Biophilic design in Yoga and Wellness Studios

Health and wellness are front and center of professional and personal conversations in almost every part of the world as the pandemic continues to redefine work and lifestyle decisions. Achieving a sustainable, healthy work-life integration in the post-pandemic world is an overarching concern as workers of all ages consider returning to offices and workplaces.

Not surprisingly, the wellness industry is often at the frontline of addressing many of these concerns. Valued at over $4.5 trillion, the global wellness economy has continued to show robust growth during the pandemic, and projections are for more of the same for the next 5 years as the world works to rebalance and transition to new life and work patterns. Key sectors in this growth industry include:

  • Fitness and Mind-Body
  • Meditation and Mindfulness
  • Preventative and Personalized Health
  • Spa Economy
  • Workplace Wellness.

The Spa Economy alone, for example, is projected to reach $128 billion by 2022, with the top 5 markets driving most of that growth: the United States, China, Germany, Japan, and France.

Trying to take advantage of this projected growth, spa and studio owners are always looking for innovative design ideas to set them apart from the crowd. Recent studies have shown that focusing on the following design opportunities can have a

Eco-Friendly Building Materials

As we have detailed in previous blogs, the applied practices associated with green design have come a long way in the past decade. Gone are the days of a few straggly low-maintenance plants scattered around the studios as a half-hearted commitment to a healthy workplace environment. Today, the trend is to toward a much more holistic integration of as many benefits of nature as possible, from interior walls transformed by greenery and cascading natural light to full and flourishing rooftop gardens.

Drawing on the ancient architectural and design concept known as biophilia, the goal of this emphasis on integrating nature into wellness studios is clear: creating an environment that supports the emotional, psychological, and physical wellness of all guests.

As the Pilgrimage of the Heart blog suggests:

Nowadays, yoga studio visitors are highly conscious about preserving the environment and stay up to date on eco-friendly trends. It has become increasingly important to invest in sustainable options when designing a studio, such as bamboo, linoleum, natural stone, and other recycled materials. Yoga students want to be in a space that has been curated according to environmental best practices, but they also want to experience the ambiance of nature.

Made from a 100 percent natural product, preserved using natural oils, preserved moss is a relatively maintenance-free, cost-effective way to integrate nature into any studio space. Preserved moss products also provide natural acoustic dampening, reducing invasive noise levels (both internal and external) that studies have identified as one of the primary sources of stress within shared environments. According to researchers from the Centre for Architectural Ecology at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), preserved moss combined with ezoBord backing has a sound absorption value (AW) of 0.96. This number means that a preserved moss acoustic panel absorbs sound at the same rate as a standard office carpet with underlay.

 

Natural, Tranquil Colours

Designers recommend that “When it comes to finding the perfect color palette for your yoga studio, consider not only branding, but the type of atmosphere students are looking for when entering a yoga studio.” Studios often make the mistake of focusing on vibrant colors that work against a wellness focus on peace and clarity. The best alternative: “Try using light pastel shades and natural earthy tones which positively affect everyone’s mood and energy during yoga practice.”

Available in a range of hues that help designers create an interior color palette that emphasizes the beneficial greens and blues, which trigger emotional responses like calm, peacefulness, and tranquility. As a unique design feature, preserved moss products can be used in a single-moss accent wall or combined into a custom moss installation that creates repetitions and patterns that mimic those found in the natural world.

A Focus on Greenery

As the Pilgrimage blog notes, “these days, you certainly won’t find a modern yoga studio without loads of greenery. Greenery helps tie the design concept together and aligns with the philosophy of creating a healthy sanctuary and holistic connectedness. Made from 100-percent natural moss cultivated and harvested according to ecological best practices, Quiet Earth Moss is preserved with natural oil that ensures the moss appears alive and maintains a natural appearance for years to come. Our moss is also non-allergenic, requires no watering, and is perfect for areas of a studio that has no natural light. Additionally, Quiet Earth Moss uses ezoBord backing, made from recycled plastic bottles, so it is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

And installers love Quiet Earth Moss custom-framed pieces. Screw your custom-framed moss wall art directly to drywall or plywood, or have it suspended from the ceiling. Weighing as little as 1.5 pounds per square foot, these custom pieces are a fraction of the weight of a living plant installation and require no special infrastructure for light or watering.

Conclusion

As British designer Oliver Heath has noted, “biophilic design creates spaces that are inspirational.” As the wellness industry continues to flourish in the post-pandemic world, design elements will be increasingly important in differentiating a studio from its competitors. Contact Quiet Earth Moss today to help you create the brand and studio ambiance that keeps clients coming back.