Contribution
HR People + Strategy
Linking Theory + Practice: Healthier Workplaces, Happier Employees
Publication
People + Strategy, The professional journal of HR People + Strategy
Pages 14-17 | Volume 38 | Issue 3 | Summer 2015
Author
Bill Browning, Terrapin Bright Green
Abstract
Green building efforts traditionally focus on energy, water and healthy materials – all important topics. Yet, human costs are 112 times greater than energy costs in the the workplace. We believe that incorporating nature into the built environment is not a luxury, but a sound economic investment in health and productivity. In reality, biophilic design has been proven to improve employee well-being, consequently impacting productivity costs and the bottom line.
Transforming an existing or new workspace into a biophilic environment must be strategic. Certain biophilic strategies have specific cognitive or physiological outcomes, so a designer must select interventions that will have the desired effects. This article explores how strategic and cost-effective applications of biophilic design can lead to healthier workplaces and happier employees.
