the quality of indoor air and creating a healthy, safe environment to sleep, work, study or play in.

Deploying Circular Design principles, bio-based or recycled materials, as well as products with Healthy Product Declarations (HPDs) ensures we have minimal environmental impact and maximize an interior space for occupant wellbeing.

acoustic performance in wellness interiors

Acoustic performance is a key characteristic of wellness interior design, with studies showing it to be important for human wellbeing, especially in terms of concentration and productivity.

Sound insulation helps us create a neutral baseline for indoor spaces with suitable ambient noise levels and reverberation times, for example sound reducing surfaces such as eco-friendly flooring underlay, acoustic ceiling panels, acoustic wall paint or wallpaper and soft furnishings.

From that baseline, we can then add in layers of sound, be that nature sounds or acoustic music playlists, with a specific objective in mind; this is just one of our multi-sensory design strategies.

Recharge rooms in a wellbeing strategy

In the realm of wellness interior design, a quiet room can be a private, cocoon-like indoor space also known as 'recharge rooms' with therapeutic qualities aimed at reducing anxiety levels and enhancing productivity within the workplace.

We use healthy materials as well as sound, scent, texture, colours and more for a multi-sensory experience.

For our research study in London for EcoWorld Ballymore and The Wardian residences focusing on this, click here.

Of course, an outdoor garden is an even better amenity, when space is available and weather conditions permit. We design those too, and green building certifications reward them as a separate amenity.

Light quality in wellness interiors

Natural light is an essential building block of health focused and wellness focused interior design. Maximizing natural light is largely the architect's role but interior designers can help too by considering how, when and to what depth natural light penetrates a space.

Other light-based considerations in a healthy workplace include the control of surface glare, maximizing views to the outside world (e.g. a landscape, other buildings, courtyards), appropriate task-specific illuminance levels, dimming controls and occupant control according to function type.

Green building systems recommend low, mid and high settings on overhead lights, combined with task lights and floor lamps.

We are big fans of Circadian lighting systems too as part of a multi-sensory design approach - this is a way of leveraging smart technology to create an ancestral health rhythm during the day.

Indoor Air Quality in wellbeing interiors

In the post-COVID19 world, indoor air quality concerns are here to stay, especially in wellness focused interior design.

Air pollution, off-gassing from building materials, poor indoor ventilation and germ-ridden surfaces can all contribute to sick building syndrome (SBS), as well as contribute to the spread of infections within a building.

Air-purifying plants are but supplemental fire in larger spaces, we need the heavy artillery to make a real impact.

This requires a cohesive approach incorporating ventilation and filtration, healthy entrances, cleaning protocols, toxic material reduction / ` healthy material procurement policy, pest control and microbe control.

Once set up, air quality monitoring with feedback systems track airborne contaminants, VOCs, CO2 levels and humidity.

Biophilic design in wellbeing interiors

Integrating biophilic design into wellbeing interior design leverages the former's proven mental health benefits such as a reduction in anxiety, an improvement in mood and enhanced cognitive function (concentration and creativity).

This can be especially relevant in learning or office environment, as well as a residential context.

Indoor air-purifying plants, biodesign, biophilic artworks and landscape photos can all combine to create a verdant interior design experience for positivity and vitality. Natural light can also be replicated with specific skylight ceiling panels.

Enhanced access to nature (biophilia)

As a biophilic interior designer, we firmly believe that exposure to nature brings with it a range of mental and physical health benefits, especially in dense urban environments where we can all suffer from what is known as a 'nature deficit'.

Reconnecting visually with nature in the city, be it outdoors in terraces and rooftops directly exposed to natural light, or indoors with through plants, trees and even aquariums, can all reduce stress and anxiety, restore concentration, provide a sense of vitality and generally make the day more pleasurable.

In sum, this is 'biophilia' and healthy building standards such as WELL have specific credits rewarding the creation of a dream space with enhanced access to nature for building occupants., whether outdoors or via interior design interventions.

To get started implementing this you'll need a mood board, an interior design consultation and an open mind!

Active furnishings for healthy building occupants

Our wellbeing interior design consultations encourage all aspects of physical and mental wellness, including the provision of active furnishings such as standing desks to reduce the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle, especially in learning / student or office / worker environments.

The WELL Standard specifically rewards projects for providing standing desks and treadmill desks but it is down to each individual tenant to foster a culture in which working in this way is not just acceptable but encouraged.

Sitting is not the enemy as much as inactivity and staring hunched in front of a computer screen for eight hours each day isn't doing anyone much good.

Multi-sensory design in wellbeing interiors

Dedicated spaces that consider sight, sound, scent and touch can be especially powerful in wellness terms as they provide an immersive experience for building occupants.

Such interior design 'set pieces' work especially well in smaller rooms where we as interior design consultants can control the environment completely.

Opposite is an office quiet room concept that features healthy non-toxic materials, biodesign lampshades, acoustic wall panels made of mycelium, air-purifying plants and standalone air purifiers, bio-based coffee tables and biophilic design floor rugs combined with forest phytoncide aromatherapy and birdsong.

Mental health in a wellness strategy

A comprehensive wellbeing strategy for a residential co-living development for example, or an coworking office, now needs to cover not just the physical health but also mental health of a building's occupants. This requires going beyond interior design into the realm of content.

Thankfully, the range of solutions available to us is growing by the day, from guided meditation sessions available via QR codes (OPO case study), to meditation pods (Yinshi case study), access to external mental health clinics and therapists (The Soke case study), guidance on healthy sleep (Charlie Morley case study) and on-site staff with a Mental Health First Aider certification.

What is a Wellbeing Champion?

A Wellbeing Champion is a recognized healthy building and wellness interiors professional who plays a central project role, either related to a specific certification process such as WELL, FITWEL or RESET, or more generally advising on and promoting the cause of health and wellbeing for a real estate development.

This role could begin in the masterplan phase and continue on through concept design and detailed design phases, or join a project once the interior design is complete but prior to the fit-out phase, providing input on the healthy indoor environment that is about to be implemented. In this instance we focus more heavily on the specified materials and finishes.

Biofilico's Founder Matt Morley is a trained Mental Health First Aider, a FITWEL Ambassador, a RESET AIR Accredited Professional and an Active Score Accredited Professional. He plays a strategic role in wellness interior design projects and leads wellbeing strategy advisory projects.

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Wellness Real Estate Consultant | Wellbeing Interior Design

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We advise real estate developers and hotel groups on their wellbeing strategy and wellness interior design to align with healthy building and WELL building standards.

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Today, wellness-focused interior design is an on-growing design ideology; it realizes that living spaces can greatly influence our physical health, as well as our mental health. Interior design was once only associated with functionality aesthetics, but now it is recognized for its profound influence on our physical and mental health. In today's busy world stress and anxiety have become common issues. Interior design has the ability to shape our mental state and foster a sense of tranquility.

Biophilic design, color psychology, lighting design, and ergonomic considerations, all contribute to the creation of environments that inspire relaxation, foster a sense of harmony, and boost productivity.

By considering the requirements of house owners, interior designers can design spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and have a positive impact on mental health. As a reputed Interior Design Company in Bangalore, we love to explore how interior design and mental health intersect to create spaces that not only look beautiful but promote health and well-being, too. In this article, we will explore the most important elements of interior design and the positive impacts of the interior on our health and well-being in the modern era.

The Positive Impact of Interior Design: Enhancing Our Well-being in Modern Living

Wellness covers numerous dimensions from exercise, fitness, and nutrition to joyful experiences, living in balance, relaxation, healthy social connections, mindfulness, and slow living,... It also means designing and living in spaces that nourish our bodies and minds. Our surrounding environment has a considerable role in our mood, so it's essential to look beyond appearance and functionality when undertaking a design project.

Our popular creative interior designing studio in Bangalore provides the right solutions that can help create wellness-driven spaces as we look to prioritize mental well-being, as well as aesthetics. The effects of plants and flowers, light, natural elements, color, and artwork have a tremendous effect on enhancing our moods. Here get some ideas on how interior design affects our overall health and well-being.

Nowadays biophilic design is one of the most influential ones, which brings nature into our indoor spaces. Plants, organic patterns, and natural materials not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also have a positive impact on our health. Studies have shown that exposure to nature, can reduce blood pressure, increase productivity, and increase cognitive function. We are a well-known interior designing company in Bangalore with incorporates biophilic design that reconnects us with the natural world, providing a sense of tranquility and well-being. Bringing nature to home also increases the oxygen levels in the air, stabilises humidity, and looks great.

Colours have a profound influence on our moods and emotions, and interior design leverages this knowledge to create spaces that positively impact our mental state. Interior designers are experts in colour psychology, using shapes strategically to evoke specific feelings. For instance, greens and blue promote a sense of calmness, while oranges and yellows can boost creativity and energy. The incorporation of a thoughtful hue can uplift our spirits, create a harmonious atmosphere, and enhance concentration. In addition to psychological traits and benefits attributed to colors, each color's saturation, and brightness are significant components in their emotional powers. Each colour has associated psychological effects. Decades of research confirm that some colours consistently evoke certain emotional responses.

A well-designed space can provide positive emotions and give a sense of refuge. This can be achieved through the proper incorporation of color, light, pattern, texture, and other design elements. By designing a space that is visually appealing and calming, we can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable. Creating an environment that is calming, and conducive to positive interactions can help to improve mental health and well-being.

Lighting is an important aspect of interior design that has a great impact on mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Nowadays, designers focus on designing spaces that balance natural and artificial lighting. Maximizing natural light enhances our circadian rhythm and promotes better sleep quality. As one of the best apartment interior designers in Bangalore, we can incorporate adjustable lighting options that allow you to adapt the ambiance of a space according to your needs.

It's time to make a change for the better and to do this you have to surround yourself with tranquility, beauty, and positive energy. At WeDezine we are dedicated and passionate about creating environments that enhance the overall quality of life and promote mental wellness. Our luxury Interior designers in Bangalore can give the best solutions to design your spaces so that you have this effect on your mental health. As a leading interior design company in Bangalore, we are here to guide you on your journey. Together, let us embark on a journey of designing for wellness and creating environments that uplift us in our daily lives.

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Interior Design for Wellness: Designing Interiors for Mental Health and Physical Well-being

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Today, wellness-focused interior design is an on-growing design ideology; it realizes that living spaces can greatly influence our physical health, as well as our mental health. Interior design was once only associated with functionality aesthetics, but now it is recognized for its profound influenc

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As the hospitality industry continues to evolve and become more competitive, businesses are looking for ways to enhance the guest experience and stand out from the crowd. One approach that has gained popularity in recent years is designing for wellness.

This refers to the intentional use of interior design to promote health, well-being, and relaxation in hospitality spaces. From hotels and resorts to restaurants and spas, wellness-oriented interior design can create a transformative and memorable experience for guests.

In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of interior design in hospitality and discuss how a wellness-oriented approach can benefit both guests and businesses.

We'll cover the key elements of wellness-driven interior design, including the use of natural elements, calming colors and textures, and spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation.

By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of the impact that interior design can have on the guest experience and how you can apply these concepts to your own hospitality space. So, let's dive in!

Beyond Aesthetics: The Impact of Wellness-Oriented Interior Design on Guest Experience

Wellness-oriented interior design is an approach to hospitality space design that prioritizes the well-being, health, and relaxation of guests. This design style is more than just creating an aesthetically pleasing space; it focuses on creating an environment that supports and enhances the guest experience.

The key principle of wellness-oriented interior design is to incorporate elements that promote physical and emotional wellness. This includes the use of natural materials, such as wood, stone, and plants, which can have a calming effect on guests and create a sense of connection to the natural world.

Additionally, calming colors and textures such as soft blues, greens, and earth tones, are used to create a peaceful and soothing atmosphere.

Wellness-oriented interior design also incorporates spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation, such as meditation rooms, spas, and outdoor areas. These spaces provide guests with the opportunity to unwind and de-stress, promoting overall well-being.

By incorporating these principles into hospitality space design, businesses can create a space that not only looks beautiful but also supports the health and well-being of their guests. A well-designed space can enhance the guest experience, leading to increased satisfaction, loyalty, and revenue.

Why Wellness-Oriented Interior Design is the Key to Success in Hospitality

Designing a hospitality space that prioritizes wellness can offer several benefits for both the guests and the business. By incorporating natural elements, calming colors, and textures, and spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation, guests can feel more relaxed, centered, and at peace during their stay. This creates an overall positive experience that guests are likely to remember and share with others, resulting in better guest reviews and higher ratings.

Furthermore, guests are more likely to be satisfied with their stay when they feel that their health and well-being were prioritized. This can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business, which is crucial for any hospitality business. Creating an environment that supports wellness can also attract a broader range of guests who prioritize their well-being, setting the business apart from competitors.

In addition to the benefits for guests, wellness-oriented interior design can also have a positive impact on the business's revenue. Happy guests are more likely to return for future stays, recommend the property to others, and leave positive reviews, leading to increased visibility and revenue over time.

A wellness-oriented interior design can create a space that supports the health and well-being of guests, leading to several benefits for both guests and businesses. By prioritizing wellness in interior design, hospitality businesses can provide guests with an exceptional experience that they'll want to come back to again and again.

Design Elements for Promoting Wellness in Hospitality Spaces

The right design elements can make a huge difference when it comes to promoting wellness in hospitality spaces. By creating a calming and rejuvenating environment, businesses can offer guests an experience that supports their well-being. Here are three key design elements that can be used to achieve this goal:

Incorporating Natural Elements

The use of natural elements is an effective way to promote wellness in hospitality spaces. Biophilic design, which involves incorporating natural features such as wood, stone, water, and greenery into interior design, has been shown to have positive effects on both physical and mental health. By bringing the outside in, guests can feel a stronger connection to nature, which can help reduce stress and improve mood.

Natural light is also important in promoting wellness. Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body's natural circadian rhythms, which can improve sleep quality and boost overall well-being. Maximizing the amount of natural light in a space can be achieved through thoughtful design choices, such as the placement of windows and skylights.

Finally, adding plants to hospitality spaces can improve air quality and create a soothing atmosphere. Plants can also reduce noise levels and create a sense of calm, making them an effective addition to any wellness-oriented interior design.

Color and Texture

The use of color and texture is another key element in promoting wellness in hospitality spaces. Calming color schemes, such as blues and greens, can help create a relaxing environment. These colors are associated with nature and can help guests feel more connected to the environment around them.

Using natural materials such as wood and stone can also create a sense of warmth and comfort in hospitality spaces. These materials can help create a sense of grounding and stability, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Sensory textures, such as soft fabrics or textured walls, can add an additional layer of relaxation and promote feelings of comfort and security.

Creating Spaces for Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Finally, creating spaces specifically designed for relaxation and rejuvenation is essential for promoting wellness in hospitality spaces. Comfortable seating, such as plush armchairs or sofas, can encourage guests to unwind and relax.

A dedicated space for meditation, such as a quiet room or meditation garden, can provide guests with a place to escape and focus on mindfulness.

Spa-like amenities, such as steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs, can provide guests with an additional way to relax and rejuvenate. These amenities can be incorporated into hotel spas, fitness centers, or even guest rooms.

In short, incorporating natural elements, using calming colors and textures, and creating spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation are key elements in promoting wellness in hospitality spaces. By designing spaces with guest well-being in mind, businesses can improve customer satisfaction, increase positive reviews, and drive repeat business.

Real-World Examples of Wellness-Driven Interior Design in Hospitality

Case studies can offer a great way to understand how wellness-oriented interior design can be effectively implemented in the hospitality industry. By looking at successful examples, we can gain insights into the design elements that contribute to a positive guest experience and how they impact the success of the business.

Here are some examples of high-end and reputable hospitality businesses that have successfully incorporated wellness-oriented design:

Hotels - The Aman Tokyo Hotel in Japan is a great example of a hotel that prioritizes guest wellness. Its interior design features a minimalist and zen-like aesthetic, with natural materials such as wood, stone, and washi paper used throughout. The hotel also has a spa that offers a range of treatments inspired by Japanese healing traditions.

Restaurants - The Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, is renowned for its innovative cuisine and its connection to nature. The restaurant's interior design features an abundance of natural materials, such as wood and stone, and large windows that provide natural light and views of the surrounding nature. This design creates a sense of tranquility and calm, enhancing the dining experience.

Spas - The Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, is a world-renowned destination spa that offers a range of holistic wellness programs. Its interior design features a blend of traditional Thai elements and modern design, with natural materials and soothing colors used throughout. The spa also has an extensive outdoor area that includes gardens, pools, and relaxation areas.

Coffee shops - The Blue Bottle Coffee shop in Tokyo, Japan, is an example of how wellness-oriented design can be incorporated into smaller hospitality spaces. The shop's interior features plenty of natural light, warm colors, and comfortable seating that create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The shop also has plants and greenery that help to purify the air and promote a sense of calm.

Overall, these examples show that incorporating natural elements, soothing colors and textures, and thoughtful lighting can help create hospitality spaces that prioritize guest wellness.

By offering experiences that support guests' physical and mental health, businesses can build a loyal customer base and enjoy long-term success.

Tips for Implementing Wellness-Oriented Design in Hospitality Spaces

Wellness-oriented design can offer significant benefits for hospitality businesses looking to create a space that prioritizes guest well-being. However, implementing these design elements can be challenging without proper planning and execution.

Here are some tips to consider when implementing wellness-oriented design in hospitality spaces:

Identifying the target audience

Understanding the needs and preferences of the target audience is crucial when designing a wellness-oriented hospitality space. Consider the demographic of guests who will be staying at the property and tailor the design elements accordingly. For example, business travelers may prefer a different design aesthetic compared to families on vacation.

Partnering with a Designer to Create a Wellness-Focused Hospitality Space

Working with a design firm who specializes in wellness-oriented design can be beneficial when implementing these elements in hospitality spaces. Hospitality interior designers can provide expert advice on color palettes, lighting, and other design elements that promote wellness while also considering the practicality of the space.

Incorporating feedback from guests

Feedback from guests can provide valuable insights into how the wellness-oriented design elements are being received. This can be done through surveys or focus groups, as well as monitoring online reviews and guest feedback. Use guest feedback to fine-tune the design and ensure that it continues to meet their needs and expectations, leading to increased satisfaction and repeat business.

Introducing wellness-oriented design elements in hospitality spaces can bring numerous advantages to both guests and businesses alike. By carefully considering the target audience, collaborating with an expert designer, and being open to guest feedback, hospitality owners and managers can create a space that promotes relaxation, rejuvenation, and comfort. Ultimately, this can lead to higher guest satisfaction, more positive reviews, and increased revenue and repeat business.

So, whether you're a hotelier or a vacation rental host, it's worth exploring how you can enhance your guests' experience by incorporating wellness-oriented design. By doing so, you'll be tapping into a growing trend in the hospitality industry that prioritizes guests' health and well-being. And who knows? You might just end up creating a space that guests love so much, they keep coming back year after year.

The Future of Hospitality Design: Embracing Wellness-Oriented Interiors

To sum it up, wellness-oriented interior design offers numerous benefits for hospitality spaces. It can enhance the guest experience, increase customer satisfaction, improve guest reviews and ratings, and ultimately drive revenue and repeat business.

But that's not all - it's also a great way to make guests feel their best. When you make someone feel good, they are more likely to remember you and recommend you to others.

So, if you're a business in the hospitality industry, it's important to consider incorporating elements of wellness in your interior design.

You don't need to make drastic changes - even small tweaks can have a significant impact. Whether it's adding some plants or calming colors, or creating a designated relaxation space, prioritizing your guests' well-being can pay off in the long run.

Looking to the future, wellness-oriented interior design will likely continue to be a trend in the industry. As guests become more health-conscious and seek out experiences that support their well-being, businesses that prioritize wellness-oriented design will have a competitive edge. By making wellness a core part of your brand and guest experience, you can create a loyal customer base and stand out in the industry.

