Pillar 1 Ambiance

Create a biophilic office 

Welcome to our Ambiance page, here we showcase inspiring office designs blending beauty, calming simplicity and purpose.

Creating spaces that foster productivity, serenity, and a connection with nature. 

Biophilics office.

Biophilics are elements from nature and there are several reasons to implement biophilics. 

Reception area

• Creating a welcoming and calming environment starts with adding natural elements to the reception space, this can really help to set the tone for visitors and employees alike.
• It also effectively communicate your footprint and give the respect to the visitor to wait in a beautiful calming space.
• Incorporating water elements like a fountain with rocks can create a soothing ambiance, while the addition of plants can bring freshness and vitality to the space.
• Real plants will create purity of the the air quality, wall decorations featuring natural elements such as landscapes can also contribute to a calming and inviting atmosphere..

Points we can introduce 

• Biophilic Design: Integrate natural elements for a calming, refreshing atmosphere.page biophilic
• Using natural materials like wood or stone in the furniture or flooring to add warmth and texture
• Sounds. Playing soft, nature-inspired sounds or music in the background
• Utilising aromatherapy with essential oils or scented candles to create a pleasant and relaxing scent
• Arrangement of comfortable seating near the fountain or plants to encourage employees and visitors to take a moment to relax and enjoy the space
• Ergonomics, Eco-friendly Seating: Offer stylish, comfortable, and sustainable chairs
• Air-purifying Greenery: Enhance air quality and ambiance with living walls or potted plants
• Sustainable Materials: Choose eco-friendly flooring, lighting, and furniture options.
• Signature Scent: Curate a natural, inviting aroma reflecting your organization's values.
• Adding a round* table with dates, and other fruits, and drinks creates a welcoming touch to the reception area. Not only does it provide a welcoming gesture for visitors and employees, but it also ties in nicely with the natural elements we are incorporating.

*To enhance this round table concept, we could:

• *Round table. This is a highly commendable form, the ancient technique of Feng Sui explain that round is flow and corners are hard and negative
• Choosing a table made from natural materials like wood or stone to complement the overall theme of natural calming design
• Select fruits and dates that are not only delicious but also visually appealing and colourful
• Offer a variety of drinks, such as infused water or herbal teas, to cater to different preferences
• Consider using sustainable or re-usable cups, glasses, and plates to serve the refreshments, in line with your eco-friendly approach

By paying attention to these details, we can create a thoughtful and memorable experience for everyone who enters the Office reception  

Work spaces

Offering a variety of workspace options can help support different work styles and promote productivity and focus.

• By providing these different workstation options, employees can choose the environment that best suits their needs and preferences, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

Here are some suggestions for different stations to consider:l

• Collaborative Workstation: A space with multiple desks or tables for employees to work together on group projects or brainstorming sessions
• Quiet Workstation: An area with individual desks or cubicles for employees who prefer to work in a quiet and distraction-free environment
• Standing Desk Stations: A space with adjustable desks that allow employees to stand or sit while working, promoting physical health and reducing the risk of sedentary-related health issues
• Creative Work stations: An area with comfortable seating and inspiring decor for employees who need a more relaxed and creative environment to work in
• Phone Booth Stations: A small, enclosed space with soundproofing for employees to make phone calls or participate in video conferences without disturbing others
• Quiet Zones: Create quiet zones with comfortable seating and minimal distractions, allowing team members to focus on individual tasks or recharge after meetings
• Digital Detox Areas: Establish technology-free areas where team members can disconnect from devices and engage in face-to-face conversations, promoting a healthier relationship with technology in the workplace
• Flexible Workspaces: Giving teams the flexible workspace they need to get things done can boost collaboration and office morale

Optimal working space elements are:

