Author: Emma Robertson

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Noise reduction: Moss Walls vs Acoustic Panels

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date October 3, 2022

During a recent CPD session, we were asked by an interior designer how the sound absorption qualities of Nordik Moss compares with other acoustic materials. This was an interesting question to raise and one which we have yet to see explicitly addressed anywhere else. We felt we could write a whole blog on the subject – so that’s exactly what we’ve done.

In this blog we explain how the acoustic qualities of materials can be measured and compared, as well as considering the wider value of installing a moss wall in your space.

There are lots of reasons for wanting to improve the acoustics in your interior: so you can create a more productive office space, a more intimate dining experience at your restaurant, or perhaps even a more relaxing atmosphere for customers to browse in your shop.

As you compare options to address the noise challenges in your space, one of the most important numbers to familiarise yourself with is the NRC rating.

NRC ratings explained

The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is a representation of the decay rate of sound, or how much sound is absorbed by an object or surface, compared to that rate in a standard reverberant room without the object or surface in it. While most often applied to specific materials, such as panels specifically designed to improve the acoustics of a space, every material can be given an NRC rating, ranging from 0 to 1.0. In some cases, materials may achieve NRC values greater than 1.00. This is a shortcoming of the test procedure and a limitation of how acousticians define a square unit of absorption, and not a characteristic of the material itself.

Typically, NRC ratings are viewed as a percentage. For example, a material with an NRC rating of 0.60 means 60% of the sound energy which comes into contact with that specific material is absorbed, and the remaining 40% is reflected back into the room to create noise.

Materials with coefficients of 0.50 and above are generally classified as “sound absorbing”, while those with coefficients of 0.20 and below are “sound reflecting”. Generally, we can perceive the difference between two materials where the sound absorption coefficient values differ by a value of at least 0.1.

How Noise Reduction Coefficients are calculated

There are several methods used to determine NRCs, but one of the most common is the ASTM Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption.

To test NRCs using this method, a special sound test lab room that’s been designed specifically for measuring sound absorption is used. The room is fitted with a microphone and equipment that measures sound frequencies.

To begin the test, an initial measurement is taken by transmitting a noise signal into the room and measuring how much sound was absorbed.
Then, once the initial measurement has been taken, the product is again placed in that same test lab and its sound absorption is measured at four different frequencies.
Once those measurements are taken and averaged together, the NRC is calculated by rounding off to the nearest 0.05.

NRC rating: Acoustic Panels vs Moss Walls

Before we take a look at their respective NRC ratings, it is important to acknowledge that whilst NRCs provide a good indication of a materials absorption performance, overall absorption performance cannot be determined by the NRC alone.

Acoustical Surfaces explain this best using the example of carpets which have a relatively low NRC rating (0.15-0.30) but often cover an entire floor and therefore have a large influence on reducing sound reflection strength within a room. Despite this, carpet alone is usually not enough to reduce echo and reverberation to a desirable level, and it is not always be feasible to use in an environment like a gymnasium or classroom.

Acoustic panels typically have an NRC rating between 0.85 and 1.00, depending on the quality of the material used and its density.

Moss walls typically rate around 0.70 but there are some varieties that perform much better than others. Reindeer moss has been proven to reduce noise levels by up to 10dB with an absorption rating of 0.96. This moss is dense and tightly packed making it ideal for improving acoustics in any interior environment.

Beyond The Acoustics

When considering products with similar NRC scores, it is worthwhile to consider which will provide the most overall value in your space.

As businesses tackle the problem of trying to get workers back in the office, the cost-of-living crisis places added pressure on already stretched hospitality industry and the high street continues to struggle – spaces need to feel inspiring more than ever.

The design possibilities with Nordik Moss are endless. You can frame it like a picture, transform a whole wall, or even incorporate it into furniture. We can create patterns, words, or logos, on flat, contoured or 3D surfaces, and you can choose from a beautiful spectrum of colours. Whatever your vision, our team can put it on the wall, or even on wheels, for all to see.