So, take action today and implement wellness-oriented interior design in your hospitality space. Your guests (and your business) will thank you for it.

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Enhancing Guest Experience: Wellness-Driven Interior Design

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Design for wellness and craft healthier environments with expert insights from Tanic Design's insightful blog. Begin your journey to a healthier space now!

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Description

Create a tranquil home aesthetic instantly with the understated Rotterdam Dutch Open Woven Rattan Cane Shade Pendant Light. Crafted from solid iron and natural rattan ideal for styling entryway voids, dining rooms, and reading nooks. Assembly will be required.
Product Details
Last Order Date for 2023 delivery is 10 NOV2023. Orders for completion/delivery in 2024 can be placed after this period and will be added to production queues in January once the factories open again.

Small | D600mm - Black Cord 1500mm

Large | D900mm - Black Cord 1500mm

Colour: Natural and Black

Material: Dutch Weave Rattan Cane and Black Fabric Trim

Lamp Holder: 1 x E27 ( Bulb not Included; Max 40 Watt)

Voltage: 220v - 240V~50Hz

IP Rating 20 for Indoor Use

Item to be Hardwired and installed by a qualified electrician.

Please note: This item is Custom Made to Order Item and NON refundable.

Estimated Lead time: 25-30 working days before dispatch

*Faulty products may be returned to be repaired.
HOW WILL MY ITEMS ARRIVE
If you have ordered multiple items, these may arrive in separate deliveries with separate tracking emails.
Upon delivery, you will be asked to sign a delivery form or give a OTP Pin send to the cellphone number given on order, in which you confirm that the product(s) was delivered on that waybill.
Lighting.co.za has multiple warehouses we ship from and sometimes we need to dispatch your order from a few different locations. * At the time of order some items might be out of stock - if so the Lighting.co.za Team will contact you to recommend a similar item that is in stock or we will credit your account or make a full refund payment. Refund payments can take up to 10 days.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ORDER
Lighting.co.za uses an economy door to door courier service to ensure fast and direct delivery
anywhere in South Africa. Our courier service offers delivery from Monday - Friday 08:00am - 17:00pm. Our Courier partners aim to deliver from date of
dispatch to central areas in South Africa within 2-10 business days or to outlying areas within South Africa within 5-12 business days.

You will receive a tracking email with a tracking link as soon as your items have been booked with the couriers. Please check your Spam Folder as some emails might land there.
BACK ORDER ITEMS
Please view the Current Estimated Date of Arrival for new stock arriving on the Product Page. Kindly note dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Please check back to the website for changes or give us a call.
MADE TO ORDER ITEMS
Estimated Production time will be indicated on each Individual Product Page Description.
SHIPPING DETAILS
Please ensure you have the correct Shipping/Delivery Address & Street Postal Code when placing your order. We do not take any responsibility for incorrect shipping/delivery addresses. We do not deliver to a PO Box Postal Code or Address.
DAMAGE IN DELIVERY
Any visible damages must be reported within 48 Hours of signed waybill. Lighting.co.za will not accept responsibility for any damages not reported within this time frame.

Please make sure you or the person accepting the order on your behalf opens the package and inspect its contents for breakages or damage.
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
For International delivery please contact us directly and we will create an order for you offline.
OUR POLICY IN SHORT
Our policy lasts 7 calendar days. Should you wish to exchange or obtain a refund for your purchased product within 7 calendar days, we will happily credit you for the cost of the product (excluding cost of shipping both ways). NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS ACCEPTED ON MADE TO ORDER, CUSTOM MADE ITEMS, BULK ORDER ITEMS, BULBS OR ITEMS THAT WERE INSTALLED. We do not accept ANY returns or exchanges after 7 calender days and the matter will by considered as closed.

Only use CLEAR TAPE when closing the boxes. No masking, brown or courier adhesive tape will be allowed.

Please see the FULL Shipping and Returns Policy at the bottom of the website.
DAMAGE IN DELIVERY
Any visible damages must be reported within 48 Hours of signed waybill. Lighting.co.za will not accept responsibility for any damages not reported within this time frame. If you cannot accept the delivery, please make sure to ask the person accepting on your behalf to check for any damages.
STEPS TO TAKE
Prior to returning your product, please send an email to hello@lighting.co.za. Our customer care team will provide you with all relevant guidelines to proceed with the return (e.g. delivery process).

The following terms must be met: Fitting to be unused, uninstalled and in original condition as delivered with all the accessories and fitting to be returned in original packaging incl all the wappers. Only use CLEAR TAPE when closing the boxes. No masking, brown or courier adhesive tape will be allowed.
WHAT CANNOT BE RETURNED
We do not accept returns on any light bulbs.

We do not accept items that was previously installed.

Items that was bought on sale or with a discount coupon upon checkout incl but not limited to Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Made to Order Items (MTO); custom made/cut; specifically modified for you Items

Items made from natural materials such as wood or concrete - There may be some visual imperfections in the wood - this is characteristic of the design and should not be considered a flaw.

Gift Cards

Items damaged through normal wear and tear.

Items damaged due to Load Shedding or sudden unplanned power outages.

Items not installed by a qualified tradesman or electrician.

Modifications - where the product was amended, adjusted or tampered with in such a way that it is deemed as modified from the condition that it was originally supplied to you.

Once the items have been moved/transported from the original delivery address - no return or exchanges will be accepted

Any shipping fees associated with the order

Change of mind - you have 7 calender days to see if item is fit for use - if not you can return but shipping both ways will be deducted from the item price - accept for warranty purposes*.
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
While the greatest care has been taken to ensure the colours shown are as close to the real thing as possible, colours may be influenced by your computer settings. Accordingly actual true colours and product size may vary slightly from the colours or product image portrayed online.

Products may differ from those pictured on the website due to natural variations in colour/finish and scale of the image

* View our full T&C at the bottom of our page.

Care Instructions

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

For all lighting products simply wipe down with a damp cloth (microfiber if possible) and only water, do not use any abrasive cleaning detergents. Under no circumstances must self-adhesive tape price tickets be attached to a lighting article. The chemical in the self-adhesive could damage the fitting.

For all Decor Items wipe with a dry, clean cloth for general maintenance. Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with a mixture of water and a mild dishwashing detergent if thorough cleaning is necessary - do not use abrasive brushes as this will cause scratching. Only clean as necessary

PRODUCT FINISH

*Disclaimer: While the greatest care has been taken to ensure the colours shown are as close to the real thing as possible, colours may be influenced by your computer settings. Accordingly actual true colours may vary slightly from the colours portrayed online.

Products may differ from those pictured on the website due to natural variations in colour/finish and scale of the image.

* View our full T&C at the bottom of our page.

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Rotterdam Dutch Rattan Cane Shade Pendant Light 2 Sizes

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Create a tranquil home aesthetic instantly with the understated Rotterdam Dutch Open Woven Rattan Cane Shade Pendant Light. Crafted from solid iron and natural rattan ideal for styling entryway voids, dining rooms, and reading nooks. Assembly will be required. Product Details MADE TO ORDER Last Order Date for 2023 deli

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Guest post written by Emily Vidovich
Biophilia is defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings. The term is derived from the Greek words for "life" and "love or affection;" making its literal translation "love of life." This concept is foundational to biophilic design, which utilizes natural materials, patterns, and phenomena to maintain a connection to nature within the built environment. Biophilia is more than just a philosophy-biophilic design has been found to support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being. NRDC incorporates biophilic design into all its offices to encourage the connection between humans and nature, as well as promote staff wellness and productivity. Since the average American spends 90 percent of their life indoors, increasing biophilia in the built environment would have significant results.

Nature in the Space. The direct presence of nature in a space in the form of plants, animals, water, breeze, scents, light, shadows, and other natural elements.

Natural Analogues. The representational presence of natural materials, patterns, objects, colors, and shapes incorporated into building design, facade ornamentation, decor, and furniture.

Nature of the Space. The incorporation of spatial elements commonly found in nature such as expansive views, places of sensory refuge (such as a quiet and dark room that simulates a cave), and a mild sense of risk (like stepping stones over a shallow pond).

Under the canopy of biophilic design, there are three categories:

Within the three categories of biophilic design are 14 patterns that detail different ways to incorporate each category into a space. Which patterns to incorporate depends on both the needs of the structure and the personal preference of occupants; some people will resonate more with incorporating living environmental features, while others love natural shapes and sounds. The beauty of biophilic design is that its elements can be mixed and matched to create a personalized ecosystem.

Many NRDC offices share the same biophilic design elements:

Maximize natural light through an open floor plan, abundant windows, skylights, and light wells. (Exposure to natural light has been found to boost productivity, increase Vitamin D absorption, and ward off seasonal depression).

Include foliage and nature themed artwork in the form of climbing gardens, honeycomb-shaped wall tiles covered in moss, and potted plants. (Studies found that the presence of plants in the workspace reduces mental fatigue and boosts productivity).

Use natural materials, including sustainable poplar and bamboo, in furniture and paneling. (Opting for natural materials reduces exposure to chemicals found in common construction materials).

In addition to these elements, there are features unique to specific locations. In the Washington, D.C. office a sound masking system can be heard (or not heard) that creates a white noise encouraging tranquility, and a "living wall" covered in local plants can be found in the kitchen. In offices where the outdoors are more accessible, occupants can enjoy it through floor to ceiling windows in the Bozeman office, and soak up the sunlight and ocean views by sitting on the rooftop terrace in the Santa Monica office.

Biophilic design does not require a large budget or versatile space; there are many simple ways to apply biophilic principles to a space, whether it is leased or owned:

Open curtains and windows so that occupants can be guided by the daily movement of light and allow dynamic air movement and natural fluctuations in temperature.

If living in an area with high levels of air pollution, add a portable HEPA air purifier to the room to maintain healthy air quality.

Place easy to care for indoor plants near frequently used areas.

Incorporate auditory or olfactory elements, such as using a nature sounds playlist when falling asleep, or diffusing essential oils.

As the human population grows and access to wilderness becomes limited, incorporating nature into the built environment becomes increasingly important so that the inherent connection between humans and nature is not lost. Consistent exposure to natural elements through biophilic design supports longevity and ensures that future generations maintain an affinity with nature, so that they will grow up to be stewards of the wild places and animals that make our planet magnificent.

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Bringing the Outdoors In: The Benefits of Biophilia

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Biophilic design has been found to support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being.

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Lighting choices can make or break a room's design and mood. Fix outdated or inefficient lights with these expert tips on choosing and updating fixtures, bulbs, and switches. Use these lighting ideas to brighten rooms, save energy, and give your home an entirely new look.

10. Change Your Oldest Lighting Fixture

Lighting manufacturers have made it easier than ever to replace energy-hogging fixtures and bulbs for ones that last longer and trim utility bills. When you're at your lighting showroom, simply look for products with the Energy Star label. Old lighting fixtures can quickly date a space. Replacing old chandeliers and flush-mount lights with fresh models can take years off your home's looks.

11. Pick a New Shade

Lampshades have more practical design power than they get credit for. Lighter-color shades can diffuse light in a wider circle. A darker shade concentrates the light, focusing it on a surface. A new shade is also an opportunity for you to try out a punch of color and pattern before you redo a whole room.

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15 Essential Tips to Dramatically Improve Your Home's Lighting

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Lighting can make or break a room's design and mood. Get these expert tips on choosing updated fixtures, bulbs, and switches.

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Many modern homes feature open plan layouts and stripped floors and walls. Whilst perhaps being easy on the eye, it is not a combination that is particularly easy on the ears. Sound waves bounce off hard surfaces. This extends reverberation times and creates an echo.
Consequently, when you furnish a home you need to think about what you have to do to create a pleasant acoustic environment with zero echo. This does not need to cost an arm and a leg. We have put together a few tips for how you can easily improve the acoustics in your home.

Tip no. 1: Put an adequate amount of furniture in the space
Sound waves need to be broken up (diffused), and the best way of doing this is by using objects that are not soft. Your coffee table, pedestals with plants, anything that has a hard surface in the room actually helps improve the acoustics as it breaks up the sound waves. Therefore, it is important to "fill" the space with enough furniture to create sound wave break points. In other words, the room should not be too empty.

Tip no. 2: Absorb sound using soft materials
Sound waves bounce against hard surfaces such as windows, walls, ceilings, and floors. Use heavy duty rugs/carpets on the floor and hang curtains. The thicker the material, the better the sound absorption. A sofa or bed usually works well as a sound absorbing element in the centre of a room.

Ceilings are usually more difficult to improve from an acoustics perspective. However, Abstracta's popular sound absorbing Lily lamp stops sound waves from bouncing onto a ceiling, making it perfect to use as a sound absorber.

Tip no. 3: Use walls smart - think angles!
You can create a good acoustic environment by placing tall, sound absorbing elements, such as bookshelves, against a wall that is at right angles to the wall where the nearest sound absorbing element is located, e.g. a thick curtain or a suspended sound absorber. Talking about bookshelves, fill them with books instead of ornaments. Books in large numbers work wonderfully well as sound absorbers.

Tip no. 4: Home office
If you can, put your home office in a separate room. Generally speaking, doing this will enable you to be more focused than if you were working at the kitchen table in the middle of your house. Do you make many phone calls or video conference calls? Placing a soft material in front of you will make the acoustics of the call much more pleasant. In practice, this means positioning your desk in front of a curtain or bookshelf, or placing a table screen along the long side of your desk.

Tip no. 5: Staircases - an acoustic trap
In a staircase there are often several parallel walls, like a cube, where sound waves can emanate freely and create an echo. You can counteract this simply by hanging objects on the wall surfaces that break up the sound waves. The classic "staircase wall hanging" is no longer a common feature in homes today, but you can make a smart decision and hang some form of textile along one staircase wall, or hang something on the walls that breaks up sound waves e.g. sound absorbing panels or small shelves.
See the Abstracta range of acoustic products

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5 easy ways to improve the acoustics in your home | Abstracta

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When you furnish a home you need to think about how to create a pleasant acoustic environment. 5 tips for how you can easily improve the acoustics!

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In August, we posted a blog about how biophilic design can help reduce stress and encourage renewal in the workplace. Further to understanding what biophilic design is and why it can be so beneficial, is learning how to better integrate biophilic design principles into your workplace.

Incorporating nature into workplace design need not be as literal as framed prints of outdoor scenery or leaves etched onto a glass tabletop. Truly successful biophilic design helps people feel like they have places to settle, explore, adapt and be creative in their workplaces.

The following applications offer a more refined, subtle perspective.

Workplace environments that engaging multiple senses allow people to more easily experience renewal and inspiration. An example is that the severe right angles and flat colors often used in office spaces aren't naturally occurring in nature. Nature provides a wide range of organic shapes, so rounded forms like domes, arches, and vaults provide psychological comfort. Live elements within an office space, such as plants, have been shown to help prevent fatigue around tasks that demand high concentration.

People experience improvements in mood and sleep when views, length of day, and workplace temperature are more in line with what's happening outside. Natural light counteracts the flatness of artificial lighting and overstimulation of bright screens, helping people to feel alert, optimistic, and well. Air flow is another natural element that connects people to a sense of climate, freshness, and seasons.

Encountering challenges in natural settings, from crossing a landscape to creating shelter, is part of how people learned to overcome adversity and build resilience, according to social ecologist Stephen Kellert. Facing challenges inspires us to creatively solve problems with resourcefulness, empathy, collaboration and awareness. In the workplace, wayfinding through environments helps people to build cognitive and perceptive skills.

4. Local Distinctiveness

Using local natural colors, features, and materials is commonplace in architectural and design character of most places. From wood to stone to clay, people instinctively prefer natural materials to artificial or foreign ones. These elements can provide positive associations and make office spaces look less antiseptic and anonymous. Incorporating local symbols adds greater attachment to the community, especially workspaces in renovated and repurposed buildings.

Through these applications, biophilic design helps define richer possibilities and priorities for workplace design. Ultimately, greater creative potential will be unlocked in a rejuvenating work environment-where nature fosters a sense of meaning, belonging and wellbeing.

Looking for information on ancillary furniture for residential inspired work spaces? Contact us or download our lookbook today!

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4 Ways to incorporate biophilic design in the workplace | Red Thread

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Biophilic design benefits workplace wellbeing, but how do you integrate it? Here's 4 ways to design spaces where people can explore, adapt and be creative.

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"Architects, interior designers, and even office managers have begun incorporating elements of Biophilia to alleviate the disparity between our urban lives and our born need to be close to nature, making our office environments more palatable,"
Amanda Lim, Head of Knight Frank's Flexible Office Solutions

For most of us city dwellers today, the "natural habitat" is largely the built environment; however, human evolution and the human body were not designed for this, leaving us with mental fatigue and a lack of natural balance.

Biophilic office design aims to address the artificial quality of office environments. It is about introducing biophilic design elements that focus on the aspects of nature that contribute to our physiological indicators of physical and mental health.

The biophilic design utilizes natural materials, natural light, and natural patterns, to construct a built environment that maintains a connection to the natural world.

More than just design principles, biophilic design in commercial buildings has been found to have restorative qualities, boosting employee well-being and psychological health.

Many businesses are keen to have a biophilic design in the workplace for the many benefits it has for employees, and guests, not to mention the financial gains.

However, it can be daunting to decide where to start with biophilic design, but worry not, we will come to that - so read on to find out the benefits of biophilic design and how to welcome biophilic design principles into your already existing office space.

What Is Biophilic Office Design?

Biophilic office design as a concept is derived from the theory of 'Biophilia'. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an intrinsic human nature connection with the natural world.

'Biophilia' originates from Greek, literally meaning a love of life or living things, and this is the idea that the human fascination and need to interact with nature stems from a biological drive to interact with other living things such as plants and animals.

In a nutshell, biophilic design is about supporting our innate need to connect with nature in the modern urban environment.

When upgraded to a biophilic space, the office building boosts human health and improves cognitive function. It's no wonder that businesses are investing in biophilic design trends for the workplace at an increasing rate!

What Are The Benefits Of Biophilic Design?

Help People Recover Faster From Illness

According to trusted environmental consultants Terrapin Bright Green, biophilic design principles can save $93 million in healthcare costs by increasing views from hospital beds to nature as patients require less time in the hospital to recover from major surgery.

Increase Businesses' Profit Margins

Retail stores with natural daylight and greenery enjoy higher profit margins than their lifeless competitors by 12% for shops with more greenery and 40% for those with quality daylighting.
See how Restaurant Owners Boost Their Business With Planter Decor And Patio Design.
Reduce Sickness And Sick Leave For Employees

Plants can help lower the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS), a disorder associated with interior environments that are considered to be caused by variables such as inadequate ventilation, low humidity, and poor lighting. Symptoms include headaches, skin irritation, and sleepiness, and they can have a significant influence on a workforce's productivity.
Learn more about the 12 Best Indoor Office Plants: Experts' Top Choices
Plants can aid with SBS symptoms by eliminating harmful indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.

Increase Employees' Productivity

Furthermore, employees perform better in offices with domestic plants, according to Dr. Chris Knight and colleagues at Exeter University. Years of studies have revealed that workers are 15% more productive when houseplants and décor are present. Employees that are more involved with their surroundings deliver more and are more focused.

See How Plants Make Your Office Team More Productive.

So how do you get biophilic benefits?

Six Principles Of Biophilic Design

At its core, biophilic design is about the overall environment and space, and less about a single or non-correlated occurrence of natural elements. The biophilic elements should tie together the entire home or office environment, integrating it together into an interconnected ecosystem. It is through the continuous engagement with natural elements that the benefits of biophilic spaces come through.

With this in mind, we look at the 6 biophilic elements that allow for its positive impact to come through.

1. Environmental Features
Learn more about The 6 Health Benefits of Indoor Plants
In biophilic design, nature and natural features such as water features, plant life, and fresh air are integral. One of the most successful strategies for making the indoors seem like an outdoor space is the simple presence of plants.

