Natural environments to inspire learning

The importance of bringing biophilic elements into your learning space

Biophilic design (bringing the outdoors in) has been proven to reduce stress, enhance creativity and clarity of thought and improve our wellbeing. By incorporating biophilic elements teachers and students alike gain head space and feel like they have their own place to settle, explore and be creative. This has endless benefits as it gives teachers the opportunity to build stronger relationships with students, gifting the students with optimal learning experiences daily.

LSG provides that missing link between nature and educational environments stimulating positive effects on development, health, and well-being.

Elements in creating a natural learning environment:

Create a connection to nature

Nature itself is an essential aspect of a student’s learning and development from day one, as it is inborn in our beings. Our environment delivers physical and memorable experiences that nothing else can. Biophilic pieces inspired by nature's therapeutic properties can not only look beautiful but improve learning outcomes.

It is also the perfect opportunity to give your tamariki a sense of place. By connecting your design to the local surrounding environment and its history, you elevate a space’s mana and make it unique amongst the crowd.

Embrace natural colour palettes

Your professional learning environment shouldn't feel like a fast-food playground stuffed full of loud colours and plastic furniture that leaves its inhabitants drained at the end of each day with a head full of unnecessary noise.

Colours of a classroom have a huge impact on students. For example if red is the dominant colour in your room it can quickly divert students focus leading to negative emotions of anger and danger. Contrastingly if you have a deep forest green as the dominant colour this will stimulates feelings of safety, growth and renewal. Shades of Blue are also great to bring about calm in the classroom. Pair these with neutral colours and you will have a winner learning space!

Use sustainable materials and methodologies

Most of our Outdorable range is made from natural acetylated weatherproof timber which has been sustainably sourced. Not only is this material hard wearing and incredibly long lasting, it is also non-toxic FSC certified with a GOLD standard Cradle to Cradle environmental certificate.

Our premium range of furniture is made from FSC certified Birch Ply, harvested from forests which are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, and environmentally conscious. This material is also CARB 2 compliant, signifying that any formaldehyde released over time is so small, that it poses absolutely no risk to your health.

Ensure your acoustic levels are healthy

Good acoustics strongly support biophilic design. Good acoustics are essential for a healthy learning environment. Taking away sound which bounces off every hard surface means stress of teachers and students reduce as they can focus on the task at hand rather than the many other activities that are going on in a classroom. This means focus increases giving and an overall improvement in well-being.

Enable access to breakout ‘safe spaces’

Never underestimate the power of small ‘safe’ spaces where students can go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the classroom. These spaces can be in the form of individual booths or smaller rooms for group work of 2-3 students. In these spaces a student can reset, they feel the freedom to make mistakes without being judged or ridiculed and in general unleash their mind to their inner creativity. Some of the best students work is done in these spaces!

Kate Morgan, Principal

“When we were looking for furniture we were looking for something that fitted in with the natural environment so that the Tamariki saw the link between inside and outside. The reason we loved LSG when looking around was really the natural furnishings they could provide and their attention to detail around our localised curriculums… I would definitely recommend LSG to other schools.”

Lisa Cavanagh, Principal

There’s a lot of research we know now, particularly coming out of Reggio spaces around the environment being the third teacher, so how we create those environments for children is pretty important to how safe they feel in a classroom.

It was really good to have that 3D video fly through, we could walk through with it in the empty spaces before they were furnished and make some decisions about the final furniture choices.

Even when the Prime Minister and our local MP Judith Collins popped in for our opening, they all commented on how beautiful the furniture looks, how the natural vibe, the colour schemes, the natural looking wood really helps to create a space that feels warm and welcoming and family like.

Anna Ashby, Associate Principal

From their initial proposal presentation through to installation and follow up Learning Spaces Global have been great to communicate with. Products have arrived on time and they had staff here when furniture was unpacked and set up.

The furniture is attractive and engaging, encouraging learners to interact with each other creatively. The products made to a very high standard that will stand the test of time in a busy learning environment.