Nordik Moss is a preserved natural product. It doesn’t grow, so you do not have to worry about watering, trimming, or sunlight. Just sit back and enjoy. Plus, it’s fire safe, resistant to discolouration and hypoallergenic. And if your Nordik Moss ever needs a little refurbishment, we can provide a speedy one-off repair service.

Nordik Moss includes a range of different natural mosses to choose from. It’s a sustainable material, harvested by hand from the forest floor, and is 100% biodegradable. We then preserve it using natural minerals, to stop it growing and maintain its fresh look.

Summary

Acoustic panels and moss walls are both great options for treating your space, but if you are looking for something a little more versatile which will give you more ‘bang for your buck’- moss walls could be the ideal solution.

Our teams carefully craft your bespoke moss installations by hand, tuft by tuft, to bring your vision to life. With its flexibility and longevity, Nordik Moss can be used in just about any interior space. It is light weight and easy to install, with no complex wall structures required.

Get in Touch

To chat with a member of our team in more detail about the acoustic needs for your space or to obtain a free quotation, call us today on 01324 861300.

Additional Resources

Check out our previous blog which looks at the wider question of how to use plants to improve acoustics in interior design.
We also previously answered Interior Designers most common questions about Moss Walls here
See examples of Moss walls we have successfully installed in a variety on industries
Learn more about Nordik Moss by Benholm
Click here to download our free Nordik Moss brochure
Video: Benholm Group – The Nordik Moss Green Walls Story
CPD Training: We regularly provide CPD (Continuous Professional Development) training to help you understand everything you need to know about Biophilic Design and its benefits to health and wellbeing. Sessions are primarily focused on Interior Designers; however, our course may also be appropriate for many professionals who want to understand this topic in more depth, including HR, management, building management or events management. Our signature course is called “Using plants to support biophilic design” and this can be tailored to suit your organisation. Our seminars and webinars are free of charge and can be booked here.

News

Benholm to close for HM Queen Elizabeth II State Funeral

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date September 14, 2022

On Monday 19th September we will join the rest of the nation to remember Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

To mark The Queen’s funeral and to allow us the opportunity to pay our respects, we will be closed.

We will reopen as normal on Tuesday 20th September. Thank you for your understanding.

Blog

Biophilic Design Study: Initial Results

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date September 13, 2022

We are delighted to share some initial findings from our recent collaboration pioneering research study on The Value of Biophilic Design.

Research Question

How can designers communicate and evidence the value of well-being to their clients and inform decision-making?

Background

Biophilic design aims to create places where occupants connect with the natural environment. In the context of workplaces, there has been growing interest in these design strategies as they have been demonstrated to have a strong association with employees’ wellbeing.

Extensive research has shown its restorative and stimulating effects on people’s emotions and life satisfaction, however, biophilic design is still being seen as an expenditure rather than an investment.

Evidencing good quality spatial and environmental design with a tangible financial proxy can become a driver to aid commercial decision-making; it is vital that investors can understand the co-benefits of these design strategies in the briefing and budget planning stage.

This study explored ways to link the economic value to the benefits of biophilic design. It investigated the potential of monetising well-being outcomes with Social Value methodologies and how spatial designers can evidence and communicate the benefits of biophilia.

Scenarios

Three different physical environments were introduced to the participants to spend their working day throughout the study.

The scenarios were designed to represent non-biophilic and various biophilic environments. There were two key variables (indoor green and views out), changes were kept to a minimum to avoid too many environmental stimuli being introduced to participants

Scenario 1: a cubicle-like workspace, i.e., a non-biophilic environment with no views out (windows with blinds).
Scenario 2: a standard open-plan workspace with minimal biophilic elements in the existing workplace, such as small potted plants and views out from half-height view windows (the cill height is approximately 1 meter). This scenario represents a typical workplace.
Scenario 3&4: two biophilic workspaces (direct and indirect visual connection). More biophilic elements were applied to these two workplaces i.e. green potted plants with lush foliage was introduced to the workstations, and some were coloured plants and aromatic. The participants were relocated next to a full-height window with dual aspect views out.

