How to design greenery in the office? Practical tips

It is widely known that live plants influence the perception of interiors. Research conducted on behalf of 4Nature System in cooperation with PLGBC and the Silesian University of Technology in 10 Warsaw offices proves that users of interiors filled with plants feel an improvement in air quality and humidity, well-being, and work comfort. How to introduce greenery into the office?

For 12 weeks, 4Nature System analyzed the impact of plants on office workers in 10 large Warsaw companies.

The results of the study leave no room for doubt – they confirm the positive impact of nature on people’s comfort, the quality of the working environment, and, consequently, the quality of work.

There was a 17% increase in productivity, 62% of people noticed an increase in work efficiency, 84% of employees felt an improvement in their well-being and a reduction in stress, and 88% confirmed an improvement in their comfort at work. Live plants also have a significant impact on air quality and humidity – 80% of people noticed an improvement in this area. As a result, the majority of respondents, as many as 88%, want to have plants as close to their workplace as possible – these are the conclusions reached by 4 Nature System after analyzing 10 offices in Warsaw in terms of the impact of plants on employee well-being.

The more greenery we introduce into the interior, the more effective its positive impact will be. Only properly designed vegetation will be easy to maintain and will make users feel more comfortable – reducing anxiety, improving concentration, and increasing creativity. How to avoid mistakes in arranging office spaces using greenery?

How to properly design greenery in the office?

What should be taken into account if we want to arrange greenery in the office correctly with a view to improving employee well-being?

Planning plants already at the design stage

In order for office plants to have a noticeable impact on employees, they should be arranged in appropriate quantities and in appropriate locations. At the same time, their care must be convenient – access to plants and maximum automation of activities must be ensured. Composition is also important, and plants are a versatile and universally appealing decorative material for any aesthetic, even the most modern. Achieving this complex effect is possible precisely by taking plants into account at the early stages of design, which will allow, for example, for the appropriate distribution of water and electrical installations.

Although many of the 4Nature System solutions – such as the Smart Green furniture line – can be introduced at any time, even in an existing office, we definitely have more options in the design phase. It is extremely important to provide plants with adequate lighting, which is not something worth skimping on. Without it, the vegetation will grow slowly and may soon become diseased and die. We should also remember to provide adequate space for the root system. Pots that are too small will result in the intended spectacular effect being poor, and the possibilities for planting plants and their further growth will be very limited. The earlier we think about plants in the interior, the greater flexibility we have in arranging them and the easier it will be to care for them later on.

Taking vegetation close to people into account

To optimize the effect of vegetation, it is worth arranging it where people spend most of their time. The idea is to ensure that greenery is always present in the employees’ surroundings and that users are constantly surrounded by greenery. Partition walls in open spaces, a green wall in a conference room, a well-room, or a relaxation area are ideal spaces and solutions for live plants.

Introduction of sustainable and systemic solutions

Achieving specific humidity and air quality parameters depends on matching the proportion of vegetation to the volume of the room, existing conditions, expected temperature, and, of course, the number of employees. We can only achieve optimal parameters if we think about vegetation systematically and use systematic solutions. At 4Nature System, we have created a calculator that allows you to precisely determine the area of plants (m2) that should be introduced into the designed space in order to achieve the desired increase in air humidity.

It is also important to consider the quality and durability of the solutions you choose. The long service life of the products will ensure that users are not only satisfied with the visual effect, but also grateful for the trouble-free and low-cost operation.

Arranging plants in clusters

Vertical systemic vegetation offers endless possibilities for utilizing vertical space and optimally filling surfaces. At the same time, we also gain significant compositional potential for accumulating greenery. Plants in clusters, like pixels in an image, will give a visual effect incomparable to individual pots scattered around, and their maintenance will be much easier.

Thinking about long-term maintenance and care

Well-designed vegetation should be convenient and economical to maintain. Here, too, a systematic approach is an advantage – it allows for the accumulation of greenery and ensures optimal conditions, not only in terms of irrigation, but also lighting and control using IoT technology. Complex plant designs, e.g., under the ceiling or above desks, will result in the plants receiving too little light, and watering them will be very problematic. It will also cause an unnecessary increase in the cost of caring for them. When we talk about effective design with a view to influencing employees, we are talking about large areas, and these should be comfortable to maintain. Systematic vegetation managed remotely via a mobile app saves time and money.

Flexibility also in terms of vegetation

In a modern office, space can be freely rearranged according to needs. Solutions for introducing greenery should be consistent with the principles of flexible design.

System vegetation is mobile, and its agility is guaranteed by its modular design. Modularity and durability are among the basic principles of 4Nature System, which enable the design of original large-format compositions while maintaining high mobility.

We can change the layout of the modules at any time, expand the composition, or move elements to another part of the office. This allows greenery to follow people and their needs, and as we mentioned, proximity to plants has a significant impact on employee well-being.

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Although we know more and more about the positive impact of live plants on the comfort and well-being of office workers, it is still a challenge to introduce greenery in a way that produces the desired effects.

With effective interior design in mind, 4Nature System, in cooperation with Helvar and with the support of PLGBC, is organizing a series of meetings entitled DESIGN THE INVISIBLE – FROM LOOK & FEEL TO WELL. We talk to architects, designers, facility and office managers, among others, about the proper planning of sustainable and friendly spaces.

We are happy to share our knowledge of the practical aspects of biophilic design, designing the invisible elements that affect the quality of work, well-being, and positive perception of space. We invite you to follow the event page and announcements about upcoming events.