What do tech and nature have to do with workplace productivity?

One aspect of urban life that has always troubled me is the deteriorating quality of our cities. Having lived in metropolises like Bangalore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok before moving to Singapore, I’ve experienced the stark difference that nature can make in urban environments. Stressors, such as pollution, noise and a lack of green spaces, impact the well-being of residents.

Singapore’s embrace of greenery is a game changer, but the integration of nature into built environments remains a difficult and expensive process. The core problem is that incorporating nature into our living and working spaces is seen as complicated and costly. Many stakeholders, even at an institutional level, are hesitant, fearing maintenance challenges or lacking “green fingers”. But integrating nature isn’t merely about aesthetics – it’s about bringing sunlight, water and biophilic elements into our space to improve our well-being.

Embracing nature

Integrating nature into our daily lives is more than just a long-term goal; it’s a practical approach to enhancing our well-being. Studies on anxiety and cognitive rehabilitation show that engaging with nature, even in small doses, can effectively reduce micro-stresses and improve mental health. Rather than waiting for large-scale changes, we can start with small, everyday practices.

Whether it’s sitting in your balcony, adding a few plants to your office, or taking mindful breaks in green spaces, these simple actions can make a significant difference. For example, spending 120 minutes a week in natural settings, or incorporating natural elements into your environment, can stimulate all five senses and provide a grounding experience. Simple practices like walking barefoot in natural spaces, enjoying sunlight, or interacting with plants can have profound effects on both mental and physical health.

The future of urban living

As we look to the future, it’s important to consider that by 2030, over 60 per cent of the global population will be living in cities. With 90 per cent of urban lifestyles spent indoors and dealing with cognitive workload, creating productive and well- being-oriented spaces is essential.

Historically, building design has focused on energy efficiency, which addresses only a small part of the challenge. A significant opportunity lies in enhancing holistic well-being through nature- based frameworks.

And it’s not just about aesthetics – incorporating nature into urban environments means building healthier, more productive spaces. Research shows that poor indoor environments, from uncomfortable chairs to inadequate access to natural light, result in a 6 per cent loss of productivity annually.

In a typical tech company occupying 50,000 sq ft of office space, this could translate to a $5 million loss each year, which can be partially offset by investing less than 1 per cent in nature- based solutions. By investing $200,000 in greenery, a company could potentially save $1 million in productivity losses – a compelling return on investment.

The path ahead

This challenge drove me to start Naturethings – a technology-driven solution to bridge the gap between nature and urban living. Our ambition is to not only beautify spaces, but also track and quantify the impact on employee well-being and productivity. I hope that, one day, the benefits of nature would be accessible to all. Technology will be crucial in enabling the creation of greener, healthier cities, and in building an ecosystem where access to nature is both affordable and available to everyone.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to transform individual spaces, but to influence urban planning on a larger scale. As cities grow, bringing nature closer to where we live and work will be crucial. By integrating nature into our daily lives, we can create a future that is not only sustainable, but also enriches our well-being.

As told to Cheryl Lai-Lim

Nalini Veeraghanta, founder and CEO of deep tech start-up Naturethings, leads a “nature-as-a- service” platform designed to help clients care for and maintain their plants. This AI-supported tech platform enhances urban spaces by integrating biophilic design, fostering healthier environments and happier teams.