Data capture

The four scenarios were prepared at PLP Architecture’s Ibex House Offices in London and were used from Monday to Thursday.

Participants instant emotions were captured twice a day in a diary (morning and afternoon) and they were each equipped with a Fitbit Inspire 2 fitness wristband and an Upright Go 2 posture tracker. Their background environments were also continuously monitored through an Airthings Wave Plus IEQ sensor.

Participants were then invited to a group discussion and to complete a questionnaire on Friday to evaluate their perceived life satisfaction.

Initial Results

The initial results agree with previous research that biophilic scenarios, both subjective and objective, improve well-being compared to a non-biophilic workplace setting.

Overall, the diary results indicate that the participant of the Biophilic scenario (scenario 4) logged more positive emotions than the other scenarios over the four days.

Scenario 4 also generated the highest Net Well-being Value at £14,000 per person per year – more than double the non-biophilic cubicle scenario (£6000).

Next Steps

The preliminary insights gained from this study can support designers to make a stronger business case for biophilic design, by aligning non-tangible well-being benefits to a set of monetised values with a robust methodology that commercial decision-makers can comprehend.

A more comprehensive list of results on ‘The Value of Biophilic Design’ is expected to be published in the coming months. Keep an eye on our blog and social media where we will share them in full. 

Further resources

Watch our interview with Sustainability Lead at UK Parliament & PhD Researcher, Joyce Chan-Schoof, to discover how the participants reacted to our planting designs as part of the biophilic design of the office space, and what’s next for Joyce as she analyses the results: https://www.benholm.com/interview-with-interview-with-joyce-chan-schoof/

Learn more about Biophilic Design: www.benholm.com/biophilic-design  

Connect with Joyce Chan-Schoof: www.linkedin.com/joyce-chan-schoof 

Blog

Biophilic Design on a Budget: 6 cost-effective Biophilic Design methods

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date September 6, 2022

Despite the fancy name and elaborate examples we see online, Biophilic Design is actually a pretty accessible concept, and you don’t always need to break the bank to feel its benefits.

Biophilic design can be most simply described as bringing the benefits of the outdoors, indoors. The benefits are undeniable, providing mental, social, and physical wellbeing for building occupants. This article will look at 6 cost-effective ways to bring nature into the workplace that can be scaled to fit businesses of any size.

Natural Light

In a research poll of 1,614 North American employees, HR advisory firm Future Workplace found that access to natural light is the most desirable attribute of the workplace environment, ahead of cafeterias, gymnasiums, and on-site childcare. Unfortunately, over a third of participants reported not having enough natural light in their workplace and felt tired and gloomy as a result.

These results are unsurprising when we consider the vital role that natural light plays in regulating our circadian rhythm. Adequate exposure to natural light supports a good night’s sleep allowing higher levels of concentration and productivity throughout the day.

The easiest and cheapest way to introduce natural light into an office environment is by ensuring blinds are kept open, and minimising obstructions in front of windows. In settings where this is not possible, SAD lamps and artificial ambient lighting can be used as an alternative to natural light to mimic the passage of the day.

Sounds of Nature

Replacing the office radio with the calming sounds of nature is another budget-friendly way to engage the senses and there is an extensive list of playlists on apps like Spotify and YouTube that can be left to run all day.

According to a research review in the April 2021 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, listening to nature sounds can have profound health and well-being benefits.

For the review, the researchers looked at 18 studies investigating the health benefits of natural sound where study participants listened to recordings of outdoor sounds in laboratory settings.

Participants reported less stress and improved health outcomes, like decreased pain, after listening to recordings of nature sounds. Water sounds, such as that of a gurgling brook or a steady waterfall, tended to be the most effective in promoting a more positive mindset, while bird sounds were best for lowering stress.

