Definitions Deconstructed
Skogluft
S. G. Lacey
​
Definition:
Norwegian method for bringing nature into one’s home and office to improve health and happiness. [REF]
Deconstruction:
Skogluft, which translates directly to “forest air” in Norwegian, is a modern interior decorating mantra pioneered by Jorn Viumdal.
The quote below, taken directly out of his lengthily titled book, “Skogluft (Forest Air): The Norwegian Secret to Bringing the Right Plants Indoors to Improve Your Health and Happiness”, published in 2019, neatly sums up the core tenants of this new movement.
“Our modern, urban lifestyle – filled with stress, noise and sedentary indoor activities – has separated us from what were once the natural conditions of life. Forest Air represents a few simple, practical things you can do on your own that will open up a new dimension in your life.” [REF]
Jorn Viumdal is a Norwegian mechanical engineer, and professor at the University of Environmental Research and Bioscience in Norway. He’s responsible for founding the first company dedicated to creating novel living décor solutions, based on extensive research into the relationship between people and nature.
Over the millennia, civilizations have operated in harmony with the organic elements of open air, abundant sunlight, and most relevant to this topic, thriving vegetation.
Unfortunately, in the contemporary world, humans spend 80% or more of their lives indoors, in various enclosed settings: slaving away for work, various arbitrary retail pursuits, then restful relaxing at home. Viumdal’s relatively low-tech spatial solution, in an increasingly complex high-tech world, can have substantial benefits on general wellness.
While this specific Skogluft iteration is a decidedly modern trend, the same preachings have pervaded civilization since homo sapiens moved off the savannah and into caves. Without the benefits of the sun and stars overhead, new forms of light generation were needed, both to enable sight while executing basic daily tasks, and to promote plant and animal livelihood in while stuck in secluded shelters.
The fundamental concept of creating curated plant motifs to decorate indoor spaces is quite broad. But, this new home décor approach goes a long way beyond simply putting a small potted plant on the kitchen counter. A simple internet search reveals all manner of creative modified foliage executions: utilizing tables, wall shelving, bookcases, curtain rods, lamps, and ceiling strings.
However, Viumdal stresses that embracing the Skogluft principles doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming process. The key is to select plants which are low maintenance and visually appealing, since creating another household task can be taxing rather than relaxing.
No 5-digit renovation budget or full-time gardener needed.
Functional single-wall plant treatments can range anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars to build out. Many approaches use recyclable materials for the potting and hanging elements, further enhancing the sustainable nature of this bio-based aesthetic approach.
Through extensive research, Mr. Viumdal has determined the “golden pathos”, or “Devil’s ivy”, is one of the best leafy indoor options. This vibrant foliage only requires watering once every few weeks, and grows well in the low light and moderate temperatures associated with domesticated human habitation.
Bringing natural elements into residences and workplaces helps ground the body and mind. Live plants can remove toxins and pollutants from the air, which improves respiratory function for those spending significant time in a Skogluft modified space. Some vegetation breeds specifically engineered for indoor functioning can last over a decade, making this renovation a great long-term investment.
The list of touted benefits from Skogluft sanctuaries is long: reducing stress and anxiety, boosting mood and energy, improving immune system and overall health, enhancing sleep and productivity.
The dynamic, evolving characteristics of a living wall provides nurturing benefits which are deeply satisfying as part of humanity’s innate survival instincts. When executed at public spaces in a clever way, a Skogluft treatment can provide a valuable point of engaging conversation. Not to mention the happiness generated from executing a new room aesthetic, especially one which evolves as it thrives.
The benefits of greenery have been noted by civilizations all the way back to the ancient Romans, who emphasized maintaining key open spaces even as their society urbanized. This realization has been translated to other major modern metropoles: Central Park in New York City, Bushy Park in London, and Showa Kinen Park in Tokyo.
While the concept of Skogluft seems somewhat amorphous, there’s actually a large body of scientific research related to the influence of health and wellness on humans through incorporating vibrant plants and natural light in their interior surroundings.
A foundational study was conducted in the spring of 1995, using 50 similar single offices across Norway, all of which had a roughly 10 m2 floor plan, with a large window along the lone outer wall. Participants spent the same amount of time in the original plain space, then with 13 varietals of foliage added to the furnishings via window boxes and corner pots.
Participants were surveyed every other week during their 3-month duration in each cubicle condition. A list of 12 specific symptoms were ranked on a 4-digit scoring system, with “0” assigned to “no issues”, and “3” representing “severe problems”.
Overall, the workers analyzed exhibited a 23% reduction in health impairment across the swath of potential ailments. The bar chart below shows a more granular breakdown of individual symptom improvements from this groundbreaking study. [REF]
Follow-up studies have been executed by these same Scandinavian researchers using full-spectrum florescent light as a complement to the living organisms. These experiments were conducted at both the radiation department in a hospital, and several junior high schools, with similar double-digit reduction in discomfort experienced from the supplemented indoor spaces.
It seems that there’s actually some science behind the Skogluft system.
​
A similar, even more productive, philosophy, understandably also hailing from this outdoor mecca, is the Norwegian concept of “friluftsliv”. This term is associated with enjoyable living in the open air without damaging it. This indulging approach allows most Norway residents to appreciate their country’s geographic bounty: sea, woods, fields, and mountains.
“Skogluft” is an alternative approach for those poor folks who must stay inside for a substantial portion on their waking hours.
An exploration of green interior decoration wouldn’t be complete without a commentary on fake plants. These items are actually the opposite of a sustainable model, considering the energy input required for manufacturing the plastic petals and wire stems. Also, though some offerings can be incredibly lifelike visually, they fail to provide the beneficial organic shape change over time, and don’t improve the indoor air conditions due to their inert material construction.
Usage of house plants as a decorative medium has ebbed and flowed in popularity over the past century and a half. By the end of the Victorian Era, venerable jungles were curated in many English mansions, used as a status symbol of wealth and influence.
American’s first love with residential growing came as part of the single-family household formation boom following World War II. Behind the ubiquitous white picket fences was often found a small garden, and inside the single-story bungalows was often found window plant boxes.
Next came the Hippies of the 1960’s. In this influential decade, different mentality and desires shaped different growing trends. Flower Power and potted plants quickly took on a whole new meaning.
Proliferation of indoor vegetation has boomed in recent years, well beyond any previous era. As COVID restrictions locked everyone in their homes, all manner of residential renovation projects were initiated. Just from 2019 and 2021, total revenues associated with the foliage décor industry doubled.
These days, the highest global demand is for exotic, expensive botanicals, with younger consumers entering this space, and demanding the rarest, most visually unique, weirdly named offerings possible.
Competition is fierce in this space, with growers striving to create revolutionary cross breeds that are aesthetically appealing, while still stable for indoor, low light, variable water, consistent temperature, environs. These novel varietals are a far cry from the standard potted greenery pedals shilled at the local hardware store.
Still, no matter how much interior spaces, where modern civilization spends most of its time, are modified to replicate the outdoors, there’s no substitute for getting immersed in nature. Instead of staring out the window, if the sun’s shining, and your brain’s feeling sluggish, simply get up and go for a walk.
Details:
