The question of this week has been “What are your plans for the fourth?” The fourth of July holiday in the States is premier vacation time. Kids are out of school, the temps are typically warm but not sweltering and we relish the great outdoors. As we surround ourselves with colorful sunsets on smooth-like-glass lakes or toast marshmallows over cozy bonfires the stress of the office melts away. Recent studies show that incorporating natural elements in interior wall designs in offices, healthcare facilities, and higher education can emote similar well being responses as when we immerse ourselves in nature.
Human responses to natural elements in the built environment are similar to when we’re in nature.
Canadian Research Center FPInnovations compiled a report indicating the benefits of adding wood to interior spaces. Wood as a Restorative Material in Healthcare Environments focuses on healthcare environments but can easily be applied to other residential and commercial interior spaces. Participants experienced reduced stress, improved well being and a plethora of physical and physiological benefits when they were exposed to natural materials. Previous blog articles cite studies on the benefits of daylighting including synchronized circadian rhythms and enhanced productivity with the use of demountable interior glass wall partitions. From wood, water, natural light, plants, nature views and sounds of nature, natural elements in interior commercial environments offer large returns in productivity and improved health for the occupants. Incorporating natural elements in interior wall designs and commercial spaces promotes sustainability while increasing workplace satisfaction and productivity.
Examples of Natural Elements in Interior Wall Designs:
- glass – try embedding natural elements in glass!
- wood – hard wood, bamboo, etc.
- grasses
- stone – rocks, slate, granite, etc.
- water features
- and other organic materials
NxtWall’s View demountable walls are a cost-effective solution for popular moveable interior glass walls. Used in many corporate office construction for conference rooms and offices View glass demountable walls are also installed frequently in higher education settings. From student lounges to administrative offices glass walls are a commercial interior design trend that’s not fading anytime soon. Some of the benefits of glass demountable walls include daylighting, reduced waste, sustainable reuse and recycling of components at the end of use.
Our Flex demountable wall series is an open palette for creative types. NxtWall Flex interior wall series lets you add natural elements in interior wall designs that are limited only by your imagination. Did you find petoskey stones on your Pure Michigan adventure, sea shells in the Florida Keys, driftwood off the Atlantic shore? The natural elements discovered during your explorations can be incorporated into demountable wall panels. Reap the rewards of nature and bring them back into the office for all to enjoy.
Enjoy your visits to the lakes and streams this summer. Leave the stress of the office behind and get inspired to incorporate that vacation feeling into your next commercial interior design. Maybe the inhabitants of the administrative offices at Michigan State University or the other top 10 universities NxtWall products have been installed in won’t break out into Kumbaya every morning but they’ll likely have less stress and enjoy coming into work more!
Contact us for more information on the best demountable wall series for your next commercial project. Test us with your creativity – we love to showcase unique material uses of our Flex walls!