Plants are often used in biophilic design to make spaces more welcoming and visually appealing, but their ability to regulate the bacterial diversity in the air is often overlooked.
Rapid urbanization of the world, coupled with the excessive sanitization of indoor spaces following the pandemic, has meant our interaction with beneficial bacteria found in nature has reduced dramatically in recent times.
We tend to think of bacteria as a cause of sickness, but many varieties can actually benefit our health. In fact, studies have shown that exposure to diverse range of bacteria can help improve our immune system and overall wellbeing.
Exposure to bacteria strengthens our immune system as it helps our body to recognise and fight off infections. When we are exposed to harmful bacteria, our body produces antibodies which help to kill the bacteria. Over time, our body becomes better at producing these antibodies and as a result, we become better at fighting off infections.
One way to reintroduce these essential organisms into our lives is through biophilic design, which is the integration of plants and other natural elements into our built environment.
According to a recent study published on nature.com, plants in an indoor environment can increase the diversity of bacteria in the air.
The research was conducted by analysing the air in three seperate rooms within a greenhouse, before and after planting was added. The width, depth, and height of each room were 3m, 5m, and 3m, respectively. Temperature and humidity in each room was controlled to be 25°C and 55% RH, respectively. The plants in each room were different in type, combination and arrangement. Maintenance was performed every two weeks and include watering, pruning and replacing dead plants.
Samples were collected from each room over a seven-month period. Sampling was performed twice a month in each room before planting (Jan, Feb) and after planting (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep).
In the above table we see how the recorded quantities of bacterial DNA greatly increased in each room, particularly in Room A, after the addition plants in each setting. The results also highlighted that not only did the rooms with plants have more bacteria, but they also had a greater diversity of bacteria.
The full version of the research results with additional findings from the report can be viewed here.
This research builds upon the results of our own recently completed research project which included an incredible 200% increase in well-being and environmental value compared to a normal workspace.
We hope encouraging results like these will be of great value in influencing the future of our offices and will encourage key decision makers to start thinking about biophilic design from the very start of their projects.
Adding plants to shelves like we did here is a quick and cost-effective way to help boost the health and wellbeing of your employees and visitors – without disrupting day-to-day work.
Plants are perhaps the easiest, and often more cost-effective, wellbeing initiative to implement in a corporate setting, and their benefits can be felt instantly.
Think your office could benefit from some extra greenery? Get in touch to discuss your next office project today: https://www.benholm.com/contact-us/
Bacteria Help Body Beef Up Immunity, Study Says
Diversity and compositional differences of the airborne microbiome in a biophilic indoor environment
