Oases of Calm: Transforming Travel Hubs with Biophilic Design

In the bustling world of transportation, where millions of travelers navigate the complex web of airports, train stations, and bus terminals daily, stress has become an unwelcome companion. As we witness air travel and interstate journeys rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, the need for tranquil, human-centered spaces within these hubs has never been more critical. Enter biophilic design - a revolutionary approach that's reshaping the traveler's experience by bringing the calming essence of nature indoors.

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The Modern Traveler’s Dilemma

Today's travelers face a gauntlet of challenges. From navigating expansive terminals and checking luggage to enduring rigorous security screenings, the journey often begins with stress long before takeoff. Add to this the lingering specters of pandemic concerns - mask considerations, new virus strains, and the anxiety of shared spaces - and you have a recipe for heightened tension.

As we step into the winter of 2024, with new COVID variants emerging, the stress of travel reaches new heights. Travelers must remain vigilant, often operating at peak alertness to ensure smooth passage to their destinations. This constant state of high alert takes a toll, elevating stress levels far beyond the typical baseline.

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Biophilic Design: Nature’s Antidote to Travel Stress

Recognizing the need for calming environments, forward-thinking designers are turning to biophilic design principles. This approach, which integrates natural elements into built environments, offers a powerful tool for reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.

At the heart of biophilic design is the use of greenery and natural elements. Plants, in particular, have been shown to have a profound impact on human psychology, reducing stress, improving mood, and even enhancing cognitive function. For travel hubs, where quick thinking and calm demeanors are essential, these benefits are invaluable.

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The Challenge of Living Plants in Transportation Hubs

While the benefits of incorporating plants into these spaces are clear, the practical challenges of maintaining living greenery in high-traffic, climate-controlled environments are significant. Issues of maintenance, water usage, and potential pest infestations make live plants a less­ than-ideal solution for many transportation facilities. With that, many transportation hubs steer clear from using these nature elements.

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The Artificial Plants Alternative: A Misguided Approach

In an attempt to capture the aesthetic benefits of plants without the maintenance headaches, some facilities have turned to artificial greenery. The recently opened Newark Airport Terminal A serves as a cautionary tale, where plastic plants, while initially appealing, quickly succumbed to dust accumulation and a lackluster appearance.

Moreover, the use of artificial plants in biophilic design is fundamentally flawed. As explored in our blog posts "The Biophilic Deception" and "Faux Plants and Biophilia: Match Made in Where?", these synthetic alternatives fail to provide the true benefits of biophilia. Worse still, they can negatively impact on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) by off-gassing chemicals and attracting dust due to their electrostatic properties.

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The concept of using plastic or other petrochemical by products to represent nature is, in essence, an oxymoron. Our psyche does not register these artificial elements as natural, nullifying any potential psychological benefits of biophilic design.

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Preserved Gardens: The Ideal Solution for Transportation Hubs

Enter preserved plants and moss gardens -the perfect amalgamation of nature's beauty and modern practicality. These preserved natural elements offer the visual and psychological benefits of live plants without the drawbacks of maintenance or the artificiality of faux alternatives.

Preserved greenery maintains the look and feel of living plants, tapping into our innate biophilia - our natural affinity for nature. By incorporating these elements, transportation hubs can create spaces that genuinely reduce stress and promote a sense of calm among travelers.

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Success Stories: Biophilia in Action

Nashville International Airport (BNA) stands as a shining example of successful biophilic integration in a transportation hub. Working in collaboration with the Corgan teams and the BNA art curating team, Garden on the Wall^® installed two of the world's largest preserved gardens in the airport's grand lobby. Hovering above the security area, these stunning installations offer a breath of fresh air to passengers during the often-stressful security check process.

Learning from BNA's success, other airports are following suit. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has incorporated free­ standing garden furniture from Garden on the Wall. Meanwhile, Asheville Regional Airport is set to unveil another large preserved garden installation, again entrusted to Garden on the Wall^® - recognized as the world's most experienced, tested, and trusted preserved garden provider, offering the highest longevity and lowest cost of ownership.

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The Benefits of Preserved Gardens in Transportation Hubs

Stress Reduction: The presence of natural elements, even in preserved form, has been shown to lower cortisol levels and reduce anxiety - crucial in high-stress travel environments.

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Air Quality: Unlike artificial plants that can off-gas harmful chemicals, preserved plants are inert and don't negatively impact air quality.

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Low Maintenance: Preserved gardens require minimal to no upkeep, making them ideal for busy transportation hubs.

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Longevity: With proper care (the application of Best of Practices, such as not getting them in contact with water or liquids, keeping the air returns at least 4 feet away and so on), preserved garden installations (especially from providers with proven longevity standards like Garden on the Wall^®) can maintain their beauty for years, offering a long-term solution for biophilic design.

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Customization: Preserved gardens can be tailored to fit any space, allowing for creative and impactful designs that enhance the overall aesthetic of the facility.

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Dust Resistance: Unlike their artificial counterparts, preserved plants do not accumulate dust in the same way, maintaining their fresh appearance for longer.

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A Sustainable Approach to Biophilic Design

By choosing preserved gardens over artificial alternatives, transportation hubs not only create more effective biophilic spaces but also make a more sustainable choice. The longevity of preserved installations reduces the need for frequent replacements, while their natural origin aligns more closely with environmental sustainability goals.

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Conclusion: Transforming Travel Experience

As we navigate the complexities of modern travel, the importance of creating calming, human-centered spaces within our transportation hubs cannot be overstated. Biophilic design, particularly using preserved gardens, offers a powerful tool for transforming these often-stressful environments into oases of calm.

By embracing preserved natural elements, airports, train stations, and bus terminals can provide travelers with spaces that not only look beautiful but actively contribute to reducing stress and improving overall well-being. As more facilities follow the lead of successful implementations like those at BNA and Sea-Tac, we can look forward to a future where the journey is as rejuvenating as the destination.

In this era of renewed travel and ongoing health concerns, the integration of nature through preserved gardens stands as a beacon of innovation in design - one that promises to make our travels not just safer, but more enjoyable and less stressful for years to come. As we continue to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of travelers, the role of biophilic design in transportation hubs will undoubtedly grow, creating more harmonious and health-promoting spaces for all. The future of travel looks greener, calmer, and more in tune with our innate need for nature, thanks to the thoughtful application of preserved gardens in our bustling travel hubs.

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

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