Wood - Nature Inspired Design

The use of wood in the interior of a building has clear physiological and psychological benefits that mimic the effect of spending time outside in nature. The feelings of natural warmth and comfort that wood elicits in people has the effect of lowering blood pressure and heart rates, reducing stress and anxiety, increasing positive social interactions and improving corporate image.

These benefits are particularly important for environments where it is difficult to incorporate nature indoors, such as hospitals, where strict health and safety guidelines may prevent the presence of plants, and office environments where views from the window are of roads and neighbouring concrete buildings.

Wood: Nature Inspired Design report

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Workplaces: Wellness + Wood = Productivity

Building designers are increasingly incorporating natural elements into indoor environments based on growing evidence associated with biophilia, the principle that connection to nature is essential to human wellbeing. Now world-first research has revealed that natural-looking wooden surfaces in the workplace are strongly associated with increased employee wellbeing and satisfaction, affording potential significant improvements to their productivity.

Bringing the Benefits of Nature Indoors

Our need to spend time in nature has been termed ‘biophilia’ and explains our innate need to connect with the natural world.

As it is not always possible to increase our time spent outside, particularly in areas like workplaces, schools and hospitals, understanding how to incorporate the physiological and psychological benefits of nature into our indoor environments is increasingly important.

The natural patterns and textures of wood can evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, which has the effect of lowering blood pressure and heart rates, reducing stress and anxiety and increasing positive social interactions.

A Disconnect with Nature

Modern society has changed its relationship with nature. In the space of a single generation children’s play has moved from outdoors to indoors, the iconic backyard has shrunk, parents have become increasingly anxious about children’s safety, working hours and stress levels have risen and technology (especially screens) has encroached into almost all areas of life.

Increasing urbanisation rates mean that people have less access to nature in their daily lives and Australians on average now spend over 90 per cent of their time indoors. This disconnect with nature and the outdoors corresponds with reports of increasing levels of obesity and nearly half of Australians experiencing a mental health condition within their lifetime.

Planet Ark's David Rowlinson in conversation with Myf Warhurst on ABC Radio

On Friday 9th November 2018, Planet Ark's Make It Wood Campaign Manager David Rowlinson spoke to well-known TV and Radio personality Myf Warhurst on ABC Radio. They talked about the health and wellbeing benefits of timber and biophilic design, and why wood is also good for the environment. You can hear the interview here.

David Rowlison recording radio interview at ABC in 2018.

Benefits of Wooden Interiors

Multiple physiological and psychological benefits have been identified for wooden interiors, including:

Reduced blood pressure, heart rate and stress levels
Improvements to a person’s emotional state and level of self-expression
Improved air quality through humidity moderation

Why we need to connect with nature

Our need to spend time in nature has been termed ‘biophilia’ and explains our innate need to connect with the natural world. This relationship can be extended into the built environment where we live, work, rest and play.