Good for the mind: how biophilic design prompts sustainable action

It’s nice to see the evidence continue to grow that biophilic design benefits not only our minds and bodies but also the health of the planet. A growing body of academic research suggests that the simple act of designing with nature in mind, or spending time in spaces that do, nudges people toward more sustainable behavior.

A 2026 literature review by Alsarhan and Mahmoud identified the tie between biophilic design and an assortment of desirable outcomes in education, healthcare, residential, hospitality and commercial settings, as well as to sustainable behaviour. The research team found that ‘biophilic design strategies… enhance wellbeing and support sustainable development through improved spatial quality and user comfort.’

Natural light, greenery, water features, and good ventilation were consistently tied to lower stress, better mood, and a more favorable read on the surrounding environment. Across each setting there were distinct benefits including  sharper focus in educational settings, quicker recovery in hospitals, richer guest experiences (and better margins) in hospitality, and greater comfort and emotional wellbeing in residential settings. The researchers were careful to note that culture, climate, and economics all shape how well biophilic design actually works, citing that biophilic design is a ‘practical and evidence-based approach for creating healthy, resilient, and sustainable built environments’.

The case for the office

Workplaces may be where this research has the most immediate payoff. Yadav and Siddiqui’s 2024 study looked at corporate environments layered with greenery, daylight, and natural materials, designed to echo the outdoors. The research duo found that ‘biophilic design elements contribute to enhanced wellbeing, increased productivity, and greater job satisfaction among employees in corporate environments.’

The research also highlights the potential of biophilic design to support G20 goals related to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, providing valuable insights for organisations seeking to optimise their human resource productivity and align with global sustainability initiatives.

Hilbert and colleagues’ work arrived at a similar place in 2024, framing biophilic design as a genuine sustainability strategy. Through this study the researchers recommend that natural environments are selected, preserved, and created. For example, organisations should choose natural settings for company retreats and wellness activities, protect existing green space, and actively make their buildings greener through living roofs, natural facades, real wood instead of synthetic finishes.

It’s not just what you see, but what you hear

Not all biophilic design is visual. A 2016 retail study by Spendrup, Unter, and Isgren’s links hearing nature sounds and sustainable behaviour. The researchers share that ‘Nature sounds are increasingly used by some food retailers to enhance in-store ambiance and potentially even influence sustainable food choices.’ The research showed that ‘nature sounds might be an effective, yet subtle in-store tool to use on groups of consumers who might otherwise respond negatively to more overt forms of sustainable food information.’

A 2021 study by Cole, Coleman, and Scannell’s work links biophilic design with the potential to overcome challenges associated with sustainable design. The research found that some green buildings can actually detract from the formation of place attachment. Open floor plans, natural ventilation, and hard surfaces – all common in sustainable architecture – tend to negatively imapct speech privacy, which can chip away at productivity and occupants’ sense of belonging.

Place attachment can enhance short-term individual wellbeing and quality of life, and can increase pro-environmental behaviours and community resilience. To enhance place attachment for occupants, the researchers suggest that designers should include more connections to nature. This support for physical and psychological human wellbeing, together with design that enhances positive social practices within buildings, could result in places that better sustain both people and natural environments.

Across five studies the findings consistently show that biophilic design isn’t just an aesthetic choice or an employee perk. It’s a measurable driver of the kind of environmentally responsible behaviour that sustainability goals actually depend on. The evidence continues to show that the built environment has a real, tangible role to play in building a greener mindset.

Sources:

Maha Alsarhan and Khawola Mahmoud. 2026. “Biophilic Design in Theory and Practice: Human Well-Being and Sustainable Development Across Building Typologies.” Architecture Image Studies, vol. 7, pp. 2369-2392, https://doi.org/10.62754/ais.v7i1.1225

Laura Cole, Sylvia Coleman, and Leila Scannell.  2021. “Place Attachment in Green Buildings:  Making the Connections.”  Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol. 74, 101558, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101558

Micha Hilbert, Carmen Binnewies, and Laura Berkemeyer. 2024. “Synergies Between Recovery from Work and Restorative Environments for Sustainable Development: An Integrative Theoretical Perspective.” Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation, vol 55, pp. 201-207, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-024-00736-6

Sara Spendrup, Erik Unter, and Ellinor Isgren.  2016. “Exploring the Relationship Between Nature Sounds, Connectedness to Nature, Mood and Willingness to Buy Sustainable Food:  A Retail Field Experiment.”  Appetite, vol. 100, pp. 133-141.

Megha Yadav and Badruzzama Siddiqui. 2024. “Do Biophilic Design Elements Impact Human Resource Productivity in a Corporate Environment?” 2024 ASU International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems (ICETSIS), DOI: 10.1109/ICETSIS61505.2024.10459437