Constant contact with greenery has a calming and peaceful effect on the office space, having plants coherently integrated into interior design can reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive performance and well-being. It allows for the urban environment to be a space of respite by connecting building occupants to natural materials.

2. Light And Space

Light is the crucial element behind many chemical, biological, and psychological processes in our bodies. It controls our circadian cycle as well as affects our mood and energy levels.

Biophilic design spaces are those designed to amplify natural light or to mimic the rhythmic changes of light and shadow during the day helping to regulate our mental health, mood, and sense of wellness.

3. Natural Shapes And Forms

Variable natural environments are something biophilic design seeks to bring into the indoors. Biophilic interior designers have their work cut out for them as biomorphic forms and organic shapes are as complex and varied as they come. This includes the grand openness of the steppes and the intricate details of a snowflake.

To integrate this design in the workplace or home, natural materials or symbolic textural or pattern references from nature can be used to create natural analogs. A perfect example of this is zen gardens.

4. Restorative Patterns And Processes

This fourth principle looks at our sensory systems and how our senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch change and flow with nature. Humankind has long required managing highly sensuous as the natural world around us is in constant motion.

The built environment, however, tends to be one of sameness and stability. Biophilic office design in the workplace needs to create this flow of constant changes, be it the inclusion of outdoor areas, or different types of textures and colors indoors.

5. Place-Based Relationships

Here we look at design as contextualizing the interior space within the wider area's historical, cultural, ecological, or even spiritual context in mind.
Related article: How Biophilia Can Be Used In Restaurants to meet hospitality goals!
Good biophilic design incorporates elements of the above. This could be in the form of provoking artwork that harmonizes well with the company culture. Incorporate plants to soften such sentiments and induce feelings of vitality. The point of this principle is to promote identity, break monotony, and gain some comfort and encouragmement along the way.

6. Evolved Human-Nature Relationships

This last biophilic design principle focuses on the relationship between humans and nature. The idea is to restore our responsibility to care for the environment. It is also about nature being a place of refuge for us, and biophilic design aims to recreate this sense of perceived safety.

10 Ways To Incorporate Biophilic Office Design In The Workplace Without Extensive Structural Renovations

The benefits of biophilic office design are evident, it can bring about stress reduction, healthy blood pressure, boost mood, and in general help with an overall sense of wellness for everyone in the office.

While the plus points of having a biophilic office design are clear, having an entire building or office space developed with a biophilic design is often out of reach for many business owners. This might be because the business owners may not own the entire property, their office is within a historic building, or they might be renters - for many such reasons, a complete biophilic structural overhaul is often unrealistic.

Even with such limitations in place, biophilic elements can be incorporated into your office space. Here are 10 great ideas that you can pick and choose from to create a harmonious and beautiful workspace.

1. Grow A Green Wall

Green walls or living walls are a simple and structurally non-intrusive way to add a biophilic design to your office. An entire wall turned into a living wall can be impressive and eye-catching. If this is simply impossible or out of budget, consider hanging planters vertically on the walls to create a similar green effect.

Another simple way to incorporate green walls into your workspace is to use wall-mounted planters, Jay Scotts' Nile wall planters are extremely lightweight and sturdy since they are made from the finest fiberglass; therefore, installing a green wall using Nile planters won't leave any damage to your vertical spaces. With only 5" width, these planters are perfect low-profile additions to indoor or outdoor vertical spaces.

For greater impact, situate the green wall in a high foot traffic area of your office space, allowing people to interact with nature regularly throughout the work day.

2. Welcome Natural Light

Embrace all the natural light that your office comes with. If possible choose a building with large windows, otherwise, work with what you have.

Remove clunky and musty curtains and blinds, and any other elements that may block the path of light, such as large tables or cabinets. Arrange the furniture to work with rather than against the light, for example, an open-plan office would allow daylight to flow through more naturally and expansively.

3. Use Different Textures
See how Jay Scotts' rectangular planters were used to frame pathways and divine spaces in one of our featured projects: Pura Vida Las Olas, Miami
To avoid the same effect that many built environments have, consider introducing different textures and shapes in the office. One does not need to redo the entire space to introduce natural elements. Even something as simple as your receptionist's desk, for example, could be in a wavy shape and made from different panels of wood.

Learn more about Interior Landscape Design!

4. Create Green Paths And Spots With Potted Plants

Ample foliage is at the heart of biophilic design. Planters are one of the most fuss-free and elegant solutions to introducing greenery into the workplace.

A holistic flow to the greenery should be the goal and this can easily be achieved by using rectangular planters to frame pathways, line walls, or create little islands of plants that will be a source of respite and calm as one moves about that particular space.

5. Choose Reflective Wall Art

Going back to the fifth biophilic design principle of contextualizing your workplace within the area's topography and history, a beautiful way to pay homage is through relevant artwork.

Dedicating spaces to the artwork that reflects nature and history uplifts the spirit and morale of employees, and brings about a sense of community. Consider hiring local artists to paint murals on the wall, or displaying sculptures or handiwork that respects the relationship between humans and nature.

6. Improve Air Quality

Air quality is essential for the health of employees and customers, having movement of air also mimics the natural world, which is an important part of biophilic design.

To improve air quality, you can use air filters, open up ventilation between indoors and outdoors, and of course, make sure that there are plenty of plants in the office.
Learn Why Experts Favor Fiberglass as the best material for hardscapes and planters.
Read more about How To Fix Your Air Quality With Plants!

7. Add Water Features

Apart from having a lush amount of indoor plants, bringing in the element of water adds to the biophilic design.

A water feature, such as a small fountain, can be a focal point of serenity and calm in the hectic office. Water is such an integral part of life, and the sound of water flowing is such a natural one, bringing balance to the workplace.

8. Select Natural Materials

When it comes to furnishing the workplace, opt for natural over synthetic materials to bring in patterns, shapes, and textures from nature indoors. For example, choose to have sustainable wooden tables instead of plastic ones, or go for natural upholstery instead of pleather.

9. Creating A Bathroom With A Restorative Feel
Interested in biophilic plants? Download our free expert guide to the best indoor plants!
Creating a bathroom with a restorative feel is a simple but effective way to create a biophilic office design.

Surrounding the bathroom with plants would go a long way in making the space less clinical and cold. Think also about selecting a peaceful color scheme that evokes nature, such as deep blues and sandy tones reminiscent of the ocean.

10. Create A Safe Space

At the end of the day, biophilic design in the workplace helps create an office environment where employees can not only feel comfortable but also where they feel they belong.

Hard and softscapes such as planters offer a place of refuge when arranged correctly. Linear planters can be used to carve out private work and relaxation areas from large spaces and enable offices to divide rooms quickly and effectively.
Read our guide to learn how to use lines and shapes with planter arrangements to create balance and harmony! View Project
Learn how to use Plant Room Dividers In Commercial Spaces.

Foliage At The Forefront Of Biophilic Office Design

Greenery and foliage are fundamental to biophilic office design. More than just scattering random pots of plants about, it is about using foliage to create a cohesive, ecosystem throughout the workplace.

Why Use Fiberglass Planters For Easy Biophilic Design?

A beautiful way to bring the natural world of plants indoors is through a landscape of planters. Especially for offices that are unable to do extensive structural work, planters are an elegant solution for creating a biophilic environment.

Fiberglass planters have been a firm favorite of landscape professionals for their durability, strength, versatility, and beauty.

Especially when it comes to creating a biophilic office garden, interior designers have found the above qualities are essential for planters.

With a large container garden to look after all across the workspace, it is crucial that the planters are reliable, require little maintenance, and are lightweight enough to move about.

Fiberglass excels compared to other planter materials in all these aspects. With no need to worry about the planter, you can focus on the foliage instead.

See Jay Scotts Planters In Action!

Take a look and see how Jay Scotts planters were perfect for this office space!

Jay Scotts Planters Integrate Well With Biophilic Design

Made from commercial-grade fiberglass and handcrafted to perfection, our dedication to designing, manufacturing, and delivering world-class planters at incredible value has led us to the global leaders we are today.

Available in an array of 20 stunning standard colors, and the option for custom colors, that will be suitable for any color scheme you or your clients require, our team at Jay Scotts hand-finishes each planter with a UV protective coating before it leaves our headquarters in Miami, Florida.

Source our planters with peace of mind, all of our planters come with an industry-leading warranty emphasizing the commitment and value of our products and service. Choose from a large range of standard products or choose to custom order your own. Feel free to give us a call or put together a quote today!

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How To Incorporate Biophilic Office Design Elements Into Your Current Office Space

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Biophilic office design offers many benefits for employee well-being and productivity. Learn how biophilic design transforms your office space and enhances work experience.

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Biophilia is defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature. Research shows that biophilic design in workspaces has wide-ranging psychological and physiological benefits, including improved cognitive function, psychological well-being, and physical health.

in recent years, more interior designers and building managers have taken steps to artfully integrate the biophilic experience into architecture and interior design. To reap these benefits, here's how to incorporate it into your workplace.

1. Appeal to the Senses

All of our senses play into our experience when we are immersed in a natural environment. Consider installing a preserved moss wall, using window treatments to boost ventilation, or integrating naturally occurring rounded forms like domes and arches. Using sensory variation, biophilic design helps employees feel more energized, creating a positive impact on work environments.

2. Take Advantage of Natural Changes in Lighting

As many people re-adjust to working in the office, spending so much time indoors is a common complaint. The solution? Incorporate natural lighting into your workplace environment.

Solutions like windows, skylights, solar tubes, and light shelves can link people to the outdoors by mimicking their circadian rhythm. For example, in biophilic office design, natural lighting enhances visual comfort by counteracting the flatness of artificial lighting and bright screens. In turn, natural lighting helps employees and clients feel more engaged, alert, and productive.

3. Incorporate the Presence of Water

The presence of water enhances the biophilic experience. By appealing to multiple senses, water creates a soothing, mood-boosting, and restorative indoor space.

Interventions incorporating water into interior design have several health benefits, including lowered heart rate, blood pressure, and better memory. According to research, the presence of water also fosters feelings of tranquility. Water is ideal for introducing natural ambiance in hotels, offices, health care facilities, and other indoor spaces.

4. Decorate with Natural Foliage

Natural greenery and biomorphic patterns can also help your staff or clients feel more connected to nature. Whenever possible, include foliage and greenery in climbing gardens, preserved moss planters, or decorative moss mosaics.

Quiet Earth Moss decorative moss planters are a simple solution for any indoor environment. They are made using ezoBord, and are a great alternative to hard surface planters, offering the added benefits of acoustic sound dampening, space division, and even social distancing within larger spaces.

5. Use Natural Materials

Wherever possible, use natural materials, such as sustainable bamboo, in furniture and paneling. Natural wood is an important element of biophilic design, doubling as a building material and structural element. In offices, hospitals, and hotels, well-executed wall and ceiling designs can create feelings of well-being and comfort.

In addition, using complementary biophilic floor designs both inside and outside of a building can contribute to balance and harmony. It can also create one holistic indoor and outdoor space, which is a great way to bring the outdoors in.

Transform Your Business with Biophilic Design

Ultimately, biophilic design helps people feel more comfortable by creating a rejuvenating indoor environment.

As your staff and clients adjust to the post-pandemic world, our maintenance-free, anti-microbial preserved moss walls, decorative moss mosaic panels, and moss planters can promote an improved sense of connection and comfort in the workplace. Upgrade your business today with the natural beauty of Quiet Earth Moss.

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5 Ways to Incorporate Biophilic Design in Your Corporate Environment | Quiet Earth Moss

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Biophilic design introduces natural elements to indoor spaces. Learn how to incorporate biophilic design in your workplace to foster well-being and connection.

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Bumper-to-bumper interstate traffic. Billowing industrial smokestacks. These are just a few of the images that spring to mind when we think about air pollution. But what about indoor air pollution? Do you ever think just how safe the air is inside your home?

The truth is, air pollution in your home can be just as bad - or even worse - than it is outdoors. And with the average American spending 87% of their life indoors, you'd think that indoor air quality would be something we'd hear about more often. But don't panic! With a little preventative maintenance and some basic knowledge, you can take immediate steps to improve your indoor air quality today.

Common air pollutants.

Air pollutants can range from contaminants brought in from the outdoors by your pets to dangerous gas leaks. Carbon monoxide is a common air pollutant resulting from natural gas that escapes into your home without being burned off. Older homes may contain asbestos and lead particles, which can be damaging to the lungs when released into the air. In bathrooms and kitchens, mold and mildew can become a nuisance where moisture levels are typically higher than in the rest of your house.

Here are 7 things you can do right away to improve the air quality in your home:

1. Change your AC filter.

Air-conditioning systems are always working to give your home that perfect temperature all year round. But while they're cycling through all that air, they're filtering out some of those common air pollutants. Eventually, their air filters fill up and stop doing their job. Not only does that cause trouble for your indoor air quality, it also wears down your AC system, which can lead to costly repairs down the road. So, be sure to change your AC filters regularly, or get an air conditioning service plan which normally includes a filter change - especially if you are allergy-prone or live in a metropolitan area with high levels of pollution.

2. Don't forget about other air filters.

Your AC filter isn't the only thing working to keep the air clean in your home environment. If you really want to improve the air quality in your home, be sure to check the filters in your other household appliances. Your vacuum cleaner, clothes dryer and kitchen vents should all be inspected and maintained periodically. It's recommended to clean or replace these common household filters every few months.

3. Check your air ducts.

Air ducts are responsible for distributing hot and cold air throughout your home, providing a comfortable climate in every room. But ducts that are not installed properly or maintained can distribute contaminants from one room to another. Over time, dust, dander and even mold can accumulate in your ducts, reducing the overall air quality. Hire a professional to make sure your ducts are circulating fresh, clean air.

4. Use cooking vents.

Many indoor air pollutants come from the kitchen. Gas stoves release harmful contaminants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Even electric burners produce those same pollutants in lower levels, as well as other particles that can be easily absorbed into your bloodstream. So, when you're cooking, be sure to turn on your kitchen vents, or open a window to help filter out the air even more.

5. Keep your rugs and carpets clean.

Rugs and carpets do more than increase the comfort of your home. They act as their own air filters, trapping dust and other particles in their many fibers. Clean your carpets and rugs weekly and they will keep working for you, improving the air quality in your home just by lying there!

6. Control humidity in your home.

Humid and moist conditions breed mold and mildew that can trigger respiratory issues like allergies and asthma. Depending on your location, the hot summer months can bring about especially humid conditions. Reduce the amount of moisture in the air and curb the growth of irritating molds with a few well-placed dehumidifiers. There are a variety of humidifier options that will help maintain consistent humidity levels and create comfortable living conditions in your home.

7. Buy indoor plants to freshen the air.

Plants are nature's natural air filters. Buying a few indoor plants can do wonders to improve the indoor air quality in your home while enhancing your home décor. Small plants like ferns and lilies (which bloom indoors) and larger palm trees are the best options to pull contaminants out of the air.

Need help?

Keeping the air in your home pure and breathable requires diligence and preventative maintenance. Now that you've learned a few simple steps you can do yourself to reduce indoor air pollution, consider setting up an appointment with a Petro Home Services professional. We have a range of service plans that include AC filter replacement and more to help keep your air clean. Contact Petro Home Services today and breathe easy knowing the air in your home is clean and safe.

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7 ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce air pollution in your home.

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The weather can be unpredictable and emergencies can occur at any time. This is why Petro offers 24/7 customer service to all of our customers. Our technicians are always here for you. Contact Petro Home Services at any time with questions about your delivery and to inform us of any issues or service needs.

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The Importance Of Window Tint | Brower Tint & Graphics

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Window tinting is something that many property owners don't regularly think about. Maybe they don't see the reason to tint or don't understand its benefits.

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Designer’s Desk: 7 Concepts of Wellness Design Every Homeowner Should Understand

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BOWA In-House Designer Stephanie Dickens explains the 7 Concepts of Wellness Design Every Homeowner Should Understand as an investment in wellness.

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While often associated with playful and whimsical campuses, a Google architect and interior designer share just what truly makes a Google workspace

Google offices may have slides, climbing walls, nap pods, and basketball courts, but they aren't adult playgrounds, at least not wholly. "I think that the assumptions are very surface level," Joshua Bridie, Google's director of global interior design, tells AD. Movies like The Internship and video tours of the tech giant's workspaces have long offered glimpses into the home bases of Googlers across the globe, prompting common adjectives to surface when discussing the infamous spaces: colorful, playful, animated, or fun. And though these descriptions are true, social media or theatrical adaptations often fail to encapsulate the most essential adjective required to detail the Google offices: intentional.

"From day one, Google's founding principles with our products were that they had to be user first," Michelle Kaufmann, Google's director of research and development for the built environment, says. "And that's certainly how we think about our spaces too." In Google's 24 years, the company has pushed the office to its limits, operating on a belief that if the people who are working there are happy, healthy, and comfortable, then the company itself will thrive too. It's in this idea that the jungle-gym-like elements that Google offices are known for become as integral as a desk or a filing cabinet. "They're there because there is a need for the brain to disconnect and reconnect, so you can refocus your energies in an incredibly productive way," Bridie says.

Of course, it's not just playful and whimsical design that makes a Google office-many factors inform the look and feel of these notable spaces. Below, Kaufmann and Bridie take AD through three of the company's workspaces to show just what makes a Google office.

Pier 57 (New York City)

Whether working on a ground-up building or renovating an existing structure, the goal of every Google office is longevity and timelessness. "We think about every office very similarly, which is 'how can we make a building that is functional and vibrant for hopefully centuries?'" Kaufmann says. Unable to predict the future, the company opts to look to the past for buildings that have achieved this lofty objective. "It turns out there were five main common properties," Kaufmann explains: high ceilings, double-height space, access to daylight, long span between columns, and exposed structure. It's largely this design skeleton that defines almost any Google space.

From this core, Google designers look to incorporate three types of spaces: those designed for deep focus work, for collaboration and meetings, and to build community and spark innovation. Many of these core elements of a Google space are on display at the company's Pier 57 office in New York City: large windows open up to incredible views of the Hudson River, "neighborhoods" for teams are created within the relatively open floor plan, and numerous cafés and informal meeting spaces make room to decompress or ignite curiosity.

Bay View (Mountain View, California)

Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and Heatherwick Studios, Google's Bay View campus is the company's first completed ground-up project. "We had always been in existing buildings, and it's only really been in the past five to seven years that we've actually been designing ground-up buildings for ourselves," Kaufmann says. With a tent-like ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the building, the Bay View campus is easily one of the most unique offerings in the company's real estate portfolio. However, it also represents Google's push for sustainability. "We have this crazy, audacious goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 on a 24/7 basis with all of our buildings, including data centers," Kaufmann explains, adding that Bay View exemplifies many of the strategies the tech company plans to implement to achieve this.

Instead of checking off standard environmentally friendly boxes-like using recycled materials-Google designers look to make their sustainability efforts just as beautiful and exciting for employees as they are for the Earth. "It's about being sustainable while thinking about how we can create an extraordinary user experience," Kaufmann explains. At the Bay View building, solar panels on the roof mimic a dragon's scale in a visually interesting and original way, while a landscaped retention pond acts as an on-site wastewater treatment center, for example. "Thinking about sustainability from a user-first perspective is our unique approach," Kaufmann says.

Peachtree (Atlanta)

Though the Google offices all have similar backbones, they each have their own flair too. "We want our spaces to be cousins, not identical twins," Bridie says, adding this is often done by leaning into the design vernacular of the local community. Often, the company partners with local design firms and artists to not only better understand the area, but to truly embed the community in the office. "We're tying to understand that local community and establish an aesthetic that is truly part of that region versus my interpretation of that region," he says. In the newest Atlanta office, murals painted by local artists don the walls of a coffee bar, a peach-shaped arch welcomes employees to the office every morning, and upcycled cassettes donated by local Googlers reference the city's musical history in a creative mural.

