Stay on the Grass: Nature goes inside the library

As the sign says in the lobby of the Mann Library at Cornell University:

Yes, it’s real grass.
Yes, you can sit, lay down and roll around on the grass, but please don’t stomp on it.
The grass is part of the exhibit. Various professors in Human Ecology have done research on the restorative benefits of nature. Instead of telling you about this, we decided to show you.
So sit, relax, lay down, and enjoy the grass!

Building on the success of last years first-ever “bring the outdoors indoors” initiative  students from the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis (DEA) installed lawns in three additional spaces on campus this holiday season.

Taking the lead from the notion in Attention Restoration Theory that “Nature has a unique ability to reverse the effects of mental fatigue” these green spaces provide students with the perfect antidote for the stresses of finals and the holiday season.

“Our lobby is a high-traffic area, so it was amazing to see how many people were drawn to the ‘lawn’ as soon as it was in place — the exhibit really makes you stop and think about the way we relate to the space around us…”The library is the perfect place for this exhibit,” said Mary Ochs, director of Mann Library.

I trust there are an infinite number of spaces that can benefit from such an approach.

For more:

Cornell Installs Indoor Lawn to Soothe Students During Finals | Treehugger (Photos)