How a new generation of subtropical office buildings are helping workers and citys thrive

120 minutes – research shows that’s the minimum amount of time needed in nature each week to boost health, cognitive function, and mental wellbeing. But with many people spending half of their waking hours at work, how can the office design help improve access to nature’s wide-ranging cognitive benefits?  

What is biophilic design?  

An architectural term ‘biophilic’ design involves incorporating nature and natural materials into the built form. The concept has been widely supported with studies proving that exposure to biophilic environments delivers sustainable benefits to human health, ranging from reduced heart rate and adrenaline levels, to a boosted immune system and faster healing. In the office environment, this connectivity to nature can help increase workers’ mood, concentration and productivity while lowering stress levels.  

At 360 Queen Street, outdoor space incorporating vertical greenery, sub-tropical terraces, mixed-mode wintergardens, and integrated planting provides access to visible green space throughout the entire design. Spacious floor plates, high ceilings and full-height windows with sill-free glazing provide open further sight lines to expansive views to water and the sky, ensuring staff feel connected to nature at every level.  

Buildings that Breathe  

In Brisbane, buildings are encouraged to celebrate the local subtropical climate and enrich the urban biodiversity of our city through the Design Guide Buildings that Breathe. These principles have been fundamental to 360 Queen Street’s design, setting a new benchmark for breathable office developments and contributing to the shared city vision.  

From the vertical green spaces, gardens and living greenery, to shading devices and louvered windows, 360 Queen Street offers a lush urban environment for biodiversity to thrive as well as enable access to natural daylight, cool breezes and elevated gardens, whilst protecting from the sun, wind and rain.  

Smart plants   

Of course, incorporating nature into the built environment doesn’t mean regression in terms of technology innovation, with seamlessly-integrated tech still vital to worker productivity. Creating an ecosystem inspired by nature and powered by tech delivers a powerful experience that balances natural elements with seamless modern design, and helps boost sustainability.  

At 360 Queen Street, the leafy outdoor terraces and wintergardens are equipped with reliable  Wifi and multiple wireless charging outlets, ensuring workers can connect as they bask in nature’s glories. 

These outdoor spaces also function as vital ‘third spaces’ for employees to recharge and collaborate. The psychology of productivity demonstrates that serendipitous encounters between colleagues in the workplace lead to the sharing of ideas – boosting innovation and creativity. 

 Indeed, these moments between workers often occur ‘outside’ in more ways than one – outside the confines of an office or structured workday. In this way, tech-enabled terraces and wintergardens don’t just nurture worker wellbeing; they encourage problem-solving, lateral thinking and creative insight in ways that tangibly enhance business performance. 

 A win for retention  

Progressive workplaces that deeply understand human needs will always attract the best talent. Studies demonstrate that workers with views of nature reported greater job satisfaction. Outdoor green spaces such as those at 360 Queen Street provide an extra incentive to retain these in-demand workers – a crucial consideration for businesses growth strategies.  

Want to learn more? 360 Queen Street development in the heart of Brisbane will be a workplace of the future in every sense, designed to revolutionise the way people work, grow and succeed. 360 Queen Street is leasing now.