Still, despite the purposeful designs, what truly makes each office unique is the people who move in. "Sometimes the spaces that resonate the least with me become the most popular with the Googlers," Bridie says. "There are some things that might make design professionals uncomfortable, but I celebrate because it truly means that they now feel like they own the space, and that, to me, is success."

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You Won't Believe Work Gets Done at These Three Google Offices

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Though often associated with playful and whimsical campuses, a Google architect and interior designer share just what truly makes a Google workspace

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In the future, office design plans will prioritize employee wellness

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For starters, open-seating plans will be less awful.

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As you probably already know from of our series on designing for employee health, office design can have a significant impact on your employee's wellbeing and productivity. Whether you're moving into a new office or constructing your first corporate campus, your entire team should be thinking about how your employees will inhabit every space- and, in turn, the impact that these spaces will have on their mental and physical health.

In collaboration with our partner Two Furnish, we came up with four approaches we've deployed to help our clients design locations that help employees stay fit while they're at work.

Think Critically About Services Placement

For example, one of our tech clients in Los Angeles placed a staircase in the middle of the floorplan instead of on the perimeter. When staircases are accessible and centrally located, employees are more likely to take the stairs instead of an elevator.

As you work with an architect to design the floor plan of your new office, pause to think about how employees will travel through the space. How can you organize services (such as bathrooms, kitchens, and elevators) in a way that will encourage employees to move?

Take Advantage Of The Outdoors

Walking meetings are all the rage today- they help employees gain more energy and reap all the benefits of increased physical activity, like lower healthcare costs and a reduced number of sick days.

Creating outdoor spaces like gardens, a track, or hiking trails will give your employees a big push to take their meetings outdoors when the weather permits. Offering umbrellas that anyone can take when they head out for a walk is another way to encourage them to think of the outdoors as another workspace.

Microsoft's campus in Seattle, which is pedestrian friendly includes walking paths just for recreation, does an excellent job of creating space for outdoor work and leisure. Nearby forest trails provide additional options for employees wanting to get away from their desks and enjoy some fresh air.

In 2017, the technology company created a outfitted with power outlets and wifi for use as a meeting space or outdoor workstation. Their intention was to foster a greater connection between their employees and the outdoors, which has been shown to boost creativity and wellbeing.

If building your own outdoor paradise isn't in the budget, consider looking for an office adjacent to a public park, beach, or recreation site. If you're seeking space in the financial district where outdoor space may be limited, consider a building with a public open space such as a rooftop garden.

Incorporate Ergonomic Furniture

70% of all full-time workers in the U.S. hate sitting, but they're often stuck glued to their task chairs day in and day out. Long periods at a desk combined with poor posture can also lead to back pain, which can contribute to increased rates of absenteeism.

Offer your staff a variety of ways they can work outside of the standard office chair. This could be sit-to-stand desks, modular furniture, foam mats to make standing more comfortable, configurable tables with casters, or yoga balls. By giving employees the gift of choice, they'll be encouraged to move into whatever position is most comfortable for them throughout the day.
"Nearly 85% of the offices we're actively engaged on consider height adjustable resident desks," said Brian Buhl, Partner at Two Furnish. "It goes beyond being fad; it's a tool amongst the extensive list of amenities and incentives that companies are advocating for. These desks in addition to a diverse mix of ancillary vignettes inspire a degree of user-based autonomy leaving it up employees to determine which posture and environment is seemingly most productive to work in on-demand."
Create Rooms / Spaces Dedicated to Wellness

Finally, give employees space they can use to move their body and relax their mind. The workout they get from a game of ping pong, a brief yoga session, or a workout in an on-site gym can provide quick stress relief.

And don't be afraid to think outside the box: not all fitness is physical. Two Furnish worked with Kelly Robinson who co-designed medication pods with Headspace, creating a place where employees could step away for a moment of calm as our main featured photo. The "Lookout" also serves as a communal space adjacent to a large café and auditorium integrating a multipurpose room for a few minutes of repose.

These are just a few of the many ways you can use design to help your employees feel better both during their time at the office and when they get home at the end of the day. When you're ready to think about how your office space contributes to employee health, we're here to help. Reach out to us for a free consultation.

Special thanks to our contributor: Brian Buhl, Partner at Two Furnish

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Workplace wellness office design strategies - part II - The Bridge Group, LLC

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Design your office with these workplace wellness strategies with physical/movement and nature elements to improve employee happiness and health.

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Office design ideas to promote wellness in the workplace | Robin

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Too often, open offices are designed without employee health and well-being in mind. Here are some design ideas to help employees feel comfortable.

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If people are keen to go into their workplace, half the productivity battle has been won. A great temptation you can add to your office design is a 'wellness space'. Healthy and motivated employees who feel appreciated will always be the best version of themselves at work. Workplace design and fit-out company Evoke Projects looks at office wellness spaces and the companies that are taking advantage of them.

Types of office wellness space
Physical exercise and meditation spaces
Add a table tennis table, treadmill, yoga/meditation room, or schedule regular exercise classes in a meeting room. As well as dedicated physical exercise spaces, activity can be encouraged throughout the workday. Set a fun fitness challenge for each team. Have walking meetings outdoors, particularly for brainstorming. Stand up desks and printers that are not too conveniently situated within the office fit-out will reduce sedentary behaviour.
Biophilic design and access to nature
Who doesn't feel refreshed hanging out with Mother Nature? There are so many workplace design opportunities to increase access to nature and improve health and well-being: courtyards, living walls, pot plants, opening windows to let in fresh air, natural light and water features.

There is some evidence that a daytime power nap improves workplace well-being by reinvigorating the brain and the body. A short 15-20 minute nap is an easy and effective way to boost alertness and productivity. A nap also improves mood, creativity, and learning. EnergyPod claims to have made the world's first official office nap chair. It requires limited space and helps overcome dated stigma related to sleep. https://metronaps.com/#energypod
Goodbye kitchen, hello cafeteria
Turn your office kitchen into a café! Clever workplace design can transform a functional looking kitchen into a funky café. Consider a central island bench with bar stools, a good quality coffee machine, pantry, large fridge, stylish light fittings and artwork. If you have the space, it can become a relaxing breakout area with sofas, charging points and a tv.
Mother's room
For workplace well-being, Tonya Dydahl writes in OnOffice magazine about the benefits of dedicated wellness rooms for new mothers to relax or express milk.1 She recommends scheduling software to guarantee privacy, curtains or dividers for multiple users, comfortable seating (like a recliner with easy-to-clean vinyl or polyurethane upholstery), cleaning supplies, waste disposal, adequate table space and locking storage compartments. The interior design should have inspiring and invigorating art that compliments a peaceful colour palette. Consider adding a bulletin board or magnetic board for photos of babies in a show of camaraderie with other new mothers.
Space-limited ideas
If office space is limited, consider wellness products that can fit into a small area such as a massage chair or infrared sauna.

Mental health benefits

As well as the obvious health benefits, wellness spaces within the office fit-out deliver mental health benefits. Neuro-architecture is the science around our brain's response to the built environment around us. The right mixture of colour, light and functionality can be calming, stimulating and everything in between. Medibank's new HQ in Melbourne has wellness spaces and reported that four months after moving into the new HQ, a survey found that 70 per cent of respondents said they were healthier and 66 per cent reported they were more productive, while its call centre wing had seen a 5 per cent fall in absenteeism.2

Examples of wellness spaces at work
Kingston Lafferty Design - Dedicated wellness and focus rooms
Dublin interiors firm Kingston Lafferty Design has incorporated green walls, a yoga studio and rooftop terrace across the eight floors of their co-working office in the centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Called Urban HQ, the office fit-out includes private working booths, open offices and meeting rooms, dedicated wellness and focus rooms, co-working areas, coffee docks and a central lounge and event space that employees can move freely between. KLD founder Róisín Lafferty explains that the workplace design incorporates "tactile finishes through cork flooring and suspended planting combined with a mirror to fill the room with natural light - all proven to contribute to overall workplace wellbeing".3
Google - Sleep pods and meditation chambers
Google has installed EnergyPods for power naps. The EnergyPod is powered by firmware developed around a simple principle: a 20-minute nap is beneficial for well-being and productivity. Google also has bunker-inspired meditation chambers that combine technology, light and sound to create a meditative effect.4,5
Epic Software - Treehouse
Staff in the Wisconsin HQ of healthcare software maker Epic can hold meetings in a treehouse conference room, located in the midst of black cherry trees and red pines.6
Medibank - Sports court and edible garden
Medibank's new HQ in Melbourne includes a sports court, an edible garden and 2,300 indoor plants aimed at supporting productivity, engagement and collaboration.7

How to incorporate a wellness space in the office fit-out

The WELL Building Standard has guidelines to help businesses create spaces that enhance human health and well-being. Many of the concepts within WELL can be applied to wellness spaces: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community.
The office fit-out team at Evoke Projects are ready to help you design and construct a wellness space. Please call us on 1300 720 692. Bring on wellness in 2022!
1. https://www.onofficemagazine.com/opinion/workplace-wellness-mother-rooms

2,6,7. https://www.jll.com.au/en/trends-and-insights/workplace/how-companies-are-fostering-wellbeing-in-the-workplace

3. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/01/31/kingston-lafferty-design-urban-hq-belfast-office/

4. https://metronaps.com/#energypod

5. https://www.wallpaper.com/design/google-office-meditation-rooms

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If people are keen to go into their workplace, half the productivity battle has been won. A great temptation you can add to your office design is a 'wellness space'.

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Improving Workplace Wellbeing with Office Design

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Encouraging employee wellbeing & health with the right office design can be hugely beneficial. Both for business and employees. Find out more.

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How to Use Photoshop: The Bookmarkable Photoshop Tutorial for Beginners

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Explore this beginner’s guide to 12 of the most useful tools in Photoshop to find out what they do, where to find them, how to use them, and a few tips and tricks for getting the most out of them.

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In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of employee well-being in the workplace. Companies have recognized that a healthy, happy workforce is not only essential for employee satisfaction but also directly impacts productivity and overall business success. One of the primary ways organizations can promote wellness and productivity is by creating a healthy workspace that fosters both physical and mental well-being. This article will explore various office design elements that promote wellness and productivity, and how you can create a healthy workspace in your organization.

1: The Connection between Workspace Design, Wellness, and Productivity

Research has shown that a well-designed workspace can significantly impact employee wellness, engagement, and productivity. A healthy workspace can boost morale, reduce stress, and even help prevent illness, resulting in lower absenteeism rates and improved employee retention. By investing in a well-designed office environment, companies can reap the benefits of increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and ultimately, a more profitable organization.

1.1: The Role of Workplace Culture

A healthy workspace goes beyond just the physical environment; it also encompasses the workplace culture. Promoting a culture of wellness and open communication encourages employees to prioritize their well-being and fosters a sense of belonging. Implementing policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible work hours and remote work options, can contribute to a healthier and more productive workforce.

2: Key Elements of a Healthy Workspace

2.1 Natural Light and Biophilic Design: Natural light has been proven to improve mood, reduce eye strain, and enhance overall well-being. Incorporating natural elements such as plants, water features, and views of nature can also have a positive impact on employee well-being and productivity. Biophilic design principles integrate these natural elements into the workspace, creating a more harmonious environment that encourages relaxation and focus.

2.2 Ergonomic Furniture: Providing ergonomic seating and workstations can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and enhance employee comfort. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity, as employees are less likely to suffer from discomfort and fatigue throughout the day. Consider adjustable chairs, standing desks, and monitor arms to promote proper posture and prevent strain.

2.3 Flexible Spaces: A variety of workspaces, including open areas for collaboration and quiet spaces for focused work, can support the diverse needs of employees and promote productivity. Breakout areas, equipped with comfortable seating and amenities, can offer a refreshing change of scenery for informal meetings or relaxation.

2.4 Air Quality: Poor indoor air quality can lead to increased illness and absenteeism. Providing proper ventilation, using air purifiers, and selecting low-VOC materials can improve air quality and contribute to a healthier work environment. Incorporating plants can also help filter the air, further enhancing air quality.

2.5 Acoustics: Noise pollution can be a significant source of stress and distraction in the workplace. Incorporating sound-absorbing materials and designing spaces with appropriate noise levels in mind can help create a more comfortable and productive environment. Consider acoustic panels, soundproof partitions, and noise-canceling headphones as potential solutions.

2.6 Color and Materials: The colors and materials used in the workspace can have a significant impact on employee mood and productivity. Choosing calming, neutral colors can create a sense of tranquility, while pops of vibrant colors can stimulate creativity and energy. Selecting materials that are visually appealing and environmentally friendly can further contribute to a healthy and productive workspace.

3: Steps to Create a Healthy Workspace

3.1 Assess your current workspace: Begin by evaluating your existing office environment to identify areas for improvement. Conduct a thorough audit of the space, considering aspects such as lighting, furniture, layout, and air quality. This assessment will help you determine the most effective changes to make in order to create a healthier workspace.

3.2 Engage employees: Solicit feedback from employees to understand their needs and preferences, ensuring that the redesigned workspace meets their expectations. By involving employees in the process, you can create a sense of ownership and pride in the new workspace, leading to increased satisfaction and engagement.

3.3 Collaborate with professionals: Work with architects, interior designers, and other professionals who specialize in creating healthy workspaces to develop and implement a plan for your office redesign. These experts can provide valuable insights and recommendations, ensuring that your workspace meets the highest standards for wellness and productivity.

3.4 Implement changes gradually: Introduce improvements in stages to minimize disruption to the workplace and allow employees to adapt to the new environment. This phased approach can help to ease the transition and ensure that employees are fully on board with the changes.

3.5 Monitor and evaluate progress: Continuously evaluate the success of your healthy workspace initiatives and make adjustments as needed to ensure ongoing improvements in employee well-being and productivity. Collect feedback from employees, track key performance indicators, and use these insights to refine your approach over time.

The Long-term Benefits of a Healthy Workspace

Investing in a healthy workspace not only has immediate benefits for employee well-being and productivity, but it also contributes to the long-term success of your organization. A well-designed workspace can help to attract and retain top talent, as employees increasingly value companies that prioritize their well-being. Furthermore, a healthy and productive workforce can enhance your company's reputation, leading to increased business opportunities and a stronger bottom line.

Creating a healthy workspace is essential for promoting employee well-being and productivity. By incorporating key design elements such as natural light, ergonomic furniture, and flexible spaces, companies can create an environment that fosters wellness and boosts performance. By following the steps outlined in this article and engaging with professionals, you can successfully transform your office into a healthy workspace that benefits both your employees and your organization.

If you're ready to transform your office into a healthy workspace, Global Healthcare Resources can provide expert wellness consulting to help you create an environment that fosters well-being and productivity. To learn more about how Global Healthcare Resources can assist with your wellness initiatives, visit https://www.globalhealthcareresources.com/wellnessconsulting. Let us help you create a workspace that benefits both your employees and your organization, leading to a brighter and more successful future.

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Building Healthy Workspaces: Office Design for Wellness and Productivity

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Discover how to create a healthy workspace that promotes employee well-being and productivity with our comprehensive guide on office design elements and strategies. Healthy workspaces, office design, wellness, productivity, biophilic design, ergonomic furniture, flexible spaces, air quality, acoustics, employee well-being

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High noise levels in the workspace are a significant concern for workers and clients alike. Many businesses experience a rapid increase in noise pollution, which can be dangerous to a person's health and productivity. Many locations and building types benefit from proper acoustic protection, including school auditoriums, hotels, restaurants, theaters, performance and sports venues, nightclubs, casinos, corporate buildings, warehouses and places of worship.

With several factors contributing to the rise in noise pollution, the importance of acoustic protection and quality sound design in our daily lives has never been more prevalent.

What Is Acoustic Protection?

Acoustics protection can provide employees with a safe and effective workspace by fostering a more comfortable soundscape. Rather than trying to enforce a silent work environment, acoustic protection helps manage the noise levels and reduce any background noise.

Some people only associate acoustics with the music industry, but it is a worthwhile concern for any facility. Acoustics describe how sound waves interact with the environment. Aspects such as reflection, reverberation and resonance make acoustics a determining factor of how pleasant or unpleasant a space sounds. The concept of acoustic protection comes from the fact that most buildings require some help to maintain safe and productive noise levels. Appropriate sound design will protect workers against harmful, loud sounds by achieving better acoustics.

Top 5 Benefits of Acoustic Protection

For some building types, such as warehouses and theaters, bad acoustics can be detrimental to a worker's performance or client's experience. Sometimes a space that echoes or a room where the sound falls flat can seem tolerable. However, good acoustics will bring valuable benefits to any business location or building.

Here are five acoustic protection benefits that apply to numerous facilities:

1. Improved Communication

The acoustics of a workspace can significantly impact our ability to process sounds because a noisy environment makes it challenging to understand other occupants. As the listener, you may need to concentrate more, which will quickly drain your energy. Meanwhile, the person speaking may need to talk louder, which only adds to the room's noise level. Too much background sound makes effective communication increasingly difficult.

Whether it's a school lecture hall or an open-plan office, proper acoustic protection will improve your ability to hear and understand each other. You can modify a building's structures and furnishings to absorb unwanted noise, such as echoes. Diffuse surrounding sounds to enhance the concentration of everyone inside the building. Appropriate acoustic protection reduces the background noise, ensuring the sounds you want to hear are clear and audible.

Acoustic protection can help keep the audience focused on a theatrical show. Meanwhile, good acoustics can benefit a classroom or office space by maximizing performance. Spectators, students and workers alike can better understand the surrounding conversation with the right acoustic protection measures.

2. Increased Productivity

Noise pollution makes work more challenging. Depending on the activity you're engaging in, a loud sound can easily divert your focus and diminish productivity. Still, it's essential to keep some sounds in these settings. Since a silent workplace can be just as distracting as a noisy one, proper acoustic protection will only minimize and cancel the unwanted noises that will break concentration.

When outside sounds are kept out and minor disruptions are absorbed, people can stay on task and achieve more in a given amount of time. Whether they're enjoying a musical performance, taking notes in class or completing work in their cubicle, people will be able to remain focused without background distractions getting in the way.

3. Worker Safety

High noise levels can impair our ability to work and learn, causing people in noisy environments to feel more irritable, unnerved and stressed. You may even feel pain from too much sound hitting your ears during an eight-hour workday. If your senses regularly process a large number of loud sounds, your energy will deplete even quicker - this impact on your energy levels can increase the risk of workplace accidents.

Workers must be able to hear one another, especially in workspaces with loud machinery or equipment. Loud outside sounds make it more challenging to stay on task and often prevent you from hearing alerts or warnings. As a result, reducing noise levels will create a safer and more welcoming environment for employees and clients.

By absorbing echoes, reducing background sounds and limiting other noises, acoustic protection can make it easier for people to hear one another in any environment. Avoiding accidents is much more manageable when people can focus and communicate efficiently.

4. Increased Privacy

Today, many workspaces and buildings have glass windows, hardwood, tile, concrete, bare walls, and other hard surfaces that effectively bounce sound off themselves in another direction. Unwanted outside noises and reverberations from your equipment aren't the only sounds that can carry in a room. Echoes can easily carry private conversations throughout spaces without proper acoustic protection.

Implement better noise absorption to muffle sound and prevent voices from carrying too far from their source. This increased privacy will allow people to hold conversations with the peace of mind that others cannot hear their words from across the room.

5. Protection of Products

Because acoustic protection can help improve your staff's concentration, team members can retain their focus without needing to repeat themselves constantly. They'll work more efficiently, ensuring the products are further protected from workplace accidents.

Additionally, the right acoustics and acoustic protection can take a decent sound system and significantly improve its quality. Whether you're managing a theater or a corporate space, you want to provide the best sound quality possible for a speaker addressing their audience. Appropriate acoustics protection will make your shows and presentations sound better.

