Biophilic Design

Many of you might be thinking - what the heck is Biophilic Design?

To be honest, we didn’t know what it was either, at least not by name. But we’ve been inspired by natural elements incorporated into buildings and product design.

By definition, Biophilic Design refers to architecture and design that incorporates things like natural light and materials, vertical gardens, natural scents and other things aimed at strengthening the human-nature connection.

This isn’t exactly a new trend. It’s been known for quite a while that humans are innately drawn to the natural world. Even though the majority of us have given up our forest based roots for the concrete jungle, being close to nature still fulfills something in us we can’t describe. This is why so many successful companies have at least some element of Biophilic design in their offices. It can improve everything from worker happiness and creativity, to the bottom line.

The Natural Canopy Ceiling at the Hudson New York

What is new however is the way many industries are starting to work with Biophilic elements to improve guests satisfaction. For years natural elements in the hospitality industry were limited to guest-rooms with a nice view of the ocean or a local park. The impact of this is immediately felt, as RevPAR is up to 18% more for rooms with a view.

But now many properties are looking beyond ocean views and focusing on how they can bring natural elements into the interior design and architecture. For example, The Westin Buffalo, built in the heart of downtown, uses earthy colors, artwork that reflects nature, and has a lobby lined with greenery. The Hudson New York brings the environment of nearby central park to the bar and lobby - creating a canopy ceiling.

Other ways properties are incorporating Biophilia into hotel design includes wood flooring, outdoor lounging, and one of my favorites - the “Living Wall” such as the one at the Embassy Suites in Denton Texas.

Whether it’s a small boutique property or a massive urban skyscraper, there’s plenty of ways to create a beautiful and one of a kind environment that keeps guests coming back.

The “Living Wall” at the Embassy Suites Denton

More than Just “Looking Cool”

According to the Human Space 2.0 Report, Biophilic design is a strong factor in creating a unique and memorable guest experience. Being surrounded by natural elements counteracts stressors related to urban environments, and helps guests recharge from travel complications that plague new arrivals.

Creating a unique and memorable guest experience cannot be overstated. In a world where social media influencers are increasingly creating demand for hotels, it’s crucial to make sure your hotel is always “instagram ready.” Nothing screams “Share this with your followers” more than an outdoor hotel bar with a ceiling made of trees.

Other benefits of Biophilic design in hotels include:

36% more guests spent time in Biophilic hotel spaces versus non-biophilic spaces.
Hotels with Biophilic designs are 50% more likely to attract people who aren’t guests to their restaurant/lobby
Rooms that utilize large windows to offer their guests better views, an element of Biophilic design, can generate up to 15% more revenue on average.
Guests are twice as likely to leave a review for a property that utilizes Biophilic design

Hotels can differentiate themselves and gain a leg up on the competition by incorporating natural elements into their design strategy. Whether it’s something as extravagant as a living wall, or as simple as adding more wood to the lobby, hotels that invest in Biophilic Design are more likely to have satisfied and loyal guests.

Combining Technology and Biophilic Design

We want our product design to complement the environment of the room. Technology products with their functional, safety and durability concerns make it challenging to integrate natural materials. But we’re inspired nonetheless to find opportunities to evoke natural materials and to integrate fluidly with room decor.

Wood texture is a finish that we’re featuring as an option on all of our designs. And we’re continuing to develop products that utilize other Biophilic elements, such as marble and stone, to evolve with the diverse and ever expanding hospitality design space. Technology is an integral part of our everyday life, it’s only natural to integrate into the room’s environment too.