Biophilic Design in Offices: How to Start and What It Costs
Biophilic design is not just a trend — it is an approach to designing workspaces that stems from the natural human need for contact with nature. How do you apply it in practice?
What is biophilic design
The term comes from the Greek "biophilia" — love of life and nature. Biophilic design is an architectural and interior approach that intentionally integrates natural elements into buildings and workspaces. It is not just about plants — it encompasses natural light, natural materials, water features, organic shapes and views of nature.
In the context of office environments, biophilic design has been proven to improve employee wellbeing, reduce stress and increase productivity. Detailed data is available in our article How Plants Boost Employee Productivity.
Key elements of biophilic design
1. Living plants and green walls
The most accessible and effective element. Indoor plants, green walls, living pictures — the range of options is wide. Start with the strategic placement of plants in open-plan spaces, meeting rooms and receptions.
2. Natural light
Maximise daylight through windows, light tubes or glass partitions. Where architecture does not permit this, "tunable" LED systems simulating the circadian cycle can help.
3. Natural materials
Wood, stone, bamboo, cork — even visual or tactile contact with natural materials reduces the stress response.
4. Water
A fountain, aquarium or simply the sound of water increases concentration and reduces noise. Desktop fountains or lobby water features are most practical for offices.
5. Views of nature or green spaces
Research shows that even a view of greenery from a window has a positive effect on wellbeing. Where possible, orient workstations towards windows with green views.
How to get started: step by step
Step 1: Space audit
Map out light conditions, air flow, existing materials and views. Identify "dead spots" — dark corners, sterile corridors, meeting rooms without a view.
Step 2: Prioritisation
Start with the highest-impact spaces — reception (first impression), meeting rooms (stress reduction), open-plan areas with the most workstations.
Step 3: Plants as first step
Plants are the most accessible biophilic element. Start by renting 10–20 plants strategically placed in priority spaces. Pricing and calculations are in our article How Much Does Plant Rental Cost in Prague.
Step 4: A green wall as a statement piece
One striking green wall in reception or the main space transforms the overall perception of the office. It is the most effective biophilic design investment in terms of visual impact.
What biophilic design costs
The range of investment is wide. The minimal version (10–20 plants on rental) costs 2,000–4,000 CZK/month. A comprehensive biophilic office redesign with a living wall, natural materials and lighting can reach 200,000–500,000 CZK as a one-off investment.
Good news: even the simplest form — quality plants — has a measurable effect on employees. You do not need to start with a large investment.
ESG and biophilic design
A green office feeds into the ESG report under "S" (social) — employee wellbeing, working environment and corporate culture. More on this topic in our article ESG Reporting and Office Greenery.
Get started today
Verdino offers free consultation and biophilic design proposals for your office. Contact us or explore our services.