The Dangers of Improper Acoustic Protection

High noise levels kill the nerve endings inside the inner ear. Short-term exposure to loud noises can lead to a humming in your ears or a temporary change in your hearing. Meanwhile, repeated exposure to loud noises could cause more damage, including permanent hearing loss. Improper acoustic protection will only increase your risk of noise-induced hearing loss together with the following factors:

How high was the noise level?

How long could you hear the noise?

How close were you to the noise?

Noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL, can occur whenever you hear loud sounds. This noise can be continuous, like listening to a concert, or a thunderous burst of sound, like an equipment explosion. Proper acoustic protection is intended to reduce your risk of hearing loss, but these high-performance solutions can only be effective when implemented correctly.

Other Risks and Health Problems

Without appropriate acoustic protection, loud sounds have nowhere to go and damage your inner ear. Repeated noise exposure can make you more tired, irritable and significantly impair your ability to communicate. You put the entire team at increased risk of injuries and accidents when you cannot hear and respond to warning signals.

In addition to permanent hearing loss, high noise levels can lead to other health problems, such as:

Faster heart rate.

High blood pressure.

Upset stomach.

Physical and psychological stress.

Sleeping problems, even after the noise stops.

Early Signs That Noise Is Too Loud

You may need to improve the acoustics in your workspace if you notice any of the following signs:

You experience temporary hearing loss after leaving work.

You hear humming or ringing called tinnitus for minutes or days after leaving the facility.

You must talk loudly or shout to be heard by other team members an arm's length away.

You can't hear or understand another coworker standing 3 feet away.

You notice a change in hearing after leaving the noisy area, and speech around you may sound muffled or dull.

If your team members report any indication that noise is too loud in the workspace, it is vital to implement proper acoustic protection before more permanent damage occurs. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has created a tool that you can download on your mobile device to measure the sound levels in your building. The Sound Level Meter App provides helpful noise exposure parameters you can use to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Staying Compliant With OSHA Noise Regulations

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 22 million employees experience exposure to high noise levels at work annually. That's why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulations surrounding noise exposure to protect workers from the potentially damaging effects of loud sounds.

Noise levels are measured in decibels or dBA. Any sound that registers at or below 70 dBA will not impact your health. When averaged over an eight-hour workday, sounds at 85 dBA or higher can lead to hearing loss. OSHA's Noise Standard provides that employers must reduce noise exposure in the workspace and start a hearing conservation effort when the environment exposes employees to noises at or above 85 dBA for more than eight hours.

Use a sound-measuring instrument, such as the Sound Level Meter App, to ensure the noise levels in your workspace are safe for employees. Noise dosimeters and octave band analyzers can also help you measure the noise levels in any building type. Appropriate acoustic protection can decrease occupational noise-induced hearing loss if noise is too loud. Beyond keeping your team safe, acoustic protection benefits your workplace by keeping you compliant with relevant standards.

Acoustic Protection Examples

Choose from various acoustic treatments and high-performance solutions to improve your workspace's noise levels. At Illuminated Integration, we provide the following acoustics services to help with the acoustic protection of any facility:

Direct audio coverage

Audio analysis and modeling

Real-time analysis (RTA)

Absorption and diffusion

Material selection

These acoustics services offer many unique solutions to address reflection, reverberation and resonance. Many building types need a combination of solutions to achieve the best acoustics.

Selecting Sound-Absorbing Materials

When installing sound absorption products, it is important to know which materials will best absorb the acoustics in your facility. Particular surfaces will absorb sound waves, while most hard surfaces will cause sounds to bounce off and travel around the room.

Sound-absorbing materials, often categorized as sound absorbers or sound diffusers, can absorb echoes due to their soft, fluffy, light or porous nature. Depending on the frequency of the sound waves you need to mitigate, you may choose one of the three primary materials:

Porous absorbers: Whether made of fibrous material or open-cell foam, porous absorbers effectively reduce sounds in the mid-range frequencies. The thicker the material, the more effective it will be at sound absorption.

Panel absorbers: Also known as membrane absorbers, panel absorbers are made of non-rigid and non-porous materials. They can handle low or bass frequencies, which can be more challenging to detect and absorb than higher frequencies.

Resonance absorbers: These materials have a mechanical or acoustic oscillation system. The holes or openings on the plates can trap and lock the sound waves inside, effectively absorbing and reducing both high and low frequencies.

When you want to improve a room's acoustics, sound absorption is a necessary solution that can take on a nearly infinite number of combinations. The right sound-absorbing material will reduce echoes and other unwanted background noise so that all you'll hear are the clear and audible sounds within the space.

The Best Acoustic Treatments for Your Workspace

Since several acoustic treatment options are available on the market, it may seem challenging to determine the correct solutions for your space. Common acoustic protection examples include:

Bass traps: These devices are designed to absorb or trap the bass sounds that collect at the corners of a room.

Acoustic fabric panels: The panels are often placed along the walls to blend into a room's decor and absorb excessive sound reverberation.

Acoustic foam panels: While acoustic fabric panels offer an aesthetic appeal, acoustic foam comes as a practical and raw material.

Ceiling clouds: Lightweight acoustic panels hang horizontally from the ceiling and absorb sound waves as they travel upward.

Diffuser panels: These panels are designed to diffuse the sound rather than absorb it, causing sound waves to scatter randomly across the room.

Fiberglass insulation: The insulation within your walls can prevent reverberation and stop sounds from passing through to other spaces.

Helmholtz resonators: Ideal for ongoing resonance problems, this device targets and absorbs frequencies similar to its own natural frequency.

On your own, deciding what combination will result in the best acoustic quality can take some trial and error until you find the right balance. At Illuminated Integration, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to your acoustics. After our team diagnoses the sound problems in your facility, we'll offer a perfectly tailored solution. Our acoustic protection proposal will be designed specifically for your space and how you want the acoustics to sound.

You'll notice a genuine difference in the environment once you've achieved the ideal acoustics. Whether it's an office, hotel, theater, school, store, restaurant or any other type of building, all occupants in your facility will benefit from the comfort and safety that proper acoustics protection can provide.

Learn More About Acoustic Protection and Its Importance Today

Improper acoustics protection can be dangerous for any facility. Without appropriate acoustics protection, the occupants of a space will have nothing to absorb, block or cover the loud noises in the environment. This exposure has countless effects, but there's a solution - designed and tailored just for your facility. When working in a theater, school, office or any other building, acoustic protection can have a positive impact on any environment and the people working in it.

Illuminated Integration offers various acoustics services, from direct audio coverage, audio analysis and modeling to material selection for ideal sound absorption and diffusion. No matter the size or complexity of your building, we will meet the needs of any project. Our capabilities can even extend from sound design to cover your lighting and video needs, too. As an audio, video and lighting (AVL) company, we can handle it all with high-performance solutions.

Contact Illuminated Integration for more information about acoustic protection and how your facility can improve its acoustics today.

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5 Benefits of Acoustic Protection | Illuminated Integration

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Bad acoustics can impact your team's communication, productivity, safety and more. Learn how acoustic protection can benefit your facility's sound quality now!

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Headlines have been howling for months about COVID-19 and the wildfires that have ravaged Colorado, the Pacific Northwest and California. What these two disparate disasters highlight is the need for optimum indoor air quality; both present major health risks.

Building codes cover basics like make up air requirements, toxic materials in building materials, and kitchen and bathroom ventilation. But they don't address the difficulty of keeping a deadly virus or unhealthful smoke and ash out of a home. Healthcare designers know how to do this for hospital settings; economies of scale don't exist for the places where we live... Yet.

Homeowners and designers are looking for solutions, from tried, true and simple, to emerging and innovative. Where do you fall in the spectrum? The answer may depend on your location, household composition and, for industry professionals, project scope.

At the simplest level, some houseplants have been shown to have air filtration powers, but they won't kill a deadly virus or eliminate smoke and ash. They do, however, create a welcoming atmosphere and deliver biophilia benefits. At the opposite level, smart home systems that manage indoor air quality are becoming more widely available and popular.
Common Environmental Toxins
If you, a family member or client has chemical sensitivities or a compromised immune system, you've probably been educating yourself about products that off-gas toxins. Past headlines have exposed faulty laminate flooring sold by a major retailer and newer reports warn of the danger of phthalates in some popular luxury vinyl flooring products, for example. That new house smell can be deadly!

On the other hand, many manufacturers have released paint lines with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is a tremendous advance, but did you know that electronics like televisions and computers can also off-gas? So can appliances, mattresses, carpeting and upholstery. What can you do about it?

If replacements are in the budget, you can research non-toxic alternatives to some of them through sources like the Healthy Building Network, Underwriter Laboratory's SPOT and others. There are situations where it's unavoidable. For example, consider the aging in place benefits of a morning kitchen for a senior's upstairs bedroom suite. Its dishwasher might be off-gassing into your client's sleeping area. So might the plush carpet or upholstered rocker in the nursery.

Kitchen and bathroom ventilation shortfalls are surprisingly common. In the first instance, the home is going to smell of food odors and possibly smoke, and its walls can get covered in grease over time. Inadequate or unused bathroom ventilation can result in mold and mildew issues. These are both easily addressed with widely available ventilation product upgrades.
IAQ Technology
Some of the latest ranges and cooktops on the market activate a companion vent hood automatically to prevent cooking pollutants. Sensor vent fans do the same in the bathroom, and can be a real benefit to homes with teens or seniors with memory issues who may forget to use them.

Where you can't avoid off-gassing risks because the space calls for a sophisticated computer setup or home theater, for example, an air quality detector can spot problems, an ozone-free air purifier can help eliminate them and a smart home air quality management system can react on its own to IAQ issues.
Radon Risk
One under-appreciated air quality risk is radon exposure. Like carbon monoxide, radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can kill you. CM does it fairly quickly; radon does it slowly as the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

A decade or so ago, there was a lot of hype about the radon risk of granite countertops, (driven heavily by competitive products). Experts say that the risk is low in this regard, but it's not when it comes to basement and first floor living areas, since radon can be found in soil, particularly in some regions of the U.S.

Radon testing kits let you know if a space is impacted and radon detectors can alert you on your phone to dangerous levels. With so many more people spending extra time indoors working at home, exercising at home, schooling their children at home and potentially hosting extra family members (including seniors leaving nursing homes), checking for and eliminating radon can be especially important right now.
Smoke and Ash Dangers
If you live close to the wildfires, their smoke and ash spread are a tremendous wellness issue right now. Since the frequency and severity of these disasters has been increasing in recent years, it's helpful to know how to address them from an IAQ perspective. Adding air purification capability to a home's HVAC system is ideal; experts suggest a MERV-13 filter as ideal. HEPA filtration is the highest level, but not all home systems can handle it; check with the manufacturer to avoid problems.

An ozone-free air purifier or cleaner works as an alternative for those without central heat and air. You can find a guide to air filtration standards online.

Virus Transmission
The recent CDC guidance on airborne, aerosolized particle transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 has tremendous import for indoor spaces; poorly-ventilated spaces are considered especially high risk. The addition of UV Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a proven technique for addressing viruses in buildings. Some portable air cleaners have it, and it's also being added to some built-in fixtures. Researchers are working on other UV-based safe for human exposure solutions, but these are still in various phases of development and not yet available for residential use.

Keeping windows open is also helpful, but it becomes challenging in cold weather and unsafe in smoky wildfire areas.
Final Thoughts
In these challenging times when we're all extra-stressed, it's important to take a deep breath and focus on long-term needs as well as short-term solutions. Indoor air quality issues tend to fall into both categories.
Author: Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC is a Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach, wellness design consultant and the author of three books on design and remodeling. The latest, This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk! Wellness by Design: A Room-by-Room Guide to Optimizing Your Home for Health, Fitness and Happiness, (Tiller Press) published September 1.

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What disparate disasters, like COVID-19 and wildfires, highlight is the need for optimum indoor air quality as both present major health risks.

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Designing for Health: Thermal Comfort - The WELL v2 Standard

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In the A/E/C industry we design and create buildings. One of the main functions of a building is to act as a controlled environment that is separate from the surrounding exterior conditions. As designers, we have the opportunity to create an environment that is both comfortable and health-promoting for our future building occupants.

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The purpose of lighting goes beyond just illuminating the darkness. Light, particularly natural light, tells our bodies the time of day and has a direct impact on our health and wellness, as well as our mood and productivity levels. Using artificial light to mimic the natural passage of time can help energize home or building occupants during the day and help them wind down at night, which is especially important for those still spending extra time working, learning and staying at home as much as possible.

Human-Centric Home

Light is more than just task illumination to help carry out our day-to-day lives, says John Goscha, Founder and CEO of Lucidity Lighting.

"We actually have pathways in our eyes and certain cells that are there that don't detect light for vision, but actually to regulate our body's hormones," he says "The light that your eyes ingest does affect your hormones. How you feel affects how energized you feel during the day, and that affects how well you sleep at night."

Human-centric lighting, or circadian rhythm lighting, is a way to use artificial light to mimic the 24-hour light cycle our bodies are used to. Balancing the correct type of light by replicating natural variations in color temperature at the correct time of day helps improve our energy levels and overall wellbeing.

"It's light that's designed to benefit people through biological, emotional health and wellbeing," Goscha says. "It's not light that's just designed to look beautiful - even though we do feel better in a room that's lit with beautiful light - it's not just to help you see and have enough light. It's about having the right light that will support your body's health and wellbeing functions."

Pre-COVID-19, people spent approximately 90% of their time indoors. During an average work week, this meant time outside for commuting to and from work and maybe an afternoon or evening break outdoors. Now, with many people still working from home, we're spending even less time outdoors feeding our bodies with natural light.

"A lot of the light in your home has been designed for you being there during evening hours," Goscha says. "Now that we're all working at home you actually aren't getting as much natural light because we're not going outside as much ... but also the light that we have in our home isn't the best light for feeling energized and working during the day."

Human-centric lighting has long been applied in commercial settings, such as hospitals and office buildings, but Goscha sees the technology being more widely accepted in the home. Installing these systems can be as simple as swapping out lightbulbs or more complex, like installing a smart lighting system throughout the house. Either way, there's a growing trend for consumers who want to feel more energy during the day and sleep better at night, and they're learning that lighting can play a major role.

In encouraging consumers to try out human-centric lighting technology, retailers and designers can explain the health and wellness benefits, but to truly understand these benefits, Goscha recommends letting them experience the technology firsthand, either by setting up a corner of a showroom to demonstrate different light levels, or letting them take the products home to live with them for a while. Ultimately, customers have to embrace the technology as part of an overall wellness-focused lifestyle.

"This is about a healthy lifestyle and wanting to help the body be supported with light in the right ways," Goscha says. "If you have two cups of coffee right before bed, and you have a wind-down circadian bulb by your bedside, you're still probably not going to be able to sleep well at night."

Back to Work

In the workplace, balancing natural and man-made lighting with this 24-hour cycle in mind can help boost productivity and enhance mood. Michelle Beganskas, Design Manager at Ted Moudis Associates, a design firm specializing in workplace design, says there are a few basic requirements to meet to light for the task at hand, such as providing even illumination and reducing glare. But what about boosting productivity in the workplace?

"In regard to productivity, the first thing I think of is daylighting - access to daylight, windows, connection to the outdoors and connection to nature," Beganskas says. "And when we are connected to nature, one way is through daylight. Our productivity is boosted and so is our health and wellness. We can reduce both absenteeism and presenteeism, and daylighting can do that for us."

Beganskas specializes in biophilic design, providing a connection between building occupants and the natural environment.

"The best way to connect with nature is to experience it literally, whether that be having direct sunlight or being able to go outside or having real nature, but we can also artificially recreate some of the elements that we can benefit from, one of those being lighting," she says. "Of course it's best to have access to daylight and access to views for workers to boost productivity, but also mood. How natural light can impact our wellbeing is that connection to natural systems - you know what time of day it is, you know what the weather is like, you have that connection to time passing."

She cited a study in which call center employees who sat near a window made more calls than their counterparts who did not, providing a quantifiable measure of daylight's effect on productivity.

Circadian rhythm lighting enters the picture when access to daylight isn't possible, for interior desks or offices without a view from a window. In these instances, artificial light mimics the natural 24-hour light cycle in workspaces to boost productivity as daylight would. In less populated areas, such as elevator banks or reception areas, a creative approach can achieve a similar effect using artificial light.

"Some examples of this dynamic and diffused light could be using a textured wall surface to create patterns with light and shadows and using that as a design element, or even using materials that light can filter through, something that's backlit that can be inspired by nature, but also be achieved through artificial light," Beganskas says. "Using lighting in that way can also provide a connection to nature, albeit maybe not as strong as having access to real daylight, but all the elements of biophilic design in some way can impact our mood, our health and wellbeing. And a lot of times often biophilic design strategies, especially when it comes to lighting, end up just being good and interesting design."

As vaccines are distributed and office workers start packing up their home offices in favor of heading back to their usual workplaces, there will likely be an adjustment period. Like Goscha, Beganskas also acknowledges that many home offices are not lit to maximize productivity during the workday, so returning to a building meant for work will be an advantage.

"I think the biggest change going back is just going to be the benefit that employees will have of being back in a space that was purpose-built to get work done and to be productive when necessary and to be social when necessary," she says.

While Beganskas thinks the transition back to work will be a positive one, building owners should ensure that their spaces are prepared to welcome back employees and that lighting systems are functioning properly, especially after potentially months of unuse.

At the end of the day, it all comes back to keeping the biological circadian rhythm balanced as part of a healthy lifestyle to maintain overall health and wellness.

"I don't think it needs to be complicated," Goscha says. "I think that we can keep it simple around just making sure that we're providing the right light at the right moment so that we have that natural support of our bodily functions."

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Lighting technologies such as human-centric lighting and biophilic design are boosting occupant wellbeing and productivity.

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We know only too well. Lighting in a home environment or in a public area is as important, and perhaps more, than the colour of the furnishings themselves. It is lighting that transmits to us, perhaps unconsciously, the first feeling of comfort or discomfort, warmth or coldness. Lighting is able to enhance, to emphasise, to create brush strokes, to transform a corner into a feature, a furnishing element, a work of art, and - why not? - a sensory experience.

It is lighting again which is able, as colour therapy teaches us, to influence through its colour a person's moods, relaxation and well-being.

And it is natural that precisely the field of wellness is where research on lighting and colour has focused most markedly.

Here, in a , a , a , a or simply a massage room relaxation area, it is essential that the user's sensory experience goes hand in hand with their physical well-being.

We live in a world that imposes increasingly faster and more frantic rhythms. Precisely for this reason it becomes increasingly important for the environments where we stop to recharge to be truly welcoming and relaxing. From all points of view.

The correct use of colour and well thought-out lighting intensity adjustment in different parts of the wellness area amplify the feeling of well-being and reflect the function of the environment.

Lighting which is too strong, or a cold colour within a relaxation area, could create negative feelings or excite, in marked contrast to the function for which the environment has been designed. A carousel of warm lights on the other hand is capable not only to rest your senses, but also to stimulate feelings of well-being, through colour variations. As well as to evoke thoughts, memories or positive situations in our recollections.

Let us for a moment think of the extraordinary sensations we receive when we happen to enjoy a beautiful sunset, the kind that change the light of the sky from light blue to bright red, going through all the shades of yellow or orange.

Let us think of the attraction and sense of peace that warm light gives us, with its infinite shades always on the move, in a roaring log fire.

Being able to recreate these feelings of well-being even in a closed environment, through the skilful use of light and colour, has become an increasingly important challenge for any wellness centre.

Linea Light Group knows this only too well, and has made professional lighting and the skilful use of light its philosophy. And is able to create lighting systems specifically thought out for every need.

A great help for designers, who now fully understand how lighting is one of the most important elements in any room design: from homes to work areas, from public spaces to showrooms. And to wellness centres, of course!

