Biophilic Office Design: How We Transformed a Manchester Workspace with Nature

Why We Filled Our Manchester Workspace with 4-Meter Trees (And You Should Too)

Walking into Department Campfield feels a bit like stepping into a secret garden – if secret gardens had lightning-fast WiFi and excellent coffee. Our 135,000 sq ft campus in Manchester’s St. John’s district is home to towering Bucida trees, cascading Monstera plants, and enough greenery to make you forget you’re in the middle of the city.

But here’s the thing: we didn’t just add plants because they look pretty (though they absolutely do). We embraced something called biophilic design, and it’s completely transformed how our community works, feels, and connects.

What Actually Is Biophilic Office Design?

Biophilic office design is basically the art of bringing the outdoors inside your workplace. The idea comes from “biophilia” – our natural love for nature – and recognizes that humans are hardwired to feel better around natural elements.

It’s way more than just dotting a few succulents around the office. We’re talking about natural light flooding through spaces, the sound of water features, textures that feel organic, and yes – those magnificent 4-meter trees that now call our Victorian warehouse home.

The Benefits of Green Office Spaces (Don’t Worry, It’s Good News)

Here’s what happens when you work in nature-inspired workspaces filled with natural elements:

• 15% boost in productivity – your brain just works better around nature
• Stress levels drop – plants literally lower cortisol (the stress hormone)
• Air gets cleaner – those green friends are busy filtering out nasties
• Creativity flows – natural environments help your mind wander in all the right ways
• People take fewer sick days – healthier air, healthier people

One study even found that having natural timber in learning spaces reduced students’ heart rates by 8,600 beats per day. That’s your body saying “ahh, this feels right.”

From Victorian Market to Urban Jungle

When we took on Campfield – this incredible Grade II listed building that’s been everything from a Victorian market to an Air & Space Museum – we knew we had something special. But those soaring ceilings and floods of natural light were practically begging for something alive.

Working with the brilliant team at Oasis Plants, we’ve created what feels like an urban forest right in the heart of Manchester. Our centerpiece Bucida trees stretch up toward those Victorian arches, creating natural meeting spaces and quiet corners where ideas seem to grow as easily as the plants.

The beauty is in the contrast: soft, organic plants against hard industrial surfaces. Warm terracotta planters next to original corrugated metal features. It tells the story of Manchester’s past while creating spaces for its future.

How We Actually Did It

Started with the statement pieces: Those 4-meter Bucida trees aren’t just impressive – they define spaces naturally, creating “rooms” without walls in our open-plan areas.

Filled in with purpose: Zamioculcas in the quieter corners (they love low light), dramatic Strelitzia where we wanted energy, and sprawling Monstera to soften those industrial edges.

Chose planters with personality: We mixed corrugated metal (hello, Manchester heritage) with warmer terracotta and terrazzo to create visual interest and tell our story.

Maximized the light: Our massive windows and glass partitions mean natural light reaches everywhere, helping both plants and people thrive.

Thought about the senses: It’s not just visual – the subtle sound of our water features and the fresh, clean air from all that greenery creates a multi-sensory experience.

What Our Community Says

Our members consistently tell us that Campfield doesn’t feel like a typical office – it feels alive, inspiring, energizing. People linger in the communal areas, strike up conversations by the big trees, and genuinely seem happier. We regularly hear that working surrounded by all this greenery makes everything feel more possible.

Start Small, Think Big

You don’t need a 135,000 sq ft warehouse to embrace biophilic design. Here’s how to start:

Get some green: Even a few well-placed plants make a difference. Snake plants and pothos are practically indestructible.

Let the light in: Remove anything blocking windows, add mirrors to bounce light around, and position desks where people can see outside.

Bring in natural materials: Wooden desk accessories, stone paperweights, bamboo organizers – small touches that connect you to nature.

Add some texture: Think organic shapes, natural patterns, earthy colors that make spaces feel more alive.

Consider water: Even a small tabletop fountain adds that calming sound of flowing water.

Beyond Just Looking Good

Here’s what we love most about our biophilic approach at Campfield: it creates connection. People naturally gather around the trees, have conversations by the plants, and seem to feel more relaxed and creative.

It’s also genuinely sustainable – our plants are improving air quality, we’re using recycled materials where possible, and creating a healthier environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

The Future Is Green

As more businesses realize that employee wellbeing directly impacts success, biophilic design is moving from “nice to have” to “essential.” We’re already seeing smart systems that adjust lighting to mimic natural daylight patterns and living walls that actively purify air.

At Campfield, we’re not just following this trend – we’re helping shape it. Because we believe the future of work isn’t just about faster tech or better coffee (though we have both). It’s about creating spaces where people feel genuinely good about spending their days.

Come See for Yourself

Words and photos only go so far. The real magic of biophilic design is something you need to experience – the way the light filters through the leaves, how conversations seem to flow more naturally, the subtle sense that you’re somewhere special.

Ready to see what happens when you combine Manchester’s industrial heritage with nature’s healing power? Book a tour of Campfield and discover why more businesses are choosing to work where the wild things grow.

Visit departmentuk.com/campfield to arrange your visit and join a community where innovation and nature flourish together. a community where innovation and nature flourish together.