8 Cool Examples of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

Biophilic design is an approach to architecture and interior design that brings natural experiences into the built environment. Research has linked exposure to nature and biophilic elements with benefits such as reduced stress, improved well-being, and better workplace experiences. With people spending about 90% of their time indoors, it’s easy to see why more companies are incorporating biophilic design in the workplace.

Explore these creative examples of biophilic design transforming workspaces.

Company: fairlife Offices
Location: Chicago, IL
Design Firm: BOX Studios

office lobby with green wall and natural wood interior showcasing biophilic design in the workplace — Photos courtesy of James John Jetel & Office Snapshots

image of offices with green carpet and natural wooden textures

office hallway with natural wood textures and plants in wooden planters

What We Love

Small conference rooms feature nature imagery and carpeting that resembles a grassy field
Earth tones flow throughout the office
Greenery fills the open-concept workplace
Planters serve as visual barriers that help define different areas
Wood and other natural materials appear throughout the space
Carpeting in the main area evokes nature with an irregular, moss-like pattern

Company: Sacramento Kings Corporate Offices
Location: Sacramento, CA
Design Firm: RMW Architecture & Interiors

Photo courtesy of Emily Hagiopian & Office Snapshots

What We Love

Tall plants in large, square planters help divide the open floor plan into smaller, more defined work areas
Weathered wood planking and landscaping stones around the planters bring additional natural textures into the space
An irregular carpet pattern introduces an organic, nature-inspired look
Interior lighting casts shadows that create naturalistic shapes

Company: Uptake Headquarters
Location: Chicago, IL
Design Firm: BOX Studios

interior office with tree trunk columns, plant wall, grassy green carpet and striped folding chairs as an example of biophilic design in the workplace — Photos courtesy of James John Jetel & Office Snapshots

open seating area with wooden floor, small tables, and planter dividers

open yoga room with black yoga mats, hanging plants, and a bamboo plant divider

What We Love

Carpet mimics the natural landscape
Natural materials, including wood flooring, exposed beams, and birch trunks used to help define the space, appear throughout
The space feels like a jungle, with green walls, potted plants, and hanging plants
A serene yoga room gives employees a quiet retreat surrounded by foliage and warm lighting

Company: Adobe Headquarters
Location: San Jose, CA
Design Firm: Gensler

Adobe Headquarters meeting room with clear glass walls, textured grassy carpet,s and a long wooden table — Photos courtesy of David Wakely & Office Snapshots

welcome desk with a plant wall and grassy green carpet

yoga room with three people and a nature mural

open room with a long wooden table with planters on top, booth seating with a woman using a computer, and picnic tables sitting on a green carpet

What We Love

Earth tones dominate the office design
Wooden boxes create organic shapes across the walls and ceiling
Grass-like carpet paired with picnic tables evokes an outdoor landscape
A glass-enclosed meeting room resembles a greenhouse
Large wall murals feature images of nature

Company: Forest City Offices
Location: Cleveland, OH
Design Firm: Vocon

forest city office building entryway with metal and wood stairs, a plant wall, and a small table — Photos courtesy of Matthew Carbone & Office Snapshots

forest city office open meeting space with green carpet and geometric wooden wall divider

forest city office entry lobby and stairway

What We Love

Irregularly patterned carpet and grassy green patches help create a more natural look throughout the space
A wooden wall features repeating patterns inspired by nature
A large-scale green wall and tall rectangular planters add greenery while helping divide the open space
Abundant interior lighting creates the feel of a skylit atrium

Company: Carvana Offices
Location: Tempe, AZ
Design Firm: RSP Architects

carvana office with exposed industrial ceiling, exposed brick, a green carpet to imitate grass, and hanging wall plants — Photo courtesy of Kyle Zirkus Photography & Office Snapshots

What We Love

Creative pendant lights mimic the look of natural light
Natural materials appear in both the flooring and furniture
An earthy color palette carries throughout the office
A green, grass-like rug helps set apart an informal workspace while bringing in an outdoor feel
Mounted planters on an open wall structure add greenery and visual interest

Company: Prolific Interactive Offices
Location: New York City, NY
Design Firm: Amenta Emma Architects

prolific interactive offices showcasing biophilic design in the workplace with a green wall and natural wood textures — Photo courtesy of Robert Benson Photography & Office Snapshots

What We Love

Natural materials help create a warm, comfortable atmosphere
A neutral rug features a nature-inspired fractal pattern
Glass walls allow natural light to reach more of the workspace
Wood flooring and wall panels reinforce the connection to nature
A living green wall adds a bold pop of color against the otherwise neutral palette

Company: United Technologies Digital Offices
Location: New York City, NY
Design Firm: Gensler

biophilic design in the united technologies workplace with neutral couches and natural wooden planters hanging from the ceiling — Photos courtesy of Garrett Rowland & Office Snapshots

image of united technologies digital offices with a plant wall and pool table

united technologies digital office's open meeting space with a plant wall, hanging planters, and a long wooden table

image of part of the united technologies digital office with exposed brick wall and a rounded window looking out into a city

united technologies digital exhibiting biophilic design in the workplace with a natural stone wall and wooden textures

What We Love

A mix of natural materials appears throughout the office
Greenery in hanging planters and living walls creates a direct connection to nature
Exposed wooden beams resemble trees, while areas of green carpet mimic grass
Interior lighting is designed to resemble natural light

Biophilic design is more than adding a few plants to an office. As these examples show, natural materials, greenery, light, pattern, and other nature-inspired elements can all play a role in creating a stronger connection to the outdoors. Together, these elements can help create workplaces that feel more engaging and thoughtfully designed.