The Dirt on Plants 

As we shift into a world where social distancing seems inevitable, biophilic design, an innate and genetically determined love for the natural world felt universally by humankind, plays an important role.

Adding plants and other natural elements to spaces in the built environment allows restaurants, bars, offices, and other public spaces to use lively, green barriers such as living walls or potted plants to ensure 6 foot separation. Plant-designed barriers act as aesthetic alternatives to plastic or concrete barriers, while also providing benefits to humans. For example, plants function as natural air purifiers, encompass psychological value, and boost productivity. 

TruVine Design specializes in vertical gardens, green wall design, and landscape design, adding value and innovation to both interior and exterior hospitality, commercial and residential spaces. By adding custom and moveable plant partitions to spaces based on their specific requirements, this reinforces feelings of safety and comfort for workers returning to offices and customers returning to sit-down restaurants and hotels.  Incorporating biophilic design in the built environment allows for sensory, emotional and satisfactory fulfillment while providing us with natural distancing, visual elegance and functional air purification.

Looking for a way to social distance with plants? Contact TruVine Design today.

Although there is often a disconnect between nature and the workplace, many companies are opting for ways to change work environments through the inclusion of biophilic design. The presence of nature in a human-dominated workplace fosters a sense of beauty and aesthetic pleasure and at the same time, provides benefits to the individuals exposed to it. It is often believed that access to nature, such as live plants or animals, has one of the strongest effects on physiologies of individuals. As a result, companies have been evolving towards a more environmental-friendly workplace. 

The incorporation of nature in the workplace seems to provide several benefits as spatial design which evokes natural landscapes increases occupant health and well-being. Whether it is inclusion of windows, plants, or even images of nature, the use of biophilic design in the workplace sparks creativity and improves concentration and engagement. 

Productivity amongst employees tends to increase by about 8 percent. In addition, rates of employee well-being rises by approximately 13 percent. Retainment of staff and fewer cases of absenteeism are seen as aspects of nature and biophilia in the workplace attract individuals. 

The emergence of biophilic design in the workplace is crucial in employee happiness and success. It creates a more positive environment. Biophilic design brings offices to life. 

Green walls, typically referred to as living walls, are unique, self-sufficient vertical gardens which are often attached to exterior or interior walls of a building. Green walls are diverse in the sense that they can be filled with so many different types of plants of varying colors, shapes and patterns. This allows for originality within each and every green wall design. However, in order to ensure plants will thrive on a green wall, the specific type of plants chosen for a living wall is vital.  

When it comes to selecting the type of plants for a vertical garden, the physical environment plays a major role. For example factors such as shade, sun, and rain patterns determine the type of plants that will grow best. In addition typical weather patterns and climate are also considered when choosing the type of plants to use. Different plants grow well in Florida compared to the type of plants that grow well in other climates such as in Colorado. When designed in full-sun and hot summer locations, green walls with vegetables and herbs do best. In dry and full-to-partial sun areas, succulents tend to do best. Furthermore, shady, bright light areas which are moist and cool during the night are perfect for green walls with ferns.  

As a result of weather and climate affecting plant growth and survival, successful plants for indoor green walls differ from outdoor ones. Indoor plants, or “houseplants,” are preferable for indoor green walls. Ideally, plants native to shady grounds of tropical rainforests which survive well in typical human-kept home and building temperatures are found on indoor vertical walls. Therefore, indoor green wall plants must be able to survive in low humidity and low light areas. In contrast, outdoor plants have less limitations as they can survive in higher humidity and higher sunlight areas. It is clear that when designing a green wall, strategy regarding the type of plants used is extremely vital.