Developed as a concept by UK neurobiologist Semir Zeki at the end of the last century, neuroaesthetics is a field of research which examines how our appreciation and absorption of art, colour and other aesthetic stimuli, such a nature, impacts how our brains function.

This has been a relatively novel concept in the design industry, but designers are now beginning to appreciate its potential, by incorporating its principles into their designs, helping inform the delivery of office environments which benefit their occupants’ health and enhance their work-based experience.

Of the many strands of thought around neuroaesthetics, the impact of introducing nature into an office is perhaps the easiest to appreciate, since the human brain has an innate tendency to seek connections with nature.

Several studies have proved that young adults perform better and get more enjoyment from their time in school if their immediate surroundings feature plants; it’s encapsulated in an approach known as biophilia – a love of living things – and it doesn’t take a huge leap of imagination to see that a similar tactic would work in an office space. Fixtures and furnishings can also take a leaf out of nature’s book.

Creating in a workplace layout the sort of smooth, flowing lines that are typically found in nature, rather than populating it with sharp or jagged edges, is another option. Meanwhile, good clear sight lines within an office can foster a sense of community and collaboration, and while I’m not proposing workers stare out of a window all day, having a great view can empower people by brightening their mood.

These are not simply anecdotal observations; they are backed up by scientific research.