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Originally Posted On: https://www.plantz.us/what-to-know-before-bringing-the-outdoors-inside/

Biophilic design is becoming increasingly popular in business spaces across the globe.  Generally speaking, Biophilic Design is bringing the living outdoors inside.  It’s a great way to highlight nature in professional buildings and home offices.  From the introduction of lush potted plants in the corner of a conference room to the installation of a verdant living wall as a focal point in a reception area, biophilic design comes in a variety of design options and is far from a one size fits all style.

What is a living wall?

A living wall is a grand addition to professional space.  From office buildings to restaurants the incorporation of a living wall is a showstopper piece that is sure to please your clients and customers while making your space the talk of the town.  But what is a living wall?  It is a vertical structure that houses plants or moss.  The plants utilize an integrated watering system that is a part of the structure of the wall itself and grow in soil or other substrate.  Imagine your reception area with your logo on the wall surrounded by lush, vibrant plants.  This kind of design has an overwhelming impact on arriving guests and is the perfect focal point for your office.

What are the practical benefits?

Beyond aesthetic benefits, incorporating biophilic design in a workspace has a wide variety of benefits for workers.  Plants are known to boost a person’s general well-being, reduce tension, and lessen anxiety.  Strategically locating plants in a workplace increases productivity in employees and makes them more alert.  Not only do plants benefit workers mentally, but they also have serious health benefits.  Plants like the Sansevieria or Mother-in-Law’s-Tongue, are natural air purifiers.  Plants are also known to lower blood pressure, which may be a side effect of lowered stress levels.  They even reduce the presence of allergens in the air.  Employers are able to reap the rewards of productive, healthy workers simply through the introduction of plants in the office.

Know the numbers

In order to build a lush living wall, it is important to fill in the entire structure with plants, leaving no unintentional open spaces.  Living walls are different from green facades in that the living wall is not reliant on climbing plants to fill in the space.  Therefore, it is important to have a firm idea of how many plants will be necessary to create your desired effect.

Plan the infrastructure

Having a strategic plan in place for your living wall is a critical aspect of creating this piece of living, natural art.  Will you be using soil or opt for a purely hydroponic plant display?  Will you choose manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic irrigation systems?  Are you looking to include track lighting in your design?  Is the inclusion of brick or stone interesting to you?  It is important to understand the desired size and shape of the living wall you intend to create and to have a plan for all of the details required for the maintenance of the green wall.

Determine location

Location plays a significant role not only in designing the living wall, but also in determining the types of plants ideal for your chosen location.  Sunlight is a key component to the survival of plants.  Having an adequate supply of sunlight will ensure your plant wall remains living.

Know the maintenance 

Plants require maintenance.  They are living, breathing parts of nature that grow and thrive with the right care.  Proper hydration, maintaining nutrients, pruning, and a consistent temperature are all vital to preserving your living art.

Business owners have a lot on their plates.  From P&Ls to HR to product supply, they are always on the go wishing there were more hours in a day.  Now you can enjoy the benefits of living walls and other forms of Biophilic Design without the stress of design, installation, and maintenance.  Call PLANTZ today to make your green wall come to life!