Outside In Blog

Paintings, sculptures and hieroglyphs from yesteryear show that houseplant husbandry is an art form long practiced by our ancestors.

Of the 1970’s trends that have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years - including Elton John and Pantone Ultra Violet channelling the new purple - houseplants have made their millennial comeback.

How much time do you spend inside? New research¹ shows that city dwellers spend 90% of their time indoors, either at home, in the office or in vehicles. All this time spent indoors raises the question of indoor air quality and how that’s affecting our health.

Gone are the days where a few plants in glazed ceramic pots in the foyer provide the finishing touch to a new building. For architects, it’s now standard practice to incorporate plants into the design, right from conception. Plants are being used as a living element that is portable, growing, and ever-changing. They provide function and form while looking beautiful. They can change the ambiance and feel of a space, adjust acoustics and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

If you often feel tired and slightly "under the weather" at work, you may well be experiencing the recognised symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is a phenomenon where people have symptoms such as respiratory and sinus congestion, skin rashes, coughs, headaches and tiredness, when they are in certain buildings or indoor spaces. Many people report relief from these symptoms once they leave the building.