Credits:

4 Spa - Aci Castello (CT) - Eng.Zuccarello - Ph. Fabio Gambina

Roman Sport City - Pomezia (RM) - Ph. Fabio Gambina

Doulgerakis Residence - Voula Greece - lighting design: Ifi Group - Ph. Yannis Kontos

Hotel Principe Palace - Jesolo (VE)

Marina Palace Hotel - Acitrezza (CT) - ph. Mario Bucolo

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The importance of correct lighting in a wellness environment | Linea Light Group

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The correct use of colour and well thought-out lighting intensity adjustment for the different parts of a wellness area amplify the feeling of well-being an...

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The wellness trend is very much alive right now, from kale smoothies to coffee served out of empty avocado halves ( yes, that's a thing). But what about wellness trends in architecture? Let's be clear, wellness in architecture does not necessarily mean being LEED certified or having solar panels. Rather it could be the intuitive design of your neighborhood yoga studio or an inviting green space in a crowded city. Needless to say, architecture that connects with nature and seamlessly fits into the environment results in a truly sustainable future. Below are five examples of projects that demonstrate wellness architecture.

NBBJ's Amazon Headquarters
NBBJ's Amazon Headquarters in Seattle, WA is a perfect balance between nature, its surrounding environment and contemporary design. The sphere building in particular is your average office building by day, but at night transforms into a humid, hot space that allows the plants inside to thrive. It's functional yet beautiful and the ultimate demonstration of wellness architecture. The sphere is a good example of the power of 3D visualization and design processes. It was built in CAD software and transferred to physical steel pieces directly from the model. Plus, it's the first building of its kind. Check out Modelo's Design Manifesto with Dale Alberda, Principal at NBBJ and Design Leader of the Amazon Headquarters project.

2. Alai Development in Mexico by Zaha Hadid Architects
The Alai residential community is compatible with nature and also seeks to minimize the effects on local ecosystems. This project also pays some homage to the Mayan culture, which can be seen in the design.

3. Inscape by Archi-Tectonics
Inscape is a meditation studio in Manhattan, New York. Although the practice of meditation has been around for centuries, it along with yoga has been getting the spotlight in the wellness industry. Therefore, a studio inspired by zen, intuition and focus undoubtedly deserves a spot on the list of 5 best examples of wellness architecture. Set in the middle of an urban area, Inscape is a transition into balance, healthy living and quietness that allows building users to truly enter a state of calmness. Read Winka Dubbeldam's Design Manifesto here.

4. Supertrees in Singapore by Grant Associates
These Supertrees are not only solar-powered, but these 18 trees provide homes for over 200 species, 162,900 plants and cleaner air for the local area. It provides a green oasis in the middle of urban Singapore, balancing both the built environment and the natural environment.

5. North Bay by PBW Architects
The fifth example of wellness architecture is this modern green home which was built on San Paulo Island in Washington State. The house was purposefully built within the trees to stay connected to nature, while preserving the clients' privacy. In addition to natural surroundings, the house has an extremely green roof, giving life to plants and lots of color.

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The 5 Best Examples of Wellness Architecture | Modelo Blog

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These 5 examples of wellness architecture demonstrate buildings that connect with nature and seamlessly fit into the environment for a sustainable future.

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Wellness is primarily a sensory experience. The foundation of wellness design is understanding the need for sensory experiences and improving them via interactions with the environment. For its architecture and design, wellness designs have a psycho-physiological influence on visitors, providing a powerful pull factor towards healthier living. Infusing wellness into design strategy is a delicate process that involves clever planning, programming, and technology that is unseen yet creates a sense of well-being. Nature has a major influence on an individual's physical and emotional well-being.

The diurnal motion of the sun is the cornerstone in the site planning of health resorts, inspiring architects to build diverse zones, functions, and even the proper materials and colours. The designer's primary responsibility is to prioritise crucial aspects of the resort's interior and outside. The design and architecture of a wellness resort is based on five essential components of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and space. The airy transition between outdoors and interior creates a wonderful sensory experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows, vast decks, terraces, private pools, indoor vegetation and waterfalls, contemporary timber interior décor, or earth hues gracefully integrate the outdoor environment into, easing visitors' tension and anxiety.
Wellness Design must-haves
Space, surroundings, music, and services should contribute to sensory experiences when approaching a wellness design. Proper sensory management is a vital component of health retreat design and architecture in line with the natural environment. Space encompasses all of the external and internal areas of the structure's numerous areas. Private and public venues, where visitors may engage with the staff, nature, and others, should be tranquil and relaxing. The whole setting, both inside and outside the structure boundaries, including amenities like lush valleys, vegetation, groomed gardens, lawns, wildness, ocean fronts, water bodies, hills, and mountains, bring about psychological relaxation. Natural sound and interior acoustic control, both contribute to a peaceful environment. Smart, efficient service and assistance may improve customers' entire sensory experiences.

The whole operation of a wellness resort is based on its architecture, which must be in sync with socially aware systems in order to support certain wellness aspects of visitors, including physical, emotional, spiritual, social, cultural, and intellectual well-being. At the same time, it should prioritise the restoration of the natural environment. Chalets and other structures should be able to connect with nature in a way that meets the needs of future sustainability and ease of maintenance. Here are a few examples of structures over the globe with beautiful wellness design architecture.

3. Amanpuri, Thailand

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Amanpuri is located on a peninsula on the west coast of Phuket, Thailand. Amanpuri is Aman Resorts' flagship property and a premium resort. In Sanskrit, the name means "place of calm." The resort is set on 24 hectares on a headland on the northern side of Pansea beach, with 40 pavilions and 44 villas. The Aman Spa has six treatment rooms and four wellness experiences to choose from. A 27-meter freshwater main pool and a 20-meter lap pool are available at Amanpuri alongside other amenities. The design of this structure is influenced by its local culture and heritage.

4. Ananda In The Himalayas, India

Location: Uttarakhand, India

Ananda in the Himalayas is an award-winning luxury vacation spa in the Himalayan foothills, the origin of India's ancient disciplines of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. Ananda blends the therapeutic concepts of the East and West, with a special focus on Ayurveda and Yoga, as well as contemporary international spa experiences, to restore balance and harmonise energy via a holistic approach. The structure incorporates indoor-outdoor flexibility with luxury.

5. Aro Hā, New Zealand

Aro Hā is a next-level wellness experience that provides life-changing, body-transforming, and spirit-lifting getaways. Aro Hā combines sophisticated eco-apartment living, permaculture-based self-sufficiency, and world-class results-driven programming. Aro Hā is a rejuvenation retreat in New Zealand's beautiful Southern Alps.

6. Bio-hotel, Austria

Location: Kaiser, Austria

The Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, a magnificent alpine lodge at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser Mountain, looks like a scene from The Sound of Music. Take a six-mile journey across to Schwarzsee Lake, one of the hottest in the Alps, to make the most of the fresh mountain air.

7. Body Holiday, St. Lucia

Location: West Indies, St. Lucia

BodyHoliday is one of the world's top spas as well as one of the world's most delightful vacations. Since its beginning in 1988, it has been a pioneering idea in the hotel business and it continues to earn significant industry accolades. The resort offers a fantastic beach vacation, complemented with magnificent accommodations and delectable cuisine, but it is much more than that. It is also meant to be the most peaceful and revitalising wellness vacation in the world.

Website: www.thebodyholiday.com

6. Brenners Park-Hotel and Spa, Germany

Location: Baden-Baden, Germany

The Oetker Hotel Management Company owns Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, a five-star hotel. The hotel, administered under the Oetker Collection brand, is part of a restricted group of German luxury hotels. Brenners Spa is home to a Roman-style samarium, a workout facility, and an indoor pool. It provides facial and body treatments, cosmetic consultations, manicures and pedicures, jet lag treatments, essential oil body wraps, and exotic massage routines. There are also a variety of medical services offered.

Website: www.oetkercollection.com

7. Bushmans Kloof, South Africa

Location: Clanwilliam, South Africa

Bushman Kloof, situated on 18,500 acres of wide-open plains at the foot of the Cederberg Mountains, is surrounded by spectacular scenery. Bushmans Kloof, surrounded by the rocky Cederberg Mountains, offers a really one-of-a-kind nature hideaway in South Africa. Memorable days at Bushmans Kloof are spent exploring the wide-open plains, awe-inspiring animals, and pristine mountain scenery, with five-star luxury accommodation and outstanding South African food.

Website: bushmanskloof.co.za

8. Castle Hot Springs, Arizona

Castle Hot Springs is a boutique resort located just north of Phoenix. This all-inclusive vacation just won Conde Nast's HOT LIST award. Castle Hot Springs, founded in 1896, has been a cornerstone of Arizona, providing a getaway where tourists may enjoy the mineral-rich hot springs. Individual luxury suites and outstanding culinary options, backed up by an onsite farm and a wide range of activities, providing hotel guests with a one-of-a-kind and personalized experience. This hotel, located in the Sonoran Desert near Lake Pleasant, provides wellness, adventure, and relaxation.

Website: www.castlehotsprings.com

9. Como Shambhala Estate, Bali

Location: Bali, Indonesia

COMO Shambhala Estate is a real 'Retreat for Change' in Ubud, , featuring resident professionals such as a yoga instructor, Ayurvedic doctor, and resident dietitian. Signature massage therapies and aesthetic treatments are available as part of the complete 360-degree approach. A cutting-edge gym and outdoor activities like hiking and climbing make the most of the Estate's unique setting. The cuisine is always nutritionally balanced, and the homes, suites, and villas are ideal for the singles, couples, and families. Guests who wish to make a long-term commitment to change can enrol in one of their focused Wellness Programmes, which include Cleanse, Be Active, Ayurvedic, and Bespoke.

Website: www.comohotels.com

10. Habitas Tulum, Mexico

At this eco retreat surrounded by jungle and facing the sea, thatched cottages receive an update. It's the first retreat from Habitas, a lifestyle brand that focuses on wellness, gastronomy, and music.

Website: www.ourhabitas.com

11. Kamalaya, Thailand

Kamalaya Koh Samui is a multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa set in a tropical environment on Koh Samui's southern coast, Thailand. Kamalaya has been providing a holistic wellness experience that mixes therapeutic therapies from east and west, a stunningly gorgeous natural environment, innovative healthy food, and customised wellness programmes and retreats since its inception in November 2005.

12. Kumarakom Lake Resort, India

Kumarakom Lake Resort is an amazing luxury resort located on the green banks of the Vembanad Lake that is a vivid expression of Kerala's authentic culture. Set amidst Kerala's limitless backwaters, the resort offers an unrivalled combination of exquisite elegance and regal tradition in the arms of immaculate nature. Aside from a spectacular view of the beautiful backwaters that stretch into the distance, the resort also has 65 heritage luxury villas designed in the classic architectural style of bygone Kerala.

13. SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain

Location: Alicante, Spain

The SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain, is an opulent hilltop shrine committed to making its visitors' lives better. The clinic, housed in an all-white modernist facility, offers holistic therapies for exercise, good eating, sleep deprivation, weight loss, and neurocognitive function, among other ailments. Aside from its therapeutic offerings, SHA dazzles with its elegant-and quite spacious-suites and homes, each with modern design and stunning mountain or ocean views.

Website: shawellnessclinic.com

14. Six Senses, Portugal

Location: Samodaes, Portugal

Six Senses is located in the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. The romanticism of 19th century buildings is matched to contemporary decor reflecting the distinctive Six Senses aesthetic in the Douro Valley. This tranquil environment is 88 miles (142 kilometres) from Oporto International Airport, with the River Douro winding its languid way through the world's oldest wine-producing area. The Vale de Abraao restaurant has three separate atmospheres: an open kitchen, terrace, and dining room; a wine library with vintages from the valley; and a beautiful Six Senses Spa with 23,700 square feet of space (2,200 square meters).

15. Song Saa, Cambodia

Location: Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island is a sustainable luxury sanctuary tucked in Cambodia's unexplored beauty of the Koh Rong Archipelago. Song Saa provides the ultimate pleasure for mind, body, and soul, with its distinctive, world-class cuisine, beautiful sunset views of the Gulf of Thailand, and an assortment of spa and wellness services.

Website: www.songsaa-privateisland.com

A recent architecture grad student who believes design and research play a creative role in shaping society while providing advanced solutions. Her curiosity has drawn her passion into understanding the psychology of architecture with human behaviour and art. She relishes reading, discovering, and craves to learn more each day.

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15 Beautiful examples of Wellness Designs around the World

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Wellness is primarily a sensory experience. The foundation of wellness design is understanding the need for sensory experiences and improving them via interactions with the environment.....

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In addition to physical accessibility, wellness design also addresses social accessibility. This can include communal spaces that promote social interaction and connection, such as shared outdoor spaces in a workspace such as the concept design we created for HERO natural foods global headquarters near Zurich in Switzerland, or communal kitchens.

Functionality as a feature of wellness design

Buildings and interiors consciously designed with functionality in mind promote efficiency, productivity, and ease of use. In commercial office real estate and interiors, translating this wellness design concept requires flexible floorplans and spaces that can be easily adapted to different uses, as well as the incorporation of smart technologies to facilitate it all.

For example, in our podcast interview with Nicholas White of the Smart Building Collective, he referenced the Hausmanns Hus by Hathon in Norway - a private family office who managed to create a building that can adapt to almost any size tenant and still provide them with accurately metered energy readings related to their exact portion of the floorplate, which in turn allows the tenant greater control over their sustainability and ESG efforts.

Comfort and joy in wellbeing design

Buildings, interiors and spaces that promote occupant comfort and joy provide a sense of emotional and mental wellbeing for their occupants, this however can be a notoriously difficult concept to pin down as it is often a subjective response. Nonetheless, many of the major healthy building and wellness real estate certification systems such as WELL and Living Future include this concept in their points system.

Partly for this reason and partly due to our own strongly held belief in the power of wellness design and biophilia to deliver such a tangible response from occupants of a space, we continue to include 'comfort and joy' in our wellness design services list.

In real estate and interiors we are working with comfortable and ergonomic furnishings, as well as the incorporation of artworks, sculptures, plants and representations of nature, or indirect biophilia.

organic interiors and healthy materials

One way interior design can enhance occupant wellness is through the use of natural materials. Studies have shown that materials such as wood, stone, and plants can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation but we argue that there is a far more visceral, intuitive response hidden within such research groups.

As humans we are hard-wired to gravitate towards natural materials with texture, a patina of age, and the beauty of wabi-sabi imperfections far more than to industrial, all-too-perfect finishes. When such natural materials are also non-toxic materials and low VOC then they have the additional effect of improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues.

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what is wellness design in healthy buildings and interiors? - biofilico wellness interiors

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Here we address the question of wellness design as a sub-set of healthy buildings and wellness real estate as a whole, covering the five primary facets such as health and fitness, comfort, security, accessibility and biophilic design, active design and multi-sensory design, even wabi-sabi interiors

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Tivoli Molveno Chrome Pillar Type Sink Mixer

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View the Tivoli Molveno Chrome Pillar Type Kitchen Sink Mixer which is available for purchase online.

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Nordic Large White Or Black And Wood Pendant Light

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Combine metal and wood for effortless industrial charm in your space with the Nordic Large Pendant. Metal body for a strong, chic design. Black or White shade exterior and white shade interior for modern good looks. Wooden accent above the shade for a natural touch.

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Home CRUZ VELVET KITCHEN STOOL

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Material Legs Base : Powder Coated Metal Legs

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The Cruz Velvet Kitchen Stool is the perfect addition to any dining room or kitchen. This stylish stool is upholstered in a luxurious velvet fabric, making it both comfortable and durable. The frame is made of sturdy wood, and the legs are slightly splayed for stability.

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Johnson Tiles ZR-985 Zorah Tiles - Light Grey (400 x 400mm)

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Buy Johnson Tiles ZR-985 Zorah Tiles - Light Grey (400 x 400mm) Online or Locate Your Nearest Builders Warehouse Store. ✓ Secure shopping ✓ 100% Contactless ✓ Reliable Delivery ✓ Many ways to pay!

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Inside Mapquest’s Denver Headquarters | Office Snapshots

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To celebrate its 15th anniversary, MapQuest asked IA Interior Architects to oversee the relocation and design its new, 17,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Denver.

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NELSON has designed the offices for digital agency Bounteous located in Wilmington, Delaware.

The modern workplace is more than just a place where people gather to work. It's the extension of a company's brand, mission, and commitment not only to their clients, customers, and employees. For Bounteous, an advertising company located in Wilmington, Delaware, their new workspace would need to create a company identity that transitioned them away from a start-up company towards an established firm that was experiencing rapid growth.

While the client opted to remain in the same neighborhood, they relocated to a building down the street that would accommodate growth and facilitate an open and collaborative environment. The 28,000 SF space opens with a reception area that features a reclaimed wood wall that illuminates the Bounteous name in LED strip lights.

Continuing through the space, a large boardroom contains many custom details including the conference room table that was designed by a local mill worker. Integrated technology allows employees to conduct virtual meetings and trainings with the flip of a switch. Smaller collaboration and team rooms can be found throughout the space that also seamlessly mix technology along with the client's brand colors, providing a unique take on the reclaimed wood wall.

An interconnected stair joins the two floors of the space anchored on either side with a bar and fully stocked kitchen. "The Bar," offers various casual seating arrangements, a fully stocked bar, and games for employees to enjoy throughout the day. A smaller coffee bar provides counter-height seating perfect for impromptu gatherings and collaboration.

The fully open workspace is balanced by universal sized offices that sit on the perimeter. This layout allows people to be grouped together according to their teams and project managers and leadership to easily meet and collaborate with them. A secret room that is hidden behind a bookshelf draws inspiration from the cigar rooms of the past. It serves as a place where employees can go to complete more intensive heads-down work, take a rest, or simply hideout and enjoy a beverage.

Elements of Bounteous' brand and identity can be found throughout the space. Bounteous' branding Pantone colors were made into original art pieces. Additionally, employees played an active role in the design. The "doodle" wall adjacent to the interconnecting stair features drawings from employees and creates a fun graphic that visually represents the brand of the company.

Designer: NELSON
Design Team: Angel DeElse, Mark Todaro, Elizabeth Houston, Scott Winger, Aliyah Walker, Cameron Griffiths
Contractor: Bancroft Construction
Photography: Halkin Mason Photography

12 Images | expand for additional detail

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Office Tour: Bounteous Offices - Wilmington

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NELSON has designed the offices for digital agency Bounteous located in Wilmington, Delaware. The modern workplace is more than just a place where people gather to work. It's the extension of a company's brand, mission, and commitment not only to their clients, customers, and employees.

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Transition Spaces and how they translate

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These are commonly referred to as ‘Transition Spaces’. Most often, these spaces create a ‘Spatial opportunity’ for a range of activities, rather than..…

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NELSON Worldwide is an award-winning firm delivering architecture, interior design, graphic design, and brand strategy services that transform all dimensions of the human experience, providing our clients with strategic and creative solutions that positively impact their lives and the environments where they work, serve, play, and thrive. Our collective network includes more than 700 teammates in 18 offices, combining industry experience, service expertise, and geographic reach to deliver projects across the country and around the world.

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At NELSON, we are committed to helping you meet your brand and business goals through actionable solutions. With our diverse portfolio of work and integrated skill sets, we offer all the services you need to bring your vision to life.

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Intuitive Workplace Toolkit

Never-before-seen cultural shifts are changing the office dynamic forever. Worker behaviors have evolved and employers must adjust their return to work strategies accordingly. Companies that thrive in the next "normal" will distinguish themselves by creatively exploring and redefining their "how" - and NELSON can help.
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FEATURED THOUGHT

The Office Renaissance: Future Of Work

Many factors will shape the future of the office and the way we work, but at a minimum corporations must embrace a renewed sense of energy on creating environments that are safe, efficient, and most importantly, inspiring to work in. The future of the workplace is here and the renaissance of the office will allow us to emerge stronger than before.

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NELSON | Award-Winning Architecture, Design & Strategy

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We're an award-winning firm delivering architecture, interior design, graphic design & brand strategy services that transform the human experience.