The study’s lead author, Rachel Buxton, PhD, was unsurprised by the findings commenting “From an evolutionary perspective, humans are hardwired to attend to signals of danger and security. And an environment that is filled with natural sounds feels safe and allows us to let our guard down.”

Plants

Perhaps the most low-cost and high-impact biophilic design element, plants instantly transform spaces and enhance the mood of inhabitants.

Various studies have shown that including plants in workplace design can have a positive effect on perceived productivity. One report, studying 7,600 offices workers in 16 countries, found nearly two-thirds (58%) of workers have no live plants in their workspaces. Those working in environments incorporating natural elements reported a 15% higher wellbeing score and 6% higher productivity score than employees whose offices didn’t.

To preserve your investment and eliminate the need for expensive replacements, we recommend a maintenance contract. High quality maintenance produces plants which look attractive, vibrant, healthy, and thriving and this has been proven to have a positive effect on staff and visitors. Conversely, poor maintenance will result in unhealthy plants that will provide a negative effect which is damaging to staff morale, motivation, and productivity.

Scents of Nature

In 2016, Savills and The BCO surveyed 1,000 workers and found that 75% said that scent was important to them in the workplace.

When we think about design, we instinctively think of the physical attributes of the space meaning more subtle elements such as scents are often overlooked.

As the nature of the workplace continues to evolve, natural scents can play a central role in creating comforting environments which are conducive for productivity.

Popular scents such as lavender, rosemary and pine have been known to:

Improve concentration
Increase computational accuracy and speed
Enhance attention span, alertness, memory and task performance
Reduce blood pressure, anxiety and stress

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation is achieved through opening doors and windows where possible. Not only is this generally more cost effective than air conditioning systems, studies suggest employees in naturally ventilated buildings are also healthier.

Office buildings are notorious for spreading common diseases like cold and flu. Bringing fresh air into a room and removing older stale air that contains virus particles reduces the chance of spreading respiratory infections. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room.

If it’s cold outside, it still helps to open windows even slightly for short, sharp bursts regularly throughout the day to allow the air to circulate.

Biomimicry

Biophilia in the workplace does not only come in the form of physical, natural things – biomimicry is another popular way to bring some life into an office. Biomimicry is the imitation of life and the living, natural world.

Whenever we have the opportunity to interact with real, artificial or even implied sources of nature, we reap numerous psychological benefits. A 2009 study, titled The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature, found that simply viewing nature pictures improves executive attention in young adults.

In the context of an office, this may include using natural forms and colour palettes, or even murals and wallpapers which depict scenes of nature. These can be very simple ways to give a natural feel to the workplace, and it can be a very easy way to bring mundane areas of the office to life.

Implementing biophilic design may initially seem like a daunting prospect, however, at Benholm we have almost 30 years of experience in helping designers, management, and decision makers to enhance their workspaces. Get in touch to discuss your next project today.

Resources:

https://view.com/sites/default/files/documents/Future-Workplace-The-Employee-Experience.pdf

https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/why-the-sounds-of-nature-are-so-good-for-health-and-wellbeing/

https://paramountinteriors.com/blog/scents-and-sensible-office-design/

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-ventilationhttps://edgebuildings.com/office-building-windows-open/

https://www.fastcompany.com/1751527/3-office-fixes-will-increase-employee-productivity

https://www.ozoneinteriors.com/the-benefits-of-biophilic-design-in-the-workplace/

News

Benholm boost business with acquisition of Greenwood Plant Interiors

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date September 5, 2022

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Aberdeen based planting designers Greenwood Plant Interiors.

With 2023 marking 30 years of creative plant design and installation here at Benholm Group, we are thrilled to be further strengthening our company by adding the experience and knowledge from the small, but long-established team at Greenwood, as well as adding a breadth of new clients to our plant maintenance service.

