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Celebrating 50 years: Our next journey starts here.

What is Biophilic Design?

Biophilia is a “love of life or living systems”. It’s our inherent human connection to the natural world. In an urban world of technology and industrial architecture, this fundamental connection can sometimes feel all but lost. Biophilic design is an innovative way to harness this affinity to create natural environments for us to live, work and learn. By consciously including nature in interior or architectural design, we are unconsciously reconnecting, bringing the great outdoors in to our constructed world.

Interface and Biophilic Design

As pioneers in sustainability, Interface advocates for biophilic design and knows it is critical to human health to include natural systems and processes in our buildings and constructed landscapes. Over 50 studies worldwide, including our Human Spaces Report with psychologist Professor Sir Cary Cooper, have proven the positive effects nature or environments that mimic nature have on overall health and well-being.

Importance in the Workplace

An environment devoid of nature can have a negative effect on health, productivity and well-being. This is particularly important in the corporate office sector.

Ill health and lack of well-being can result in poor performance and productivity, lost work time and increased costs. In the UK, work-related stress accounts for 35% of ill health and 43% of absenteeism, costing organizations an estimated £29 billion a year. In the United States, absenteeism costs employers an average of $2,074 per employee, per year.

What are the Benefits?

There is a direct correlation between clever work-space design and improved employee well-being and performance. Even simple changes to incorporate nature in the workplace can have a huge impact on how employees feel when they come to work, and how happy, creative and productive they feel when they are working.

Our aim is to elevate a biophilic approach to workplace design so that it is higher on the global corporate agenda.

FLOR Valley View and Yucca Tree carpet tile rug over Interface Natural Woodgrains LVT in lobby
© Erin Kelleher Photography

Biophilic Design

Learn how you can incorporate Biophilic Design into your spaces.
Interface Ferris plank carpet tile and Interface Ridge LVT in a casual dining area

Products to Support Your Biophilic Spaces

All of our products can be used to support your biophilic space, depending on which biophilic principle you are designing with. Here are some of our products where the pattern is based upon natural colours and textures.