|
Office Environment
The principle influences are:
•
The plant's ability to fix air borne toxins and
•
Its ability to enhance the occupant's self esteem
and sense of comfort in their work space.
Their use extends to space and traffic flow management
by means of screening.
In order to make a significant contribution to
air purification and its attendant relief in terms
of sick building syndrome the current recommendation
for plant concentration in the office space is
one advanced 300mm specimen plant for every 18m2.
This standard is a rough guide only since the
evidence out of UTS, Biological Studies, is that
some species are significantly more efficient
than others. (Refer www. elders. com.au and the
research page of this web site. See also cultural
notes on the several species either under the
design pathway or the workplace.) (NOTE for the
web site construction, each of these references
should be accessible by pointing subject to any
restriction)
Plants toxin fixing propensity appears related
to the stomatal activity in the leaf, the density
of the stomates and the total surface area of
the plant's leaves.
Of the utmost importance is the inherent health
of the plant. They must be actively respiring
to perform the function.
The psychological affects of the plant (refer
www. hero.benefits.com and to research page this
web site) is determined by visibility and, therefore,
concentration will depend on other considerations
dictated by the spacial configuration of the area
under consideration.
The advent of the open plan office allowed for
a relative reduction in concentration of plant
units but the modern trend to semi-isolated work
stations with the increased height in work station
dividers to 1.8m there is the need for greater
concentration to ensure visibility.
The use of plants as dividers is a long established
practice.
The specie here is of paramount importance in
terms of habit but there are several species which
readily lend themselves to informal space separation.
tbg has developed several planter units that
can be used to enhance this particular function
of plants. (refer container page of the design
pathway.)
Similar considerations are relevant in the traffic
flow management but an interesting use here is
that commonly employed in hospitality and retail
facilities of active focal points to draw interest
to areas where flow is desired. (refer retail
pathway)
|