This acquisition provides Benholm Group with an Aberdeen based premises, in addition to our head office in Falkirk, which will enable us to serve existing northern customers more efficiently, and to boost business by offering even more creative planting solutions to new companies.

We are also pleased to welcome Aki and Sandra to the maintenance technician team and look forward to working with existing and new customers across Scotland.

“The purchase of Greenwood Plant Interiors will allow Benholm Group to further strengthen our business in the North. We are pleased to be able to offer all customers and employees of Greenwood a seamless transition into the Benholm family”.

Adrian Byne, Marketing Manager

Tags news

Blog

Why do plants rarely feature in gyms?

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date August 22, 2022

If you ask any gym-goer their main motivations for attending the gym, most will have improving their physical and mental wellbeing at the very top of their list- both of which plants are proven to do. It is therefore surprising that more gyms don’t harness the power of plants to nourish their members and improve the overall experience they provide.

In 2017, Biofit commissioned the first scientific study into what is termed as “indoor green exercise”. Conducted by the UKActive Research Institute and University of Essex Green Exercise Group, it ran over four weeks at the Biofit pop-up gym in London with a total of 118 participants taking a natural fitness session.

Each responded to a ‘before and after’ questionnaire, with the following results:

– 75% felt less stressed after their session

– 80% reported feeling more connected to nature

– 87% found an improvement in positive mood state

– An average enjoyment level of 91/100

So, with such research available, why are plants not a commonplace feature in every gym?

In this article look at some of the main obstacles when incorporating plants in the design of a gym, and creative ways to overcome them.

Space

Space is understandably a primary concern when planning the layout of a gym. Gym equipment is normally organised in a way which maximises capacity whilst also being mindful of members safety, meaning adding natural elements can be an afterthought.

Fortunately, creative planting doesn’t necessarily have to take up valuable floor space.

We regularly design greenery specifically for walls and ceilings that could help make your gym a more enjoyable place to exercise without taking up any extra space. A green wall can come in the form on a living wall which uses real plants, an artificial green wall, or even a preserved moss wall.

Smaller, potted house plants are another great way to incorporate planting when low on space and has become increasingly popular in commercial settings in recent years. The beauty of houseplants is that you can use as little or as many as you like, and they can be used in an ad hoc fashion to fill any unused spaces where it is safe to do so. As an added bonus, many species will eliminate odours and pollutants from the air to create a more pleasant environment for exercising.

Cost

Whilst it’s true that many gyms operate just fine without plants, it is surprising how even a small investment in plants and greenery can have an amazing effect on the look and feel of a gym.

Compared with other aesthetic improvements and wellbeing initiatives, plants are a relatively low-cost solution that can have an immediate impact without any need for a prolonged period of closure. A complete transformation can be enacted in just an hour or two with the introduction of plant displays designed to suit your premises.

This has a huge advantage over a refurbishment project which is usually significantly more costly and may take weeks or months to complete – possibly even involving a period of closure.

An investment in plants has the potential to translate into increased membership, as well as retaining existing members by increasing your visibility online. It’s no secret that people love to share their trips to the gym – the #gymselfie hashtag has been used 8.9 million times alone on Instagram – and spaces filled with lush greenery and natural elements tend to be much more “sharable” than those without.

Maintenance

Another possible reason for a lack of plants in gyms is a perceived difficulty to maintain them. Gyms are filled with moving bodies and a temperature that fluctuates more than most interior environments, making the potential for damage high.

We offer a wide range of maintenance plans, all delivered to the highest standards, so your plants remain as healthy and vibrant as the day they arrived.

During our maintenance visits, we are happy to answer any questions you may have, and you can expect us to carry out a full inspection of your plants. We will also clean, feed, prune and water the plants according to their specific requirements and replace any dead, ailing or even overgrown plants at no extra cost. Should you need help or have any questions or regarding your office plants maintenance beyond our regular visits, our friendly team can be contacted for advice or to arrange a visit via email or telephone.