• Ergonomic Furniture: provide comfortable and adjustable chairs, desks, and other furniture to support proper posture and prevent strain or injury. Ergonomic furniture plays a crucial role in your home office's health. So, by ensuring correct posture and reducing strain, you can not only work more productively but also improve your long-term health and well-being. 
• Yogamats next to the desks: Having a yoga mat nearby allows and invites for quick, refreshing breaks during your workday. When your Pomodoro timer signals a 5-minute pause, simply step onto the mat and stretch, breathe, or do a few yoga poses. This boosts energy, reduces stress, and keeps your body active throughout the day
• Beanbag as a tool: A bean bag chair is a versatile addition to any workspace. Its soft, supportive design lets you take a break from sitting at your desk, stretching and relaxing your muscles. You can also use it for gentle exercises, like seated stretches or core engagement, making it a handy tool for maintaining comfort and well-being during work hours
• Natural Light: Optimize access to natural light by positioning workstations near windows or using glass partitions, which can boost mood and productivity.
• Minimal Distractions: Designate quiet zones or implement noise-reducing measures to minimize auditory distractions, ensuring a peaceful and focused work environment.
• Change *open office acoustics: Employees often find it challenging to focus and concentrate. As a result, efficiency and output both taken well. *Open spaces have also been linked with lower job satisfaction, increased sick days, and higher turnover rates  . 
• Biophilic Design - Elements: Integrate natural elements* to create a calming and refreshing atmosphere. Research shows that incorporating natural elements into the workspace can significantly boost productivity. When we're surrounded by greenery, natural light, and natural materials, we tend to be more focused, creative, and engaged in our tasks*Biophillic elements: natural materials, and nature-inspired artworks, gem stones, water fountains, rocks, wallpaper with natural elements, wall decorations with natural elements, plants with air purification properties.
• Adjustable Temperature: Ensure employees can control the temperature in their workspace, promoting thermal comfort and well-being. Windows open if possible for fresh air depending on location of the office or high quality air purifier system 
• Storage and Organization: Provide ample storage options and tools for employees to keep their workspaces tidy and organized, reducing stress and increasing productivity..
• Technology Integration: Equip workspaces with the latest technology and resources, such as high-speed Wi-Fi, wireless charging stations, and video conferencing capabilities, to support seamless collaboration and productivity.
• Water station: Adequate water intake is a low-cost and effectively non-invasive strategy for individual health outcomes. The health-promoting effects of the water intake wellness intervention: significantly increasing water intake, the intervention improves direct and indirect many health conditions & behaviors, thereby benefiting physical and mental health. 

By incorporating some or all these elements into the working spaces, the company is creating an environment that evolve.

Board rooms - multiple functions 

It's interesting to consider to create the implementation a space that can easily transform into:

• calm room
• reading - learning - journalling room
• meeting room
• silent workroom
• waiting room
• workshop space
• collaboration room

This way catering to the specific needs of your team - company. Having alternative spaces for meetings and collaboration can foster a more relaxed and creative environment for your team.

Here are some innovative ideas we might as well consider:

• Comfortable Seating: Upgrade traditional boardroom chairs to more comfortable options, such as lounge chairs or ergonomic seating, to promote relaxation and focus during meetings.
• Second boardroom: Keep the existing traditional boardroom and have a second boardroom for different kind of meetings.
• Hammocks: Consider more multifunctional board room spaces. In one introduce hammocks for casual brainstorming sessions or break-out areas, encouraging team members to take breaks and recharge in a calming environment..

The different formats of board rooms will give different meeting results. For example the Hammock Meeting will give results that promote outside the box thinking. 

Calm space

Serves as a versatile sanctuary for employees, offering a multitude of functions and benefits.

Here's a brief summary of its potential uses:

• Unwinding: At the end of the day, the calm space provides a tranquil environment for employees to decompress, helping to alleviate stress and promote relaxation.
• Day-time Retreat: Throughout the day, the calm space can serve as a peaceful oasis for yoga, meditation, or short breaks, enabling employees to recharge and refocus.
• Lunch break haven: During lunch breaks, the space transforms into an inviting area for employees to enjoy longer breaks, fostering camaraderie and relaxation.
• Meeting Space: For more low-key meetings or brainstorming sessions, the calm space offers a serene setting that encourages creativity and collaboration.
• Learning Hub: Employees can use the calm space for reading, learning new skills, or attending workshops, promoting personal and professional growth.
• Morning Routine: Begin the day in the calm space by setting goals, journaling, or sipping a cup of tea, establishing a positive and focused mindset for the day ahead.

