‍The Challenge of Modern Transit Spaces
Transportation hubs such as airports, train stations, and bus terminals are often characterized by stress, anxiety, and sensory overload. These high-traffic environments, designed primarily for efficiency, can feel cold and unwelcoming to travelers. However, the integration of biophilic design principles, particularly using preserved gardens and moss walls, offers a thoughtful way to transform these spaces into more pleasant and calming environments, especially since maintaining living plants in these settings presents significant challenges.

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By incorporating natural elements without the upkeep demands of live greenery, transportation hubs can soften the experience of travel, creating spaces that not only facilitate movement but also support well-being. This approach aligns with the growing recognition of how our surroundings influence mental state and overall journey satisfaction.

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Biophilic Solutions for High-Traffic Areas
Preserved moss walls and gardens present an effective way to introduce nature into transportation hubs. Unlike living plants, which require constant care and can struggle in artificial environments, preserved nature elements offer a low-maintenance, long-lasting green presence. These installations hold up well in high-traffic areas while consistently providing the psychological benefits of biophilic design.

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Moreover, the versatility of preserved nature allows for creative applications that can address multiple challenges in transit environments. From noise reduction to wayfinding, these natural elements can be strategically incorporated to enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of transportation hubs, creating more welcoming and enjoyable spaces for travelers and staff alike.

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Creating Calm Amidst Chaos
One of the primary benefits of biophilic design in transportation hubs is its ability to carve out moments of calm within otherwise chaotic environments. Large-scale preserved gardens in waiting areas or preserved moss walls along corridors can serve as visual anchors, providing soothing natural views that help reduce stress and anxiety. These green installations offer travelers a brief yet meaningful connection with nature, promoting a sense of relaxation amidst the rush of transit.

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The presence of natural elements has been shown to lower heart rates and blood pressure, effectively countering the physiological stress responses triggered in busy transit environments. By thoughtfully placing preserved nature installations throughout the hub, designers can create a journey of biophilic touchpoints, ensuring that travelers have frequent opportunities to experience nature, even in the most unlikely places.

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Some transportation hubs and aviation projects are already embracing this concept on a grand scale. For example, Nashville International Airport (BNA) features two of the largest preserved gardens in the world, designed and installed by Garden on the Wall^®. This four-time award-winning installation provides a distinctive, calming presence while seamlessly integrating into the airport’s overall aesthetic and wayfinding strategy. Beyond their visual and psychological benefits, these gardens are backed by 16 third-party credentials and comply with VOC standards, ensuring they meet the highest environmental and health benchmarks.

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Enhancing Wayfinding and Spatial Recognition
Navigation in large transportation hubs and aviation projects can be challenging and disorienting for travelers. Biophilic design elements, such as distinctive preserved gardens or moss walls, can serve as memorable landmarks, aiding in wayfinding and spatial recognition. By associating different areas of the hub with unique natural features, passengers can more easily orient themselves and navigate complex layouts.

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This natural approach to wayfinding not only improves the functional aspects of the space but also contributes to a more intuitive and less stressful travel experience. The use of preserved nature in this context demonstrates how biophilic design can seamlessly blend aesthetic, psychological, and practical benefits in transportation environments.

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Improving Air Quality Perception
While preserved plants do not actively filter air like their living counterparts, they play a crucial role in improving the perceived air quality in transportation hubs. The presence of greenery, even in preserved form, has been shown to positively influence people's perception of air quality and overall environmental health. This psychological effect can significantly enhance passenger comfort and satisfaction.

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Additionally, the natural textures and varied surfaces of preserved moss walls and gardens can help to absorb sound, reducing the perceived noise levels in echoing terminal spaces. This combination of improved air quality perception and noise reduction contributes to creating a more pleasant sensory environment for travelers, mitigating some of the common stressors associated with transit hubs.

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Oxymoron in Transportation Hubs and Aviation Projects

The use of faux greenery in transportation hubs, airports, and transit stations contradicts their focus on efficiency, sustainability, and human wellness. High foot traffic in these spaces necessitates enhanced air quality measures, yet artificial plants offer no benefits—collecting dust, degrading air quality, and undermining health and safety efforts. Additionally, the sustainability paradox is evident, as the transportation industry seeks to reduce its environmental footprint while incorporating plastic plants made from petroleum-based materials that contribute to pollution and waste.

Beyond environmental concerns, faux plants fail to provide the psychological and physiological benefits of authentic greenery. Studies show that people respond more positively to real plants, while artificial greenery does little to reduce stress or enhance mood. Instead of fostering a true connection to nature, they create an illusion that ultimately falls short. Transportation hubs should prioritize real, preserved, or sustainably sourced greenery to support wellness, environmental responsibility, and human-centric design.

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Fostering a Sense of Place
Transportation hubs often serve as gateways to cities or regions, and biophilic design can play a crucial role in creating a strong sense of place. By incorporating preserved plants and natural elements that reflect the local ecology, these spaces can offer travelers an immediate connection to their destination. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the hub but also begins the process of cultural immersion from the moment of arrival.

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For example, a preserved garden or moss wall featuring plants native to the region can serve as an educational and welcoming feature, introducing travelers to the local environment. This integration of local natural elements through preserved installations allows transportation hubs to become more than just transition spaces, transforming them into meaningful representations of their locales.

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Preserved gardens can help transportation hubs and aviation create a stronger connection to their surroundings, offering travelers a sense of place from the moment they arrive. Garden on the Wall^® works with designers to integrate natural elements like preserved gardens and moss walls that reflect regional landscapes, enhancing both aesthetics and the overall travel experience.

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Addressing Implementation Challenges
While the benefits of biophilic design in transportation hubs are clear, implementation can face several challenges. Security concerns, maintenance requirements, and the need for durability in high-traffic areas must all be carefully considered. Preserved nature installations offer solutions to many of these issues, providing the benefits of biophilic design without compromising on the practical needs of transit environments.

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Collaboration between designers, transit authorities, and preserved nature specialists is crucial to developing solutions that meet both the aesthetic and functional requirements of these complex spaces. By leveraging the expertise of each group, it’s possible to create biophilic installations that are not only beautiful and beneficial but also practical and long-lasting in the demanding environment of transportation hubs.

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The Future of Transit Design
As we look to the future, the integration of biophilic design in transportation hubs is likely to become increasingly sophisticated. We may see the development of interactive preserved nature installations that respond to passenger flow or time of day, creating dynamic environments that adapt to the changing needs of travelers. The use of technology in conjunction with preserved natural elements could offer personalized, nature-inspired experiences that further enhance the journey.

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Moreover, as sustainable design practices continue to evolve, the use of preserved nature in transit spaces may expand to include more diverse applications, such as energy-generating moss walls or preserved gardens. These innovations would allow transportation hubs to not only provide psychological benefits to travelers but also actively contribute to environmental sustainability goals, such as planter inserts on a horizontal levels greenery or draping plants crafted with preserved foliage.

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For more information on this subject and other related information, please visit our website: www.gardenonthewall.com