Research on the impact of biophilic office space environments on employee health promotion

Abstract

Background

In modern office environments, prolonged exposure to artificial settings that lack natural elements can aggravate employees’ psychological and physiological health issues, such as depression and insomnia. Biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements into the workspace, has been shown to effectively alleviate these issues and improve overall employe health.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the impact of biophilic design on employes’ physical and mental health in office environments, with a focus on how varying levels of natural element integration (such as indoor and outdoor greenery) affect employes’ mood, stress levels, and work efficiency.

Methods

Thirteen office spaces with differing levels of biophilic elements in Dalian, China, were selected as study subjects. Based on their biophilic characteristics and integration levels, the spaces were categorized into four types: (A) no greenery, (B) outdoor greenery only, (C) both indoor and outdoor greenery, and (D) indoor greenery combined with outdoor terraces. Employes were assessed through pre- and post-intervention surveys (including the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS)) and on-site observations. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine the weight of different influencing factors, combined with the TOPSIS model to quantify the correlation between employe health and biophilic office environments.

Results

Office spaces with higher levels of biophilic integration—particularly those with both indoor and outdoor greenery (Type D)—had the most significant positive effects on employes’ physical and mental health. Compared to environments with fewer biophilic features, employes in such environments demonstrated greater emotional stability, better sleep quality, lower stress levels, and improved work efficiency.

Conclusions

This study confirms the positive influence of biophilic design on enhancing employe health and work performance, especially in environments that integrate both indoor and outdoor natural elements. These findings suggest that incorporating biophilic design into office environments can foster healthier and more productive workspaces. However, further longitudinal research is recommended to verify the long-term effects.