>> WCVB RECENTLY RENOVATED OUR OFFICES.
WE WISH WE HAD SEEN THIS FIRST.
>> LIVING WALLS BRING PLANTS OUTSIDE IN AND MAKE ANY JOB A LITTLE BRIGHTER.
♪ >> USUALLY AT "CHRONICLE," WE COME UP WITH OUR OWN INTERVIEW QUESTIONS, BUT THAT WAS BEFORE WE MET JANICE.
>> I TRANSFORM PEOPLE’S LIVES WITH THE POWER OF PLANTS.
HER COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GREENING OF A WIDER SWATH OF BOSTON’S COMMERCIAL SPACE.
>> OUR COMPANY IS SO BUSY -- >> FUELING THE SUCCESS OF THE COMPANY, BY OPHELIA -- BIOPH ILIA.
>> THE INNATE CONNECTION TO NATURE.
>> SHE WANTS TO GET SOMETHING OFF HER CHEST.
>> I AM A BIOPHILIAC.
>> THE CONCEPT WAS POPULARIZED IN A BOOK.
IT ARGUES THE CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL ROLLED IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE TO BEING FULLY HUMAN.
>> WE HAVE EVOLVED FOR NATURAL SETTINGS THAT HAVE THE ELEMENTS THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR SURVIVAL, THE PRESENCE OF A FOOD, SHADE OR SHELTER, WATER.
>> DESIGNERS HAVE TAKEN UP THE CHALLENGE, WE NATURAL ELEMENTS LIKE PLANTS, WATER, AND NATURAL LIGHT TO OUR GLASS AND STEEL OFFICE TOWERS.
>> THE INTRODUCTION OF LIVING ELEMENTS LIKE WHAT IT, STONE, PLANTS, AND WATER, PROVIDE A GREATER SENSE OF COMFORT.
>> STUDIES HAVE SUGGESTED THAT WORKPLACES WITH STRONG BIOPHIL IAC DESIGN HAVE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND LOWER RATES OF ABSENTEEISM.
>> ONCE YOU HAVE THESE DESIGNS IN YOUR WORKSPACE, YOUR STRESS REDUCES AND YOUR LEAD PRESSURE GOES DOWN.
-- BLOOD PRESSURE GOES DOWN.
>> SHE TAKES US ON A BOSTON TOU R.
FIRST OFF, THE WINTER GARDEN.
>> IT IS GORGEOUS!
ARE YOU FEELING HAPPY?
I AM HAPPY.
THE BIRDS ARE CHIRPING.
>> MORE THAN A THOUSAND HYDRANGEAS AND A ROW OF FICUS TREES INVITE YOU TO HANG OUT.
>> THERE IS A FIGHT HERE -- CVIB HERE THAT HAS EMBRACED BIPHILIAC DESIGN.
>> THE LATEST TREND?
THE LIVING WHILE.
-- LIVING WALL.
>> THIS PLANT, YOU JUST PLUG IN.
WE CALL IT PLUG AND PLAY.
>> LIVING WALLS ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER BOSTON, NON-GRANDER THAN THE RESERVATION PROJECT AT ONE HUNDRED FEDERAL STREET THAT INCLUDES A NEW GLASS A TREE HIM.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO ALL AT ONCE, BUT THE MOST TALKED ABOUT PIECES ARE LIVING WALLS.
IT IS MY FAVORITE PIECE.
>> THE TWIN-PANELED LIVING WALL, COMPRISED OF MORE THAN 4000 INDIVIDUAL PLANTS, MAKES UP A HUGE, GREEN WOW FACTOR.
>> LOTS OF QUESTIONS.
WE WANTED TO BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE AND IF HELPS TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.
>> BACK ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF THE OLD HANCOCK TOWER, JANICE SAYS IT IS TIME MORE PLANTS WERE EMPLOYED IN OUR WORKPLACES.
>> THINK OF ALL THE YEARS THEY DID THE CONCRETE AND THE STEEL.
YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS AND IT’S LIKE, THIS IS SO COLD, AND UGLY, TO ME.
BUT NOW PLANTS ARE COMING IN.
THERE IS A PHRASE A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES USE, THE BUILDING ISN’T FINISHED UNTIL THE PLANTS ARRIVE.
BOOM.
[LAUGHTER]
>> VERY COOL.
HUMANS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 200,000 YEARS.
WE HAVE ONLY WORKED IN BUILT ENVIRONMENTS FOR A CENTURY.
>> WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT 90% OF OUR TIME INDOORS AND EVOLVED TO BE AROUND WATER AND GREENERY AND LIGHT.
IT MAKES SENSE THIS DESIGN WOULD REDUCE OUR STRESS AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
>> WE NEED THAT SUNSHINE ALL THE TIME.
>> YOU BRING YOUR OWN BEER, HOW ABOUT GROWING YOUR OWN MUSHROOMS?
>> IT IS STARTING TO IT THE MAINSTREAM.