Nature at Work: 6 Offices That Embrace Biophilic Design

Today's workspaces are expected to offer more than just practicality. They should also support the health and wellbeing of the people who use them. When designed with care, office environments can help individuals feel more focused, creative, and at ease. Biophilic design introduces the calming and restorative qualities of nature into commercial interiors, combining aesthetics, functionality, and wellness. As awareness grows about the connection between our surroundings and our mental and physical health, biophilic principles are reshaping offices into spaces where people can genuinely thrive.

Understanding the benefits 

Biophilic design within architecture is nothing new but the idea of incorporating elements of nature into commercial environments has risen in popularity in recent years. Ongoing research into alleviating the symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS), and understanding what causes it, has also encouraged designers to think of innovative ways to enhance workplace health. Designers, architects and clients are in agreement that biophilic designs are beneficial to workers.

Workplace stress and burnout are increasingly common but being exposed to nature can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve cognitive function, and enhance mood. With the annual cost of poor mental health to employers reaching as high as £44 billion, the health benefits of healthier workplaces represent a significant opportunity for employers, designers and architects.

The following office designs represent exceptional examples of biophilic commercial interiors across the world:

1. The Biotope by Henning Larsen

The Biotope leaves behind traditional corridor-style layouts in favor of a dynamic, serpentine plan. The building's figure-eight configuration creates a continuous path of discovery, with employees navigating through sky bridges and balconies that offer changing perspectives and experiences. The rooftop garden serves as both a communal space and an extension of the workspace, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments. Natural light floods the interiors through large glazed panels, while materials like timber and stone add texture and warmth throughout the building.

2. Le Truc Clubhouse by A plus I

This creative hub in New York showcases how biophilic design can support innovation and creativity with its stunning Green Room. The space features a thoughtful mix of libraries, office pods, and lounges, each designed to stimulate different types of creative thinking. Live plants are integrated throughout the space, while soft daylight and natural materials encourage focus and flow. The overall effect is an atmosphere that nurtures collaboration while remaining grounded in a natural aesthetic.

3. Estée Lauder Singapore by Kohn Pedersen Fox

The Estée Lauder office space demonstrates how biophilic elements can be integrated into vertical connections between floors. The central marble staircase, reminiscent of stone formations, serves as both a functional circulation element and a visual focal point. The rock garden at its base adds a contemplative element to the transition and harmonious feel. Plantings and textures appear at multiple touchpoints, bringing a sense of calm and cohesion to what could otherwise be a highly corporate setting.

4. Paper & Tea Office by Schwitzke Górski

The Berlin headquarters of Paper & Tea exemplifies how biophilic design can align with a company's product philosophy. The Polish design studio created a space that celebrates natural materials and processes, mirroring the client's focus on organic tea products. Every detail, from timber accents and earthy hues to softly lit nooks, evokes simplicity and the rawness of nature. Greenery is used in moderation but intentionally, creating a sense of quiet reverence for the natural world.

5. American Australian Association (AAA) by Woods Bagot

Completed in 2023, this office space demonstrates how biophilic design can incorporate cultural references through material choices. The extensive use of wood slat interiors creates rhythm and texture reminiscent of rugged landscapes, while simultaneously providing acoustic benefits in an open environment. The spatial layout is fluid, and areas of refuge mimic natural sheltering forms, allowing workers to feel both grounded and inspired.

6. B:Hive Smales Farm by Jasmax

This bold reimagining transformed a former office park into a forward-thinking co-working hub. B:Hive Smales Farm prioritises user experience with biophilic elements throughout, from lush internal planting to curving communal spaces. The standout feature is a dramatic orange spiral staircase that connects multiple levels, echoing the natural movement of growth and flow. Large windows draw in daylight, and timber is used extensively for warmth and texture.

Sharing consistent and organic styles

Several common biophilic design traits emerge from these examples, from the organic circulating patterns to abandoning linear corridors in favor of flowing and organic lines that mimic natural pathways, even for a practical and pedestrianised route to a garage or parking area.

Vertical connections can also be biophilic focal points, creating moments of drama and connection as seen in the central staircase at Estée Lauder Singapore or the dramatic orange spiral staircase at B:Hive Smales Farm.

Similarly, the majority of materials across these design projects are natural and minimally processed with wood, stone, and plant life appearing consistently throughout the structures. These materials are often left in their authentic state, celebrating their original textures and raw imperfections. Another constant is the clever use of drawing in sunlight and reflecting circadian rhythms.

In addition, rather than uniform environments, these workplaces offer diverse features with varying scales, light levels, and degrees of enclosure, mimicking the variety found in ecosystems. Curved, organic shapes appear frequently, from the serpentine plan of the Biotope to the rounded furniture pieces in many of these areas, avoiding the rigid geometries often associated with conventional offices.

Creating Healthier Places to Work

As biophilic design continues to gain momentum, it's clear that this approach is not just a trend but a powerful tool for shaping how we work and feel each day. By drawing on nature's calming and restorative effects, designers and architects are redefining what a healthy workplace looks like.