Gallery Calm spaces (premium)

Activity space

By highlighting the flexibility and versatility of the activity space, the office demonstrates its ability to adapt to the changing needs of employees throughout the day, making it a valuable addition in the Office experience

The activity space is a versatile area that can accommodate various functions throughout the day.

Here's a breakdown of its potential uses: 

• Circuit 2* area (see pillar 3 with the 10 daily circuits) Designed for strength, balance, agility and cardiovascular training, this corner includes minimal equipment necessary for total body exercises.
• Features: swiss balls, pull up bar, stretching bars, balance board, mats, rebounder
• Yoga Corner: Features space for yoga movements with accompanying posters to guide employees, fostering balance, flexibility, relaxation, and mindfulness.
• Sustainable play Corner: Offers a wooden table with a bench and can be used for entertaining and engaging games like Mikado, tower building, and shuffle board. These games promoting hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and social interaction.
• Active meetingspace. Talk things through whilst rebounding ( for example) is a creative setting for unexpected outcomes and breakthrougs.  Encourage movement and engagement during meetings by utilizing the activity space for standing or walking meetings, fostering collaboration and creativity
• Personal development journalling. 
• Unwinding space. Yoga, rebounding, journalling, progressive muscle relaxation and more.
• Measurement Corner: can provide essential tools like a body weight scale, tape measure, and blood pressure monitor for employees, who desire so, to track their progress, monitor health metrics, and use this way for a  motivation tool in reaching their wellness goals.
• Other functions of this space are Activities, workshops, events, other team-building exercises. Collaboration space

The Kitchen space

is a vibrant space that encourages employee wellness, social interaction, and creativity.

Key features include:

• Hydration Station with filtered water, water containers, and detox options.
• Smoothie Bowl Station with easy access to ingredients and for each employee a personal blender and ingredients* storage.
• Convenient washing basins 
• Organized salad bar.

 Aesthetic design with natural elements for a serene atmosphere.

Beyond meal prep, the kitchen serves as

• a social hub,
• innovation space,
• educational area, promoting healthy habits, skill-sharing, and sustainability.
• personal cupboards and wellness resources further enhance employee satisfaction and growth.

* Personal ingredients can be: bags of cacao-, spirulina-, berry powders, herbs, snacks and stevia 

Canteen space

In the Oasis Office, the canteen serves multiple purposes beyond just dining.

• Canteen Space: In the Oasis Office, the canteen goes beyond dining, offering a space for socializing, hosting workshops, and fostering connections.
• It promotes healthy eating, sustainability, and creativity while serving as a tech-free waiting area.
• The canteen is a biophilic hub supporting well-being and community within the office.

Indoor Oasis-Office gardens 

The gardens can thrive through methods like hydroponics or soil-based systems.

By reusing water from the kitchen, we create a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency.

These gardens not only provide fresh produce, such as salads and strawberries, but also contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment.

Plants purify the air, increase oxygen levels, and add natural beauty to the workspace, promoting a sense of well-being and connection to nature. 

Zen gardens

Are bringing a little oasis into the office is such a brilliant way to reset the vibe. 

 It’s like giving your workspace a quiet breath of calm, where creativity can grow as freely as those plants. Sun-drenched or softly shaded, those little green corners aren’t just pretty—they’re peace boosters

The in-house shop

offers a convenient way for employees to embrace a sustainable healthy lifestyle by providing

• superfoods,
• healthy snacks, 
• raw food preparation equipment,
• eco-friendly work attire,
• and personal care items.

This shop encourages employees to adopt sustainable habits and supports the office's wellness-focused culture. The profits generated from the shop can be reinvested into the kitchen, further enhancing the office's commitment to employee well-being and sustainability.