Rebirth of the Home Office: Restoring a Connection with Nature
Have you ever wondered why you get your best ideas while immersed in nature or while simply taking a walk through your favorite trail?
Throughout history, the world’s greatest artists and designers have drawn their inspiration from the natural world. Nature still has this effect on us today. Spending time in nature improves our brain’s cognitive functions, boosting our creativity, focus, and problem-solving. Simply being in a natural environment can restore the parts of the brain that can become depleted due to extensive use of technology or multitasking.
An average office worker spends about 1,600 hours a year at work surrounded by technology and is constantly faced with information overload. Office buildings have taken us further away from the grounding elements of nature that have been proven to be essential for our problem-solving and creativity. A traditional office has very few ways of inspiring us, and the stale environment can lower our productivity.
Now that many of us have experienced the realities of remote work, we are starting to look at the office environment with fresh eyes and are open for change. So shouldn’t we seek to work in the environment that brings out the best in us?
A Nature-Focused Home Office Solution
Space of Mind, a Nordic-inspired workspace designed by Studio Puisto Architects in Helsinki, aims to restore our connection to nature, which is essential for our work performance and overall well-being. With its large window bringing the outdoors closer to us, this home office solution lets us feel nature’s restorative power and presence.
Looking out a window onto a natural scene for just 40 seconds can help restore our focus and increase our work performance. A brief glimpse of the color green before doing a creative task enhances our creative performance more than other colors. Several studies have found that nature’s presence makes workplaces healthier and happier. So even if we cannot be outside, looking at a natural scene will boost our creativity.
The Space of Mind team has excelled in harnessing the power of nature and created a dream space that, in our opinion, can unlock anyone’s creative genius. The free-standing structure can be installed into a backyard or another outdoor location. It offers a dedicated space that is separated from the main residence and free of distractions. Space of Mind adapts to ever-changing needs of our modern lives and can alternatively be used as a guest room or a home gym, among many other functions.
Remote work is here to stay, and an increasing number of people will choose to work from home as many companies allow workers more flexibility in where and how they work. It’s time to reevaluate our work habits and environments. As more people work from home, we need creative solutions for separating personal and professional lives. New versatile home office solutions like Space of Mind could be key in creating distinct spaces for work and family time.
Space of Mind is a viable option for anyone looking for an inspiring solution for their home office or simply a backyard oasis to retreat to from time to time. The Space of Mind team welcomes inquiries from all over the world as they are making their product available for international markets.
Mette Aamodt - Aamodt/ Plumb Architects
Nordic Architecture
Who: Mette Aamodt
Current Gig: Architect, Design Activist, Co-Founder of the Slow Space Movement, Blogger
Location: Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Your favorite way to relax: By the ocean, listening to the waves and looking out over the water.
In a world of constant distractions, people seek new ways to take care of themselves, disconnect and recharge. We chatted with Mette Aamodt, the Co-Founder and CEO of Aamodt/Plumb Architects about how Nordic values and architecture can help us slow down and play a role in our well-being.
In addition to being a business owner, Mette is also a Design Activist, Co-Founder of the Slow Space Movement and Blogger at slowspace.org. Born in Norway, she is deeply influenced by her Nordic heritage and has a passion for modern design. In her work she focuses on simple forms and natural materials that are well-crafted and long-lasting.
LN: In both your blog, Slow Space, and your built projects you put a lot of emphasis on understanding and implementing Nordic Values towards achieving a better well-being for your readers and clients. How about your personal life? How have you been able to embrace Nordic values to improve your quality of life?
MA: In our personal and family life we try to live a Nordic lifestyle as much as possible. For us that means lots of family meals, spending time outside every day and enjoying each day as it comes. We also resist the very American trend of over-scheduling our kids and ourselves. We love having weekends with absolutely no plans, so we can do whatever the mood suggests.
"Creativity and imagination need time and uncluttered space to emerge."
LN: Later, we will be speaking with Linda McGurk, the author of ‘There’s no Such Thing as Bad Weather’, about the benefits of outdoor play and nature-centric parenting. In your opinion, how can architecture stimulate our senses in a similar way that nature does and to what benefit?
MA: I completely agree with nature-centric parenting and another way to do that is to bring nature inside with natural light and natural materials like wood and stone. Natural light and materials make us feel connected to our world and sooth our overstimulated minds and bodies.
LN: How can Nordic architecture help to slow down our busy lives and inspire us to dream and be more imaginative?
MA: Nordic architecture's focus on simple forms and natural materials is calm and soothing. Nordic architecture is fundamentally focused on the human experience. It is very welcoming and encourages us to stay and enjoy the atmosphere for a while. Creativity and imagination need time and uncluttered space to emerge.
