Research | Biophilic office Office space by Oliver Heath Design, which is collaborating with BRE on the biophilic study Natural selection A BRE study into biophilic design will focus on daylighting and electric lighting among other elements, explains BREs Flavie Lowres I n an exercise that may be the first of its kind in the world, an entire floor of a working office building and the 40 people employed there are the focus of a wide-ranging study. The workplace and its occupants will be tested and monitored for a year before and a year after the office space is refurbished. This is no ordinary refurbishment. It is part of the two-and-a-half-year Biophilic Office project, and will follow the principles of biophilic design. These focus on the needs of the people in buildings and their inherent connection to nature. The research is being carried out by building science centre BRE in conjunction with Oliver Heath Design and a range of industry partners. The dated 1980s office space will be refurbished in 2019 according to biophilic design principles. Most occupants rate the current space as poor The impact of nature Previous research has shown that being in natural environments, or even viewing depictions of nature, can have a positive impact on peoples wellbeing. Such environments can alleviate negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, depression and stress, while helping people feel calm and be inspired. But, the fact is, we spend the majority of our lives in buildings that usually isolate us from nature. Biophilic design helps bring us back into contact with the natural world in the built environment. This is not just about incorporating plants although they are often an important element but also making use of natural materials and textures, colour variations, personalised workspaces, views, refuge spaces and much besides. Integral to biophilic design is the provision and quality of natural and artificial lighting, including the impact that lighting has on circadian rhythms. 14 December 2018 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Dec18 pp14-16 Supp Biophilic.indd 14 23/11/2018 12:56