By changing how a gym or indeed spa looks and feels, we can increase client satisfaction and boost overall enjoyment whilst ensuring happier, healthier members who feel connected to nature. As summer draws to a close and we head into the colder, dark months, exercising outdoors is less desirable making it the perfect time to bring the outside in with plants.

We’ve created plant and floral designs for a variety of venues across the UK and you can get everything you need from us, from design to installation to maintenance. Our breadth of products, with options to suit any budget, means we can turn your ideas into reality no matter how big or small your project.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help turn your gym into a green oasis.

Resources

https://biofit.io/news/biophilic-design-in-gyms-spas

News

Research study “The Value of Biophilic Design” – Follow Up Interview

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date August 11, 2022

Following the completion of her pioneering research study into the ‘Value of Biophilic Design’ we catch up with Sustainability Lead at UK Parliament & PhD Researcher Joyce Chan-Schoof, to discover how the participants reacted to Benholm’s planting designs as part of the biophilic design of the office space, and what’s next for Joyce as she begins to analyse the results…

“We wanted to work with a biophilic specialist because it's not just about putting some plants in a space - we spent a lot of time looking at why are we picking this plant? We looked at its size, its green density and the impact on well-being."

Joyce Chan-Schoof, Sustainability Lead at UK Parliament & PhD Researcher

The following transcript is from this insightful interview!

Question 1: Hello Joyce and thanks for joining us today. Firstly, would you please give us a re-cap of your research study – why you undertook it and what your main objectives were?

We started this study because we were very curious about how the quality of biophilic design impacts on well-being in the context of the workplace environment – it’s not just the person, or absence of indoor plants, but a multi-sensory, integrated approach to design, and how does that relate to non-tangible, well-being outcomes, and to a set of monetised values? It is something quite new – the concept itself is not new, but having the joined-up thinking is what we are trying to look at, and we are really curious about the outcomes of a different scenario.

Question 2: The study took place within an office of PLP Architecture. Did you do a presentation to all the PLP staff to explain the project? What was the reaction from everyone?

Yes, we did. It was an amazing co-design exercise with a lot of creativity. We spent a lot of time brainstorming together, and although the participants were only five people within the PLP workplace, we decided that we wanted to engage with the whole office. So, we invited everyone to do a vote – because data is very rich.

We couldn’t include all 150 people in the PLP office for the main study, so we did the in-depth study with a smaller section, and then made the whole officer aware of what we were trying to do without giving them too much of a tip off! They then went to look at the scenarios and voted on their preferences. Hopefully it gives a more robust result in our research.

Question 3: What was the initial reaction from the 6 participants when they first looked upon the immersive biophilic office space, after it had been transformed?

The research design really started from a typical office space, and then we introduce the immersive scenario – we didn’t call it ‘immersive’ because we wanted to keep it a surprise for the participants.

The first results that we got back was that around 85% of PLP staff would prefer the immersive rather than typical options. So, it really proved that the integrated design approach was very successful. Plus, 100% of those participants in the room wanted to keep the biophilic immersive scenario as well.

Both initial results are very encouraging. Of course, this research is not really about proving the well-being impact of good design execution – because we know that it already has a strong association – the purpose of this research is how do we bring the whole idea up front so that the non-tangible outcomes can be fully understood early in the design process and particularly for budget planning. That is the real purpose of the research.

Question 4: What reaction did you get from the participants when they saw that all the plants had been taken away?

That was very cruel of us, but intentional! You don’t really know what you miss until you haven’t got something. The reason why we introduced the immersive design first and then took it away is because we are questioning whether within an organisation (who want to retain and attract talent with different skills) is the physical workplace one of the considerations of people choosing to move or to stay with their employer?

An employee might want to stay or leave their role be because of the location, it might be because the interior of the design, it might be around people; but if it leans towards the physical design of their workplace, then we wanted to look at whether that has a value to retaining and attracting new people as a result of good workplace design.