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Transitional objects ( Donald Winnicott) originate in that phase of an infant's development when inner and outer reality begin to become apparent. They are at once "me" and "not-me," and are transitional in that they facilitate the transition from the omnipotence of the tiny baby for whom external objects have not yet separated out, to the capacity to relate to "objectively perceived" objects.

Transitional space (intermediate area, third area) is that space of experiencing, between the inner and outer worlds, and contributed to by both, in which primary creativity (illusion) exists and can develop ("Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena," Winnicott, 1951; further developed in Winnicott, 1971). From as early as 1945, Winnicott, from within his own concepts of object-relations, approached the infant's developing capacity to discover and adapt to reality. He described first the common patterns of infancy in which a very young baby first finds a thumb, or a fist, to suck, and may stroke his own face, gather a piece of material and suck or stroke it, or make babbling noises; Winnicott assumed accompanying fantasy and used the term transitional for these phenomena.

Later in infancy it may happen that both the activity and the object become necessary when the baby is going to sleep, or anxious. Babies may discover a particular object, perhaps a soft toy or a blanket, or a sound, or piece of behavior, that fulfils the purpose, and this, the transitional object, becomes important and is recognized to be so by the parents, who unconsciously know that it represents a continuity of experience that the baby needs. For this reason parents know that it is not to be changed, or even washed, but must accompany the infant, to be loved or attacked as the baby fancies. This "transitional object" becomes the first "not-me" possession, and while it is symbolic of a part-object, is important in that it is neither the baby nor that object. Winnicott listed the special qualities of the relationship with the object, which must survive; must, from the baby's point of view, come from neither without nor within; will become decathected-lose its significance, not forgotten, not mourned, but losing meaning, at that stage when a wider cultural field has come into being. In early infancy the "good-enough mother" provides a near-perfect environment, allowing the baby the illusion of unity and omnipotence-Winnicott stated that the infant "creates" the breast-"primary creativity," which is known as a "subjective object." The disillusion necessary to permit awareness of outside reality must be dosed to the infant in such a way that the infant's creativity survives the passage to the recognition of objective reality.

Winnicott used the term transitional to describe the "intermediate" or "third area," "between the thumb and the teddy bear, between the oral erotism and the true object-relationship, between primary creative activity and projection of what has already been introduced, between primary unawareness of indebtedness and the acknowledgment of indebtedness ('Say ta')" (Winnicott, 1951). It is in this area, where fantasy and reality overlap, that creativity, including the basis for adult cultural life, and play originate (Winnicott, 1971). Winnicott compared this with the therapeutic situation, where the worlds of the patient and analyst overlap, echoing Freud's concept of the analytic playground.

Related subjects include:

Fetishistic objects-one possible fate of the transitional object, according to Winnicott.

Illusion of unity within a framework-Milner.

Autistic object-Tustin.

Self-object-Kohut.

Transformational object-Bollas.

Transitional stage/quasi-independence-Fairbairn.

Possibly the most widely known of Winnicott's contributions, especially in the worlds of paediatrics and child care, the concepts of transitional phenomena and the thinking about illusion are firmly rooted in his object-related developmental viewpoint and underlie Winnicott's ideas about creativity, which according to him is a primary human element. The popular acceptance of the idea should not be allowed to disguise the importance of this line of Winnicott's thinking, which, despite the incorporation of his concept of paradox into his style of writing, eventually provides the foundation for his theories of play with its relationship to creative analytic work, and also his late, subtle, and important paper "The Use of an Object and Relating Through Identifications" (1971), in which he charts a further stage of change from that of "object-relating," when the object, while separate, is felt to be still under the omnipotent control of the infant, to that of "object-usage," when the object is allowed reality and autonomy.

Jennifer Johns

See also: Transitional object; Transitional phenomena.

Bibliography

Winnicott, Donald. (1953). Transitional objects and transitional phenomena. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 34,89-97;andin Collected papers, through paediatrics to psychoanalysis (p. 229-242). London: Tavistock, 1958. Additional material was added to the paper in his Playing and reality. (pp. 1-30) London: Tavistock, 1971.

- -. (1958). Primitive emotional development. In Collected papers, through paediatrics to psychoanalysis (pp. 145-156). London: Tavistock. (Original work published 1945)

- -. (1971). The use of an object and relating through identifications. In his Playing and reality (pp. 101-121). London: Tavistock.

Further Reading

Brody, Sylvia. (1980). Transitional objects: Idealization of a phenomenon. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 49, 561-605.

Giovacchini, Peter L. (1984). The psychoanalytic paradox: The self as a transitional object. Psychoanalytic Review, 71, 81-104.

Greenacre, Phyllis. (1969). The fetish and the transitional object. Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 24, 144-164.

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space
transitional objects (donald winnicott) originate in that phase of an infant's development when inner and outer reality begin to become apparent. they are at once "me" and "not-me

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" and are transitional in that they facilitate the transition from the omnipotence of the tiny baby for whom external objects have not yet separated out

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to the capacity to relate to "objectively perceived" objects.

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TRANSITIONAL OBJECT, SPACE Transitional objects (Donald Winnicott) originate in that phase of an infant's development when inner and outer reality begin to become apparent. They are at once "me" and "not-me," and are transitional in that they facilitate the transition from the omnipotence of the tiny baby for whom external objects have not yet separated out, to the capacity to relate to "objectively perceived" objects.

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Bright Star 24W LED Indoor Light Ceiling Light Chrome Large | LiveStainable

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1. Material: high-quality carbon steel base, desktop high-pressure solid wood MDF
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1. Material: high-quality carbon steel base, desktop high-pressure solid wood MDF
2. Weight: 12kg, 13kg, 14kg
3. Process: paint
4. Size: 60x74cm, 70x74cm, 80x74cm, base 49cm
5.Multi-channel craftsmanship to create high-density board table top, stable structure and durable
6.Super load-bearing metal chassis, load bearing up to 150 kg
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8. Reinforce screw fittings, strengthen the connection between the frame and the desktop, increase load bearing

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By Andrew Krosofsky

Nov. 13 2020, Updated 1:41 p.m. ET

The ideas behind the tiny house movement are sound in environmental principle, at least at face value. Less space obviously means that you consume less energy, you have less stuff to collect and eventually throw out. Moving into a tiny house can absolutely reduce your environmental impact, it's true, but are the difficulties associated with this lifestyle worth the benefit? More importantly, are the benefits of tiny homes as eco-friendly as they seem?

Article continues below advertisement

What is a tiny house?

Tiny homes are houses built to be no more than about 400 square feet in total; some have even been known to be as small as 60 square feet. Think of the smallest apartment you've ever imagined and take off a few hundred square feet, and that's a tiny house. Many of these tiny houses are on wheels, which means they can be carted around to different places - sort of like a mobile home, only much more handsomely-appointed.

The original tiny house thing was never meant to be the full-blown social movement it has become, and many who have chosen the lifestyle have done so for a number of interesting reasons. These reasons can be financial, environmental, or in an effort to simplify their life. Nevertheless, moving into a tiny home means a huge commitment to reducing not only your environmental impact but also your reliance on gathering material things.

Are tiny homes eco-friendly?

According to a study by Maria Saxton, a PhD candidate at Virginia Tech, moving into a tiny home can have one of the greatest effects on your individual environmental impact. Saxon surveyed 80 people who had moved from a full-sized home to a tiny home for at least a year prior to the study. By the end, she had concluded that those who downsized effectively reduced their energy consumption by 45 percent.

Saxton used a number of data points to come to this conclusion. Her main calculation had to do with each person's ecological footprint. This means how much space each of those people needed to sustain their current behavior. it included their housing requirements, transportation, food, goods, and services. It turned out that people needed far less space than they were currently living with in order to be happy.

Are tiny houses at all bad for the environment?

Saxton's study notwithstanding, tiny houses do present some environmental issues that you might not assume from just looking at them. For tiny houses that are not stationary, moving them is going to be a big task - far too big for something like a Prius or an electric car. You'll most likely need to use a truck, potentially one with the horsepower necessary for such a task.

On top of that, since most tiny homes tend to be in rural areas, commuting to and from your place of work is likely to be more frequent than it was when you lived in the suburbs. So despite all the work you did lowering your carbon footprint, you still need to drive you and your new house around, and that takes gas.

Saxton's study also noted an uptick in eating out among participants, mainly because the kitchen spaces were not conducive to frequent cooking. On top of that, a few participants actually admitted to recycling less since they moved into their tiny home. Their stated reasons for this were that they either did not have the space to store recyclables, or their new neighborhood lacked any sort of curbside recycling program.

What are some of the other advantages to owning a tiny home?

On top of all the facts mentioned above, tiny houses have some pretty obvious advantages when measured against the natural gas-guzzling, oil-burning, timber-intensive suburban mansions that stand like opulent soldiers in many suburban neighborhoods. First off, they are much smaller, requiring much less fuel and electricity to heat or cool, and far fewer natural resources to construct.

It probably goes without saying that tiny houses are cheaper to buy, build, or relocate than your average house. Several companies are already jumping on the tiny house bandwagon and offering prefabricated tiny homes, but you can also get one built to custom specifications. On average, tiny homes can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000, and they can go as high as $150,000 or as low as $8,000, according to Rocket Homes.

Is moving into a tiny home worth it?

Ultimately, the move to a tiny house will still come with its own ups and downs, even in terms of ecological friendliness. You will face challenges and you'll have to make concessions that you might not have planned, but you may be better off for it. Many who have opted for this lifestyle have found the move to be both economical and cathartic.

Until these minuscule manors become a bit more mainstream or until tiny home communities become more common in some areas, you're likely to run into some of the same problems that many homeowners face in terms of reducing their environmental impact, albeit on a smaller scale.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Tiny Homes Are Eco-Friendly - And Why They Sometimes Aren't

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Andrew Krosofsky Nov. 13 2020, Updated 1:41 p.m. ET The ideas behind the tiny house movement are sound in environmental principle, at least at face value. Less space obviously means that you consume less energy, you have less stuff to collect and eventually throw out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Andrew Krosofsky

Nov. 13 2020, Updated 1:41 p.m. ET

The ideas behind the tiny house movement are sound in environmental principle, at least at face value. Less space obviously means that you consume less energy, you have less stuff to collect and eventually throw out. Moving into a tiny house can absolutely reduce your environmental impact, it's true, but are the difficulties associated with this lifestyle worth the benefit? More importantly, are the benefits of tiny homes as eco-friendly as they seem?

Article continues below advertisement

What is a tiny house?

Tiny homes are houses built to be no more than about 400 square feet in total; some have even been known to be as small as 60 square feet. Think of the smallest apartment you've ever imagined and take off a few hundred square feet, and that's a tiny house. Many of these tiny houses are on wheels, which means they can be carted around to different places - sort of like a mobile home, only much more handsomely-appointed.

The original tiny house thing was never meant to be the full-blown social movement it has become, and many who have chosen the lifestyle have done so for a number of interesting reasons. These reasons can be financial, environmental, or in an effort to simplify their life. Nevertheless, moving into a tiny home means a huge commitment to reducing not only your environmental impact but also your reliance on gathering material things.

Are tiny homes eco-friendly?

According to a study by Maria Saxton, a PhD candidate at Virginia Tech, moving into a tiny home can have one of the greatest effects on your individual environmental impact. Saxon surveyed 80 people who had moved from a full-sized home to a tiny home for at least a year prior to the study. By the end, she had concluded that those who downsized effectively reduced their energy consumption by 45 percent.

Saxton used a number of data points to come to this conclusion. Her main calculation had to do with each person's ecological footprint. This means how much space each of those people needed to sustain their current behavior. it included their housing requirements, transportation, food, goods, and services. It turned out that people needed far less space than they were currently living with in order to be happy.

Are tiny houses at all bad for the environment?

Saxton's study notwithstanding, tiny houses do present some environmental issues that you might not assume from just looking at them. For tiny houses that are not stationary, moving them is going to be a big task - far too big for something like a Prius or an electric car. You'll most likely need to use a truck, potentially one with the horsepower necessary for such a task.

On top of that, since most tiny homes tend to be in rural areas, commuting to and from your place of work is likely to be more frequent than it was when you lived in the suburbs. So despite all the work you did lowering your carbon footprint, you still need to drive you and your new house around, and that takes gas.

Saxton's study also noted an uptick in eating out among participants, mainly because the kitchen spaces were not conducive to frequent cooking. On top of that, a few participants actually admitted to recycling less since they moved into their tiny home. Their stated reasons for this were that they either did not have the space to store recyclables, or their new neighborhood lacked any sort of curbside recycling program.

What are some of the other advantages to owning a tiny home?

On top of all the facts mentioned above, tiny houses have some pretty obvious advantages when measured against the natural gas-guzzling, oil-burning, timber-intensive suburban mansions that stand like opulent soldiers in many suburban neighborhoods. First off, they are much smaller, requiring much less fuel and electricity to heat or cool, and far fewer natural resources to construct.

It probably goes without saying that tiny houses are cheaper to buy, build, or relocate than your average house. Several companies are already jumping on the tiny house bandwagon and offering prefabricated tiny homes, but you can also get one built to custom specifications. On average, tiny homes can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000, and they can go as high as $150,000 or as low as $8,000, according to Rocket Homes.

Is moving into a tiny home worth it?

Ultimately, the move to a tiny house will still come with its own ups and downs, even in terms of ecological friendliness. You will face challenges and you'll have to make concessions that you might not have planned, but you may be better off for it. Many who have opted for this lifestyle have found the move to be both economical and cathartic.

Until these minuscule manors become a bit more mainstream or until tiny home communities become more common in some areas, you're likely to run into some of the same problems that many homeowners face in terms of reducing their environmental impact, albeit on a smaller scale.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Tiny Homes Are Eco-Friendly - And Why They Sometimes Aren't

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Andrew Krosofsky Nov. 13 2020, Updated 1:41 p.m. ET The ideas behind the tiny house movement are sound in environmental principle, at least at face value. Less space obviously means that you consume less energy, you have less stuff to collect and eventually throw out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A discussion of the theory of design trends with sample trends in Industrial Design, Interface Design, and User Experience.

Fig. 4: the design trend map: micro design trends in user experience, visual design and industrial design (this version created in April, 2021)

Key Insights: (1) Design trends can be structured in megatrends, macro trends, micro trends and fads. (2) A design trend map can help structuring design trends over time. (3) If design trend reports are done by single persons, they are typically more inspiring than those done by groups/organizations.

T rends are an immanent part of the design world, e.g. as part of inspiration processes (see Mühlstedt, 2020). There are referential publications, which built a theoretic fundament. For long-term developments, there are the Kondratiev waves (Kondratieff, 1935; The Long Wave Cycle), clustering centuries in " industrial revolution", " steam & railways", " steel & engineering", " mass production" and " information" - although they are controversially discussed in science, they are quite popular in culture. Also commonly known are the Gartner Hype Cycles ( gartner.com), structuring technologies in the phases " technology trigger", " peak of inflated expectations", " trough of disillusionment", " slope of enlightenment" and a final " plateau of productivity" - this approach tends to be non-scientific, too. Other recent publications like the Creative Curve (Gannett, 2018; thecreativecurve.com) distinguish persons' preferences to ideas in the stages of " fringe interest", " sweet spot", " point of cliché", " follow-on failure" and " out of date" - a model very similar to common innovation adaptation theories like Roger's Adoption Curve (Rogers, 1962-83; Diffusion of Innovation) with the stages " innovators", " early adopters", " early majority", " late majority" and " laggards ".

All these models, amongst others, are appropriate to create a base layer for a theory of trends. It's important to distinguish those long-term developments and contemporary topics from design trends.

Trends are early manifestations of uncommon topics, compared to the status quo. Trends are the probable future.

They do not necessarily have to be new; they can take references from the past or they might be new just in the domain of interest, e.g. the field of design. Furthermore, questioning the term " trend " itself, there are not so many models respectively literature explaining how they appear, develop and how their character can be assessed. Hence, it might be worth moving from (semi-)scientific research to the reality of product design and to analyze the trend research and its sources there.

The most common sources for trends are well-known websites with collected images, articles or other data about designs, such as Pinterest, dribbble, Behance, Dexigner, Dezeen, designboom and many others up to any image search engine. Aside, there are other typical source types used in design projects:

Data based: Stock photo trends like Adobes Creative Trends, Shutterstocks trends or the trends of Getty Images

Curated: Annual Reports like the Fjord trend report, Pantone color of the year, UX Collective's trends and many more

Cross-domain: contemporary topics in other fields which might be transferred, e.g. by using the analogy method

Highlighted: Awarded products and designs like iF Awards, Red Dot Awards, Awwwards and contents of design museums

All the listed sources are good for ad-hoc searches and browsing ( information pull). For instance, for one of my projects the design team visited the " Pinakothek der Moderne" (a museum for design) and talked to one of the curators. For another project the team talked to experts of different design fields (interior, textile, material etc.) - a cross-discipline approach and very inspiring as well. Other trend resources - more on a recurring base - can be magazines, books, talks, conferences, meetings or conversations ( information push). Conferences are always a good source for inspiring thoughts, just as meetups of smaller or local communities.

Looking at all those sources, it gets necessary to structure trends further. And besides different content fields, especially the trend duration seems to make a difference in character and usage.

Trends are one level underneath bigger structures like the mentioned cycles. Others than those which are at least partly reactive, trends are taking past or contemporary upcoming topics to predict the present time or the future. Hence, there is an immanent uncertainty in them - one aspect why they are so fascinating. The types of trends are " megatrends", " macro" and " micro" trends (fig. 2). They are followed by smaller structures, the " fads ".

Fig. 2: types of design trends

The first level is formed by megatrends. They are often connected to social developments, bonded to specific generations ( X, Y, Millennials, Baby Boomer etc.) or affected by political or economic interrelations. Therefore, they are long-living. Typical examples of megatrends are: globalization, climate change / sustainability / ecology, urbanization, mobility, connectivity, demographic change, knowledge culture, new work or social change.

Megatrends are large-scale shifts in culture, society or economy, respectively expected manifestations of these developments in the future.

Next, there are macro and micro trends - the ones this article focuses on when referring to "design trends". These are often existing for 1 to 5 years, some also longer. Naturally, they appear in one domain and might spread to others. E.g. a trend using elements from " art deco" could come up in graphic design, transfer to web design and seen in architecture as well. Then the interesting question is if this trend will also affect industrial design, visual design etc. Macro trends are rather established longer living trends. They should be commonly known by many designers and accepted as possible solutions. Examples for macro trends are " flat design", " natural materials" or " voice interfaces ".

Macro trends are early manifestations of contemporary, accepted topics of interest, at least in the fields of design in a period of about five years.

Distinguishing micro from macro trends should mainly be done via time, diffusion and relevance or size of the topic. A micro trend might be seen in just few examples and just one field of design. It can be a small detail. Several micro trends can lead to a macro trend, which can go hand in hand with a megatrend. Examples for micro trends are " huge shadows", " speckled materials" or " parallax scrolling ".

Micro trends are early manifestations of uncommon details in a specific field of design, which relate on the zeitgeist and attract an audience in a period of about one year.

Finally, a fad is a very short-term, e.g. seasonal effect. Also, geographically or socially it can be limited. Typical examples for fads can be found in clothing, foods or (youth) language.

After analyzing numerous micro trend articles, posts, collections and imagery year by year, one underlying effect became visible:

The more people involved in curating design trends, the more generic and uninteresting the outcome seems to be.

Hence, if one person creates a nice post about visual trends, if one expert writes an article about logo or typo trends, often it results in inspiring and catchy topics and examples. Of course, they are of different quality as each author's style, talent and effort differ. But overall, a group's or company's voice towards micro trends should be formed out of individual positions.

