A randomised field experiment to test the restorative properties of purpose-built biophilic “regeneration pods”

Abstract

Purpose: There has been limited investigation into how ‘biophilic design’ (i.e., the integration of nature within the built environment) can be effectively used within the workplace to facilitate the process of psychological restoration. This study focused in particular on the effectiveness of biophilic “restoration pods” in promoting recovery from stress. Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomised field experiment was conducted. Thirty-two employees from a participating organisation completed two tests replicating typical office work (proofreading and arithmetic) and subjective ratings of stress, anxiety, and task-load both before and after a 10-minute micro-break, taken in either the regeneration pods (treatment group) or an ordinary meeting room (control group). Findings: The results showed that participants who took their break in the regeneration pod reported lower post-break anxiety and perceived task-load, and higher postbreak arithmetic task performance, than the control group. Practical implications: The findings suggest that purpose-built spaces for restoration within office buildings will be effective for helping employees to proactively manage their stress levels whilst at work. Biophilic design principles will enhance the effectiveness of these spaces, and this does not necessarily need to involve direct exposure to plants or views of nature. Originality/Value: To our knowledge, this is the first randomised field experiment to test the effectiveness of a purpose-built space for restoration within offices. Additionally, the study explores biophilic design strategies which had previously received limited attention in the research literature.