Question 5: Were there any surprises (positive or negative) at any point during the project that were quite different to what you expected?

I am keeping an open mind; I try not to be biased and assuming that what a good design is for one person is good for everyone else. Obviously, we acknowledge that everyone has very subjective feelings; Some people like sitting next to the window and natural light, whereas some people, like privacy. We debated a lot about what we think PLP staff would like. One of the elements about bio failure is to understand the context; keeping the culture and develop those connections with nature. We are not trying to introduce that something that doesn’t belong to the space. So, no, I didn’t really have any surprises because I haven’t actually made an assumption on what would happen. A lot of the interviews I did were very open – it’s qualitative.

I guess one of the hiccups I would share is perhaps on the technology side of things. All the tags or the sensors were commercial grade, but actually when they’re being used or measured, it is not always easy or seamless. It does take a lot of work to organise data and to get the data in the first place. We did have a pilot study to make sure that everything ran smoothly, but that implies that when an architect or engineer goes to do a post-occupancy evaluation, the technological challenge should really be taken into account.

The opportunities are huge. The amount of data, particularly people data, is very rich. We can now understand the space much more so than we could have done 10 years ago. But it’s really the insight that is important – we are data overloaded and I always go back to why do we need to collect it and what does it inform?

Question 6: How did Benholm Group support you in the research study before and during the 8-week experiment?

By being super adaptable! Going back to the technological side – we originally picked a room, but it didn’t have enough Wi-Fi signal. So, we had to change the whole setting a week before the study was due to begin. We went back to the drawing board, redesigned everything, and made sure that our program and schedules were still robust enough. There were a lot of challenges along the way and Benholm have been super amazing in really supporting those changes.

Question 7: Benholm Group really enjoyed working with you on the research study – it was really a unique project for us to be involved in. How did you find, working with Benholm Group?

It is really amazing when you find a supplier or consultants who are very proactive. You need to work with people who understand the value in knowledge sharing and who invest in R&D. This is not a money generating project, but we take the view that once we have done it, we want to share the results. We hope that we can support the business case of sustainability and well-being by design, and hopefully help plan for inside spaces. We will actually make people think a lot more about climate change and the way we can connect with nature, so it’s really, really rewarding. Obviously, there are a lot of challenges because many people are still working from home and have COVID restrictions still happening in the background.

The other point I wanted to add regarding Benholm Group, is that we wanted to work with a biophilic specialist because it’s not just about putting some plants in a space – we spent a lot of time looking at why are we picking this plant? We looked at its size, its green density and the impact on well-being. These were informed decisions and we worked out in the office design just how does that plant interact with the space around it? It’s very subtle, but there’s always a reason why we think a place is more beautiful and more inspired than the others. It’s really through the power of design and how sensitively the designers are proposing a new intervention.

Question 8: Finally, I realise the results haven’t been analysed yet, but do you have any initial comments or interesting observations you can share at this stage?

With this kind of study, you can collect so many different aspects about the space and how people feel about it. I think the key is really being specific in what we were trying to do, and to understand the culture and the needs of people before we even started thinking about intervention.

We have a lot of open-minded discussions, but then very specific into the outcomes that we are try to achieve, and which are part of the flourish framework – we are using a very systematic approach, but trying to allow creativity to flourish within it.

The full report on ‘the ‘value of biophilic design’ is expected to be published in Autumn 2022. Keep an eye on our blog and social media where we will share them in full.

For background on this research study read our previous interview with Joyce: https://www.benholm.com/interview-with-interview-with-joyce-chan-schoof/

Learn more about Biophilic Design: www.benholm.com/biophilic-design

Connect with Joyce Chan-Schoof: www.linkedin.com/joyce-chan-schoof

Tags biophilic, foliage, greenery, living walls, news, Planters, plants

Blog

How long does a moss wall last?