As designaffairs, the company where I work, is focused on industrial design (ID, also PX - product experience), visual user interface design (UI, also IX - interface experience) and user experience (UX), it became clear that for each topic one person had to be selected to curate a trend overview. As this activity is an annual one, it seemed the best plan to have new persons each year to also show a variety of mindsets. In 2019, it was the first time that 3 experts curated a selection of about 9 trends each, shown and described on a poster. As this internally used material was well received, led to nice internal discussions & knowledge transfer, could support some sales meetings and was used in several client workshops, in the year 2020 this task was repeated (fig. 3).

Fig. 3: curated trend posters of designaffairs in 2020 for user experience (left), industrial design (middle) and user interface design (right), each based on the research and selection of one person (link)

Separate articles can be found to each of those three topics. In addition, to get a more summarized view on all the different trend developments, a design trend map is developed.

The first step towards a trend map is to collect several singular micro trends. It's hard to put this on a scientific base, so the approach here was to collect them from the design trend posters which were created by members of the team. Analyzing several years and putting all the items in relation to each other led to a list of design trends:

outdated trends: ID: key highlights, UI: drop shadow, skeumorphism, neumorphism, polygonal, brutalism, duotone, UX: parallax scrolling

established trends: ID: product app interface, rounded shapes, UI: dark mode, flat design, huge shadow, UX: voice interfaces, always beta, micro UX, mobile first

ongoing trends: ID: generative pattern, gradients, constructivism, speckled textures, soft glows, hyperreal materials, glitch, candy pop, UI: gradients, isometric, grain/noise, variable fonts, off-grid, glassmorphism, UX: friendly interface, microcopy / UX writing, chatbots

This list is neither meant to be complete, nor true for everyone or fitting every purpose overview, but it is an attempt to take strong single trends and bring them together for at least the fields of industrial design / product design, visual design / interface design and a broader field of user experience. The main issues connected with these are:

Wording: as trends are often not established, it is uncertain if there is an official, spread, accepted word or term (like " neomorphism") - sometimes also a term is replaced by another or changes over time (like " microcopy" became " UX writing ")

Synonyms: in many cases there are synonyms for one trend which are used in several regions (e.g. " duotone" vs " bicolor") or by several groups (e.g. " dark mode" vs " light-on-dark color scheme" vs " dark theme") or even company-specific terms (e.g. Googles " Material Design" vs Microsofts " Metro Design" vs general " flat design") up to different spelling (e.g. " chat bot" vs " chatbot ")

Searchability: while some of the terms are very well searchable (e.g. " skeumorphism"), others have manifestations in different domains (e.g. " brutalism" in architecture and web and visual design) and others again are almost unsearchable by having multiple or common meanings (e.g. " isometric" or " mobile first ")

After examining all these topics in detail, a combined design trend map was created (fig. 4). The map contains curves of micro trends in design, which were developed by using the trend posters of different years, researching additional trending topics in mentioned sources, by doing conversations with designers and getting their expert opinion, and by using the Google trend analysis. This map is mainly sorted by a horizontal timeline. Starting with some "early" trends which are starting between 2000 and 2010, most topics could be placed in the years of 2010 to 2020ff. The origin field of each trend is shown in a color code for industrial design, visual design and UX. Each trend is shown as a line, starting from the top area. This means that the trend started or was inspired by neighboring topics, like art, fashion, technology and other fields of design or innovation. When the trend enters the middle area, it means that first examples are out in the field where the trend is used in product design.

The line then continues in one of three directions, each with different meanings:

back to the top: after some successful experiments and examples the trend is not commonly used or accepted, at least for (product) design

to the bottom and beyond: these trends are established, moving from a trend to an established asset or path of design; they might become a macro trend

staying in the middle area: these trends are ongoing, seen in examples again and again and are developed further

Fig. 4: the design trend map: micro design trends in user experience, visual design and industrial design (this version created in April, 2021)

As these trend topics are sorted in the map according to the assessment of experts, a further proof can be done using the Google Trends search engine. This shows the occurrence of search terms over a specific time, worldwide or in selected regions. With this it was possible to adjust several of the graphs, like explained with the following examples.

Fig. 5: the trend "Glassmorphism", analyzed April 2021

Upcoming Trends: For new trending topics which in addition have a very specific name, like " Glassmorphism ", the trend search reveals what the design experts already had in mind (fig. 5): a first appearance end of 2020, followed by a steep increase as it was recognized on several platforms, then an uncertainty how the further development will look like.

Fig. 6: the trend "UX writing", analyzed April 2021

Ongoing trends: For trends which can be observed since a longer period, a typical graph looks like in the example of UX writing (fig. 6). Although the term has always been part of search requests, there is an increased interest visible around 2018/2019. This is already less easy to interpret, as the results for UX writing is different from " UX writing" (search with quotation marks) and both UX and writing are common terms as well.

Fig. 7: three trends in comparison: "generative" (blue), "flat design" (red) and "ux writing" (yellow), analyzed April 2021

Trend comparison: The search results seem to be absolute when investigated individually. The y axis is just giving a percentage from 0 to 100 - so a combined search shows relative importance. In the example, UX writing is combined with flat design and generative. This shows further issues of interpretation: for flat design, which seems to be a decreasing trend, the interpretation implies more that this trend became established.

Of course, these text term search results can only be an indicator for a trend analysis, but especially to check the timing of its occurrence and periods of higher interest they appear to be very helpful.

Design trends are a good method to show thoughts of a group, to give insights to a company's mindset and simply to inspire other people. A structured view on them with the clustering in the types " mega", " macro" and " micro" is relevant when working with those. One critical factor for success seems to be the number of people involved in creating and defining a shortlist. It indicates that trends need singular opinions, that a consensus of several persons smoothens the peaks and the excitement with them. Hence, several curated collections are a proven way of how trends can be presented. A summary of them shows outdated, established and ongoing trends, which helps to structure the topic further. Finally, a design trend map makes the summary visual and gives an overview in the fields of industrial design, visual design and user experience.

With every following season of course the map can be iterated further. Also, other trend analysis ideas, such as a meta study of trend reports or an analysis of the awarded products, are promising further approaches. It would be of interest as well, if groups in scientific research could cover this topic more intense and illuminate trends from different angles.

The UX Collective donates US$1 for each article published on our platform. This story contributed to Bay Area Black Designers: a professional development community for Black people who are digital designers and researchers in the San Francisco Bay Area. By joining together in community, members share inspiration, connection, peer mentorship, professional development, resources, feedback, support, and resilience. Silence against systemic racism is not an option. Build the design community you believe in.

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Key Insights: (1) Design trends can be structured in megatrends, macro trends, micro trends and fads. (2) A design trend map can help structuring design trends over time. (3) If design trend reports...

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CII, based at The University of Texas at Austin, is a consortium of more than 140 leading owner, engineering-contractor, and supplier firms from both the public and private arenas.

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From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I love tiny houses. My own apartment is a little over 300 square feet, most of which is taken up by a Murphy bed. The idea of building an entire free-standing structure where every appliance and piece of furniture can fold into something else is very appealing.

And for decades now, that's what the tiny house movement has been doing.

Typically, the houses are pre-made by some place like the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company and then, to circumvent minimum house size rules present in many jurisdictions' zoning codes, are placed on wheels and parked in a backyard or trailer park.

Videos detailing the houses' clever space-saving tricks are a reliably effective genre of lifestyle porn:

But the real reason tiny houses have taken off is the allure of affordability. Jenny Xie at Curbed recently profiled five different models from as low as $22,000 for an unfurnished house to $79,000 for a "bespoke luxury tiny house" with granite countertops, wood or bamboo floors, stainless steel appliances, and a washer/dryer combo. (For comparison, the median price of a new home in the US is nearly $300,000.)

"The rhetoric of modern tiny-house living begins with the assertion that big houses, aside from being wasteful and environmentally noxious, are debtors' prisons," the New Yorker's Alec Wilkinson explains in a great 2011 profile of the movement. "Tiny houses are luxurious, because they are easier to take care of and allow their (presumably debt-free) owners to spend more money on pleasures."

But this premise is a fantasy.

It ignores the real reason that housing is unaffordable - at least in the coastal urban centers where fantasies of tiny housing are most potent. The problem, simply put, is that 1) land in cities where you'd want to live is expensive and 2) many cities don't let developers use that land efficiently.

The growth of tiny houses has been held back considerably because there's just nowhere to put them. That's partially due to minimum house size zoning regulations, and partially due to bans on "camping" on otherwise unoccupied land or the driveway/parking space of an existing house, like one recently adopted in DC. But even the most tiny-house-friendly zoning code in the world wouldn't necessarily render tiny houses viable.

Suppose it suddenly became legal to just park a tiny house in an ordinary parking space indefinitely and live there. This might work for people with friends willing to spot them a space. But if you actually need to buy the land you're parked on, well, that becomes tricky.

Here in DC, you can get a $35,000 parking space in Columbia Heights or a $20,000 one in Petworth. Back in 2011, there was one in the Dupont Circle neighborhood selling for $100,000.

The situation's the same in other high-priced coastal cities. According to the Wall Street Journal's Candace Jackson, prime San Francisco neighborhoods feature parking spaces costing as much as $125,000, and there are several $1 million spots in New York City.

The point is simple: What you're paying for in high-productivity, desirable cities like San Francisco, New York, and DC is the location. That is, the proximity to other workers, which enhances all of your productivity and leads to these areas' high incomes relative to the rest of the country.

You're not paying for your overlarge apartments. No one in these cities is overwhelmed by how gigantic all their housing options are.

Construction is the cheap part. Land is the expensive part.

And not only do tiny houses not make land cheaper, they're a really inefficient use of it. If you have a given piece of land and want to produce the most affordable housing possible out of it, you don't stick a tiny house on there. You build a many-stories-tall residential skyscraper with hundreds of apartments inside it.

The answer is density, which tiny houses don't help. As Arielle Milkman notes in her excellent assessment of tiny houses in Jacobin magazine, "Tiny houses generally do nothing to increase urban density in cities like Washington, DC, which is already concentrated with people and has little open space."

Not only that, but dense housing is greener, too. People in dense cities just emit less carbon dioxide than people living in sprawl

As Brad Plumer notes, "The average person in the city of San Francisco emits just 6.7 metric tons of CO2 per year. By contrast, the average person who lives in the Bay Area emits 14.6 metric tons of CO2 per year."

Microunits - small units, some under 200 square feet, in large, dense housing structures - are a good idea indeed. But tiny houses are ultimately a dead end in the search for affordable homes.

This story is part of The new new economy, a series on what the 21st century holds for how we live, travel, and work.

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The case against tiny houses | The new new economy

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From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I love tiny houses. My own apartment is a little over 300 square feet, most of which is taken up by a Murphy bed. The idea of building an entire free-standing structure where every appliance and piece of furniture can...

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Most micro dwellings are built using either newly available or repurposed environmentally friendly materials. As a result of their rarity, repurposed materials are rarely used in construction. Due to their compact design, they are ideally suited for usage in urban apartments and condos. Recycled cork flooring and solar roof tiles are two examples of the newest sustainable materials available, but they come at a high price. However, because of the small size of a tiny house, you won't need as many of these supplies, which means you can save money on their purchase.

Keeping a typical family home warm in the winter and cool in the summer requires a significant daily investment in energy. On the other hand, tiny houses have a far smaller carbon footprint since they utilize fewer appliances and are, therefore, more efficient in their energy use. Most tiny-house dwellers are nomadic types who prefer to spend their time outside. As a result, they will use a lot less energy, which is excellent news for both the environment and your budget.

Thanks to creative design, today's tiny houses may pack a lot of storage space into a small footprint, but they still can't match standard-sized residences. Therefore, most people who live in tiny houses are attentive shoppers who prefer to invest in high-quality fixtures and furnishings and who think more carefully about the things they need and the things they can do without. Additionally, there is a reduction in the amount of packing waste caused by impulse purchases. Living in a compact house guarantees you'll be more efficient with your space and consume fewer resources.

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8 Environmental Benefits of Living in a Tiny Home - Green and Prosperous

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Living in a tiny home has many environmental benefits. It takes less energy to heat and cool and it's cheaper to heat and cool than larger homes. Tiny homes are often more energy efficient because they have less square footage to heat and cool.

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In the world of home design, a revolution is taking place - and its future is tiny. The buzz around the tiny house trend - an architectural and social movement that advocates for downsizing living spaces - is increasing. Witness the nearly 2.5 million Instagram posts with a "tinyhouse" hashtag; a massive internet following and burgeoning number of documentaries and TV series, such as the Netflix show Tiny House Nation, and a series on the subject by UK architect and TV presenter George Clarke.
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One of the most high-profile of the movement's many champions must be Elon Musk, the multibillionaire Tesla chief. Musk upped the tiny-house ante when he rented one in Boca Chica, Texas, while working on his SpaceX venture. "Feels more homey to live in a small house," he tweeted.

In the same way that minimalism and decluttering captured the zeitgeist as a counterpoint to conspicuous consumerism, so too has the tiny house movement found its moment. The idea - that having less space and stuff can create room in our lives for more important things - is an appealing one.

The roots of the tiny house movement can be traced to 19th-Century US naturalist and essayist Henry David Thoreau, whose book Walden (1854) is an inspiring meditation on simple living in natural surroundings. Jay Shafer, the "godfather of tiny houses", spearheaded the modern movement when he built a tiny house on wheels and wrote The Small House Book in 1999. Shafer founded the Tumbleweed Tiny House company, before leaving to focus on social justice and housing rights.

Tiny house fans champion the dwellings' green credentials: they require less material to build, and are energy-considerate - using around 20 to 30% of the energy of most average UK homes, according to the Tiny Housing Co, a UK firm. They can be fitted with solar panels or wind power, so the owner can live off-grid. Being designed for mobility, they can more easily be sited close to nature. Economical, portable, eco-friendly, community-minded, mortgage-free - what's not to like?

Chris March is the founder of Tiny Eco Homes, in Northumberland in the UK, and has lived for three years in one of his own designs, with pine cladding inside and a cedar porch. At 7m x 2.5m, it has two bedrooms, two storeys and ceilings high enough so that you can walk around upstairs. It's fitted with "everything my son and I need," he says.

March's company produces around 15 tiny houses a year. Clients include David and Becky Westwood, and son Joss, who bought a standard £50,000 model. Even though a video they made showed Joss's head touching his bedroom ceiling when he stood up, they're delighted with their tiny house, claiming it's "exactly like living in a conventional house". They initially sited it on a campsite, where monthly rent was more than £500, and have since moved it to one of their parents' gardens to live rent-free.

The cost of land can be a key consideration (or stumbling block) in owning a tiny house. March owns the land his one is sited on; he has planning permission for a permanent residence there but says: "I have no intention of ever building a 'normal' house. That could cost me £200,000, but I can spend £60,000 on a tiny house, and have a brand-new home for a third of the cost, so it's a no-brainer."

The cost of a building plot as well as a tiny house can make it prohibitive. Some get around it by siting their house on land owned by family or friends, while others rent land, from a farmer, for example - all also bypassing the need for planning permission. Another way around it is to buy land and change its use to glamping or a small farm. However, March says: "It's virtually impossible [in the UK] to get full planning permission to live in [a tiny house] full-time and site it on a permanent basis."

Lifestyle and values are the main driving forces here: the tiny house territory goes with rethinking what's important, such as strengthening local communities, or preserving the environment; or the desire to spend more time with family or on activities that downsizing allows. Some just love the diminutive, sleek design of their small house. Still, we're talking about a minuscule minority in the UK, where it's estimated only 200 people are living in tiny houses - despite all the interest in them. "Everybody's talking about living in tiny houses," admits March, "but very few are doing it."
Small but perfectly formed
In other countries, it seems the tiny-house industry is moving faster. In the US, it's estimated 10,000 people live in tiny dwellings. "The tiny house movement is growing," Amy Turnbull, director of the American Tiny House, told The Spruce: "As more people advocate their acceptance, more areas will allow them".

David Latimer is CEO and founder of New Frontier Design, which was voted best luxury tiny home builder in The Spruce 2020 awards. David talked to BBC Culture from his studio in Venice Beach, California - restfully minimal in design, with plenty of blond wood and a vista of green plants.

Latimer launched his company - whose mantra is "live intentionally" - in 2015, at a time when interest in small dwellings was, he says, "going viral". He sells around 12 to 16 tiny houses per year, and his five models start with the Alpha, with a large glass door to let in natural light, and double vanity sinks - "an ideal couple's home". Then there is the luxury Escher, which can sleep six, and has a 10-person dining table and a full-size jacuzzi. His designs are created with an architect, and include appliances that are full-size wherever possible. Space-saving furniture - a vital component in any tiny house - is his speciality.

In 2017, Latimer was selected to build a home for victims of the California wildfires, which was presented to a delighted family on the TV show Good Morning America. Superb coverage for a start-up, but he remains aware of the hurdles he continues to face in this nascent market. "One obstacle is the fact there's no official legal government regulated body... and no credit facility for tiny homes," he says. "And as we know, it's also very prohibitive where you can place them legally."

Latimer's clients are "all ages, and a lot of empty nesters, retiring or downsizing - but the majority are young professionals... they want to get out of the city or at the very least have a place to retreat to". Around half plan to live in their tiny house full-time; others use them as holiday homes or let them. "It's a lifestyle choice. The tiny house moment is a value-driven world." Sustainability is high on many people's values list - "tiny houses have a very small carbon footprint" - boosted by the use of solar and wind power or composting toilets, for example.

And the pandemic has had a marked effect on the market, he says. "We have seen an explosion in demand [for tiny houses] from people who want to reconnect to nature after being trapped in cities." They want the personal and physical, he says, to feel liberated after the confinement of an impersonal, online existence. "This way of living can be so intimate and cosy, comfortable and warm." However, adds Latimer: "Tiny homes are definitely not for everybody. They can demand sacrifices and lifestyle changes to make them work. But most of my clients have done a lot of research before they commit."

In spite of potential drawbacks, the movement is moving on apace as small local projects are publicised and shared globally. Such as that of Alan Dall, originally from Scotland, who had been locked in a dispute with his council in Canterbury, New Zealand, over his self-built tiny house - the only home he could now afford to own in his late 50s, he says; after a high-profile case the judge ruled in his favour, which could set a precedent for other owners in the country.

In the UK, exciting initiatives are forging ahead too. The Tiny House Community Bristol, a non-profit community-benefit housing project in the Sea Mills area, has succeeded in getting support from the city's mayor, and the council have collaborated on writing planning law to make the project happen Rachel Butler, founder and director of the organisation, says there are plans for a zero-waste local produce shop, an eco-launderette, plus a workshop space for repairing and making things and a community dining hall.

"The plan is to build between 12 and 15 homes, and significant communal spaces, including kitchen, dining hall, eco-laundrette, workshop etc," says Butler. "We have a commitment to sourcing as much of our resources and labour from our bio-region as possible. Only local tradespeople will be employed."

Meanwhile, Tiny House Scotland is the brainchild of architect Jonathan Avery, who designs and builds micro architecture. Avery's tiny house designs are central to a "village" for the homeless in Scotland, Tiny House Village Edinburgh, launched in Granton, Edinburgh, in May 2018. The Social Bite village provides a low-cost, safe-living environment for up to 20 people for around 12 to 18 months, with support to transition into permanent housing afterward.

Avery's early inspiration came from Japanese architecture, "where tiny apartments exhibited style and practicality in a small footprint". Design-wise, his first consideration is "the finite size, obviously. If it's a THOW (tiny house on wheels) - a weight limit of 3,500kg (550 stone) and maximum length of 7m (23ft) - for it to remain towable and road-legal rather than having to go on a low-loader."

His designs - with green performance central to their concept - have proven so popular that building slots by his company are fully booked up to 2024. Avery is helping to create The Social Bite Village Project in Edinburgh was boosted further when film star Leonardo DiCaprio became involved in the fundraising. A small victory in the scheme of things, maybe, but a giant leap for devotees of the tiny house movement.

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Just as minimalism found its moment, now it's the turn of the tiny house movement. Beverley D'Silva explores why, when it comes to dwellings, small is beautiful.