The office environment demands a great deal of our concentration. We spend our days processing information and constantly switching between tasks. Without natural points of rest, our mental energy quickly depletes. At Ambius, we focus on the innate human need to connect with nature. By weaving nine specific elements into an interior, we create an environment where focus and energy come naturally.

Key Takeaways

  • Restoring Focus: Natural elements help the brain recharge after intensive digital exertion.

  • Sensory Experience: Good design subtly engages sight, hearing, smell, and touch.

  • Security and Calm: Strategically placed greenery provides a sense of enclosure and dampens distracting noise.

  • Healthier Work Climate: Natural materials and light levels are proven to lower stress hormones.

  • Always Bespoke: A site visit ensures the perfect balance between these nine building blocks.
     

The 9 Building Blocks of a Vital Environment

These nine elements serve as the blueprint for transforming an office, hotel, or healthcare facility. By combining them intelligently, we create a space where people feel comfortable and can perform at their best.

1. Vegetation

Plants of varying heights, shapes, and colours create a layered and vibrant aesthetic. This softens the sharp lines and uniformity of a standard office interior. The result is a space that feels natural and brings visual calm.

2. Refuge and Shelter

People feel more at ease in spaces that offer a sense of enclosure. By placing green partitions around seating areas or meeting spaces, we create a feeling of security. These natural barriers also help to dampen ambient noise.

3. Sound

Foliage and green walls are ideal for absorbing or blocking intrusive background noise. Additionally, natural sounds such as trickling water in communal areas, create a serene atmosphere that aids concentration.

4. Connections with the Outdoors

The harsh edges of buildings around windows can be softened with planting. This blurs the line between inside and out, creating an open feel and connecting the workspace directly to the natural world.

5. Landscape Views

Not every building overlooks a forest or park. By cleverly combining plants with other design elements, we mimic the experience of a vast landscape. This visual depth helps the brain step away from the computer screen and find a moment of rest.

6. Natural Materials

How a space feels to the touch largely dictates how we experience it. By using materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, and gravel, we bring outdoor textures inside. These earthy materials create a warm, human atmosphere that balances the hard surfaces of a modern office.

7. Light

Daylight is the engine of our wellbeing. Combined with planting, it creates a dynamic play of light and ‘dappled shade’. This effect is reminiscent of a walk beneath the trees and creates a tranquil environment that prevents overstimulation.

8. Scent

Our sense of smell is closely linked to our emotions. A pleasant, natural fragrance in high-traffic areas enhances the general sense of wellbeing. It ensures a positive first impression and a fresh experience of the building.

9. Water

Water brings movement and life to a building. This can be achieved physically with water features, or visually through artwork depicting rivers, seas, or waterfalls. Looking at or listening to water has an immediate calming effect on our nervous system.

Working in a Living Environment

Applying these nine elements is an investment in the people behind an organisation. A well-designed space reduces absenteeism and creates a workplace that attracts and retains talent. Whether it is a soothing moss wall in a healthcare setting or a dynamic green landscape in a lobby, the right balance between nature and interior creates an atmosphere that inspires.

Advice Tailored to Your Space

No two buildings are the same. Our experts assess light levels, footfall, and the desired ambience of your premises to provide the right solution. This ensures a design that truly fits your unique situation.

Would you like to discover how we can integrate these nine elements into your workspace? Contact us for a site visit and let’s explore the possibilities together.