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date July 26, 2022

While living moss walls can, in theory, live for around 25 years, they require a large amount of maintenance to stay alive for that long.

At Benholm, our Moss Walls are expertly created using 100% biodegradable Nordik Moss harvested by hand from the forest floor.

The moss is then preserved with natural minerals to stop it from growing and retain it’s natural state – allowing you to simply sit back and enjoy. As an added bonus, they are also fire safe, resistant to discolouration and hypoallergenic.

Provided it is not subject to physical damage or a drastic change in conditions in which it is kept, a moss wall should last indefinitely and many of our original installations continue to delight our clients to the present day.

Considerations to make before arranging a moss wall installation:

· Excessive Heat/Sunlight

Moss walls should be located away from heat sources such as radiators or areas where they would be subject to extreme direct sunlight. Whilst this shouldn’t affect the moss wall visually, excessive heat can cause the moss to become dry and brittle making it more susceptible to accidental damage.

· Humidity

Moss is a natural humidity indicator. Moss should feel fairly soft but will dry out when the humidity in a room drops below 40%.

This makes them unsuitable for wet or very humid areas with poor ventilation such as pool-sides and saunas as this can cause the moss to sweat making the colours run or fade.

· Potential for human damage

Care should be taken in high traffic areas where they are likely to be brushed against or bumped into as it is a natural product and can be damaged. They are also undeniably tempting to touch and are not recommended in areas where children may be left unsupervised.

In the unlikely event that a Nordik Moss Wall ever needs a little refurbishment, or if it does get damaged, our friendly maintenance team can provide a speedy one-off repair service.

Although Nordik Moss walls are virtually maintenance free because they need no regular watering or specialist care, a regular six-monthly minimal maintenance visit is still advised to ensure your Nordik Moss wall is kept in peak condition. This includes regular checks, some light dusting and small repairs as and when needed.

Still want to learn more? Click here to see a gallery of our Moss Walls and living walls in action and have a look at our previous blog where we answer interior designers most common moss wall questions.

If you are thinking of installing a moss wall in your space, we would love to help you bring your idea to life. We provide a complete service package including; planning, creation, installation and ongoing maintenance.

Download our free Nordik Moss brochure and get in touch for a free quotation today.

News

Benholm-approved: Summer product launches

Post author By Emma Robertson
Post date July 20, 2022

At Benholm Group, we are always at the forefront of the latest trends in plant and floral designs and are bursting with creative ideas that will delight and inspire your clients.

We send our network of forward-thinking Interior Designers a monthly trends email packed with relevant content helping them to stay ahead of the curve. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this email you can register at the bottom of this page.

But since you’re already here, we wanted to share with you some of the latest exciting products we have added to our range this summer.

Portable living wall

Introducing the Portable Living Wall.

This innovative product can be easily moved to create partitions, support office redesign and offer a sense of privacy where required.

Maintenance requirements are minimal thanks to an onboard watering and lighting system that can be controlled from your phone.

In addition to their visual appeal, they also contribute to improved indoor air quality and help to dampen noise, creating a healthier and more productive working environment.

Nourishing your staff with nature has never been so simple.

Plants on wheels

Wheel nature to where you need it most.

Continuing the theme of flexibility; check out these industrial-style planters which are already proving to be a hit with the designers we work with. The perfect solution for busy hospitality or corporate settings.

Box planters

Elegant & efficient.

Our brand-new range of box planters are another easy way add a touch of greenery whilst creating functional dividers and screening in any space.

Seat planters

Take a load off and sit amongst nature.

We now have an extensive selection of planters with integrated seating which are ideal for both indoor and outdoor spaces and can be filled with either live or artificial plants.

*At Benholm, we bring your vision to life. The products pictured above are just an example of what can be achieved with these designs. Other sizes, colours and shapes are available on request.

Interested in any of the products featured here? Get in touch today to obtain a free quotation for your space.seas