Plants as Enhancers of the Indoor Environment

Abstract

Sixty-four subjects (32 men and 32 women) evaluated environmental quality and thermal comfort in a 2 − 2 design involving 2 temperature conditions, 20.0°C (68°F) and 25.6°C (78°F), within a climate controlled chamber that was either decorated with plants or was devoid of plants. The results showed that on a scale developed for measuring Occupied Space Quality, a higher rating accompanied the condition in which plants were used to enhance the environment than the condition in which no plants were used. The plants, however, did not affect the subjective thermal responses.

Nature Contacts

“…Employees reported better mood levels, increased perceived office attractiveness, and improved comfort when plants were present (Larsen, Adams, Deal, Kweon, & Tyler, 1998). Follow-up studies revealed similar results (Firth-Cozens, 1998; Hartig, Mang, & Evans, 1991; Kaplan, 1983; Laviana, 1985; Ulrich & Parsons, 1992).…”

“…One study conducted by Bringslimark, Hartig, and Patil (2007) revealed a statistically reliable association between the number of indoor plants proximal to a worker's desk and sick leave and productivity. Another study concluded that plants have a significantly positive effect on a person's feelings and assessment of the indoor living environment (Laviana, 1983). Employees reported better mood levels, increased perceived office attractiveness, and improved comfort when plants were present (Larsen, Adams, Deal, Kweon, & Tyler, 1998).…”

Energy and Psychology: Designing for a “State of Mind”

“…For instance, a number of investigators have looked at the effects of color (see Fanger, 1970) and plants (Laviana, Mattson, and Rohles, 1983) on thermal comfort. Neither color nor plants have been found to produce physical sensations of coolness or warmth.…”

The Effects of a Forest Therapy on Work-Related Stress for Employees in the Manufacturing Industry: Randomized Control Study

“…19,20 Greenery and plants in the workplace reported as contributing factors improving the quality of the workplace environment and maintaining positive emotional states. 21 Moreover, it was reported that employees working in environments with accesses to nature had lower work-related stress and higher job satisfaction compared to those working in environments without nature access. 22 In studies wherein the differences in the effects of exercise conducted in urban and natural environments were examined in detail, it was reported that stress decreased when exercise was conducted in a natural environment, as this led to activation of the parasympathetic nerve functions, which in turn caused a physical relaxation effect.…”