Chief Design Officer, Interface
Search every verified Chip Degrace interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2015 interview on FloorDaily.net, Chip DeGrace, then Executive Creative Director at Interface, discussed the company’s newly released report, “Human Spaces: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace.” DeGrace stated that the report, based on a survey of approximately 7,500 respondents across 16 countries, found that office workers expressed a preference for natural light, indoor plants, quiet and collaborative spaces, views of water, and colors such as greens and blues. He attributed to the research the claim that such biophilic elements can lead to higher productivity, creativity, and well-being, citing metrics of up to 15 percent more creativity, six percent more productivity, and 15 percent higher well-being. DeGrace noted that Interface produces biomimetic products and has researched how space can mimic nature to improve well-being. DeGrace said the report was developed with experts including Sir Kerry Cooper and Bill Browning, and that it provides designers with data and a vocabulary to justify biophilic design principles to clients. He mentioned that 47 percent of respondents indicated they would consider office design as a factor in choosing where to work. The report is hosted at humanspaces.com, a site powered by Interface that DeGrace described as inviting practitioners and customers to contribute to the conversation and apply biophilic design in practice.
“It is the connection to Nature that gives us a greater sense of well-being, reduces stress, and keeps us healthier in general.”
“There are actual metrics that say people heal faster when exposed to some of the things I just described; in the office there's greater productivity and creativity as high as 15 percent more creative, six percent more productive, and 15 percent higher level of well-being.”
“The report gives designers the facts and data they need to tell their clients that if you want a more productive workspace or a more healing healthcare environment, we need to blend natural light, plants, and more nature in the environment.”
“About 7,500 people responded to this research over 16 countries, giving a global view that helps designers justify biophilic design principles to their clients.”
“As much as 47 percent of respondents said they would use office design as one of the determinants of where they would work.”
“Interface has products that are biomimetic—they look and work like nature—and we've been researching how space itself can mimic nature to improve well-being and productivity.”
“The research connected with experts globally, including Sir Kerry Cooper and Bill Browning, to study how humans are affected by a more direct connection with nature in built spaces.”
“Respondents generally wanted natural light, indoor plants, quiet working spaces, collaborative spaces, views of water, and colors like greens and blues to help creativity and reduce stress.”
“The report provides designers a vocabulary and organized structure to approach biophilic design principles and explain them to their customers.”
“The website humanspaces.com hosts the report and is powered by Interface, inviting practitioners and customers to contribute and bring biophilic design into actual practice.”
April 10, 2015—Chip DeGrace, Executive Creative Director with interface, and Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, ...
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