Trees are not only a renewable resource, but wood products made of responsibly harvested trees provide physical and psychological renewal to people who live, work and study in wood-rich settings.
Wood’s undeniable aesthetic appeal taps into human psychology and offers documented benefits in the workplace, healthcare, and, most importantly, education environments.
Worldwide experiences with the pandemic, including working and learning from home, have made health a greater priority in residential and commercial design. Therefore, it is not surprising to see design trends for 2022 (according to the American Society of Interior Designers’ Trends Report), going above and beyond sustainability with a major emphasis on wellness and learning.
Across the board, the built environment is putting a priority on becoming more sustainable AND healthful. Wood and elements of the natural environment are key components of this movement to design for health.
When natural wood is used in building interiors and visible, as compared to other material finishes, the physical response in people is a reduction in blood pressure, reduction in heart rate and an overall response of relaxation and reduced stress.
As a general description, these are biophilic responses. Meaning that they’re responses that stem from the basic human affinity to connect with nature. The Natural Resources Defense Council points out that biophilic design has been shown to “support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being.”
Healthy Learning Environment
K-12 education is a pivotal time in children’s development that helps them grow intellectually and socially. Since so many factors affect student achievement during this imperative period, having a holistic view of the educational experience is important.
The focus is often on teaching techniques and curriculum, but the physical building and school surroundings shouldn’t be ignored. More and more research is highlighting the impact that classroom design––specifically design materials––has on students.
Studies have shown that educational settings, built from or containing wooden features can have a direct and positive impact on children’s physical and mental health. Results include the positive benefits that air quality, acoustics and daylight have on learning and recent evidence suggests the material quality of a space also impacts the creation of healthy learning environments.
•Wood is a natural regulator of humidity and has the ability to improve air quality which affects performance.
•Wood naturally deflects and diffuses sound to provide ideal acoustics. Loud, echoey classrooms are less of a problem in wooden settings.
•The warmth and texture of the wood create a more natural, calming environment.
Children, students and others in educational settings benefit from stress reduction, better concentration, and enhanced performance as a result of the presence of wood. School Construction News points to specific benefits of the inherent pattern and texture of wood, especially as compared to a plain blank wall. Wood’s texture stimulates a natural emotional response that calms while at the same time creates visual interest that leads toward improved performance on intelligence tests.
In 2008, Joanneum Research compared a classroom of mainly solid wood materials with a standard classroom. Measurements were taken of the health benefits of 52 children. The study showed that the heart rates of the children in the wooden classroom were significantly reduced. There was a decreased perception of stress and the children were visibly more relaxed. The wooden environment also had a positive impact on their performance.
A recent year-long study examined 36 high school students who were either taught in a timber-clad classroom, or a classroom that used linoleum and plasterboard. The students taught in the classroom with wooden interiors had decreased heart rates and decreased perception of stress, compared to those in the other classroom.
Mahlum Architects is one firm that has seen this happen firsthand. They’ve seen immense benefits of wood in the classroom as a design firm that’s promoted the use of wood in the educational sector. Wilkes Elementary School on Washington’s Bainbridge Island is a beautiful example of their biophilic approach to Architecture & Design. There’s wood on virtually every surface throughout the school. The result is a highly biophilic environment that brings nature indoors and creates optimal learning conditions. It’s no surprise that the school has won many design awards and is highly rated by parents.
It’s clear that increased use of wood inside the classroom and education environment is #exTREEmelysmart—for students, for learning, and the planet.
You know the added benefits of wood interior spaces, but who else needs to hear? Let’s spread the word, use more wood in education settings and support better learning and performance.
Harvesting the next generation through education is the mission of the North American Forest Foundation. Helping children (teachers and parents too) become #exTREEmelysmart, creates a healthier future for them, our industry, and the planet. We’re supporting teachers with free resources to help change hearts and minds about wood, for good. Please join us on this mission. Find out how you can help at NorthAmericanForestFoundation.org or email adeford@ NorthAmericanForestFoundation.org today!
