Description:

The Tranquil backdrop to your busy office.

Intro:
For many the contemporary lived experience sees us working in highly urbanised environments that often seem a blur of grey and hard lines. With increasing awareness of employee health comes a drive to explore ways which can create healthier products and spaces. The early successes of biomimicry and biophilic design demonstrate how working with nature is the next logical step towards establishing restorative systems that help us create a more prosperous future.

Biophilic design:
The theory of biophilia hypothesises that humans have become biologically encoded to
affiliate with nature over the course of human evolution. Rather than a passive part of our makeup, recent studies indicate that our connection with nature has a large impact on our health, productivity, and wellbeing, even going so far as to support physiological and psychological restoration.
Biophilic design seeks to implement the positive benefits of experiencing nature into the modern built environment.

The industry/problem/opportunity:
Corporate furniture
Contemporary workplace
Employee health & wellbeing

Lead by insights formed while investigating Biophilia, concepts for a space divider that enhanced positive health benefits were inspired by the landforms and native flora of Aotearoa. The design journey involved understanding how biophilic design principles can be incorporated into workplace furniture, delivering a product that can perform in corporate environments, learning environments, and collaborative spaces.

Design & Concept:
Backdrop, is a collection of biophilic-inspired acoustic space dividers.
Two distinct families Peak, and Leaf include unique configurations heavily tied to a specific natural event such as the Kawakawa leaf and Stewart Island.
Balancing biophilic principals with a lens of industrial design, we developed a unique range with novel design features and industry leading technology.

Biomorphic forms and patterns explore user experiences of prospect and refuge in busy workspaces. By grouping screens we unlock the ability to create a tranquil space for focus work or build an area for collaboration, shielded from distractions of the office around them.
The layering of forms and tonal variations aims to emulate fractal patterns and provide the complex visual stimuli that can boost stress relief.
The three colour pallets, Atmosphere, Forestry and Stone, chosen through pairing biophilic colour theory and their ties to nature, project their inspirations into the space aiming to soothe users and boost wellbeing.
The patterns within the design and internal structure are engineered to reflect the elements that they are inspired by, from the layers of mountain ranges stacked on one another, to the creases in a fallen leaf.

Backdrop is clever to its core and utilises a selection of advanced materials to secretly enhance the user experience

‘Healthguard’ fabric provides protection against pathogens and is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal

Phonix™ nanofibre is layered into the construction providing a truly high performing acoustic solution and a healthier work space.

The patented strap hinges allows users to flex Backdrop into multiple positions for endless versatility and allows the product to be flat packed for ease of shipping.

Conclusion:
Bringing a nature inspired Backdrop to the contemporary office.