How do well-designed spaces make us happier and more productive?
Nowhere is the positive relationship between the quality of the built environment, productivity, innovation, health and wellbeing more evident than in workplace design. A wealth of contemporary research shows that a sense of connection, a positive and purposeful environment, a variety of spaces and control over the space form key paradigms that positively contribute to employee wellbeing. By responding to the needs of specific corporate cultures, these considerations are being applied in various ways to workplace design. The examples shown here explore a few design modalities – such as favouring in-between spaces that encourage casual encounters and the exchange of ideas, the positive influence of biophilia, the flexibility and modularity of units that support personalisation and creative use of work spaces and an emphasis on physical activity within office buildings.
The changing nature of workplace design
The world of work is changing, so the way that our places of work support our wellbeing is needing to change too. Today’s workplace is a diverse thing. People from multiple generations, and with a wide range of needs, priorities and working styles, perform ever more diverse tasks. Fewer and fewer people are doing the 9-to-5, sat at rows of desks, working monotonously and repetitively. On average, desks are occupied just 44% of the time. Tasks are more varied. The work day is more fluid. Developments in technology are also enabling us to work anytime, anywhere. Whilst this brings great benefits in terms of flexibility, it also means that work increasingly bleeds into life. For many this means that the stresses of work also bleed into life. Work-related stress, depression and anxiety now accounts for 39% of all work-related illness in the UK. We therefore need to adopt a holistic conception of workplace wellbeing. Beyond physical wellbeing, the psychological and emotional dimensions of wellness at work also need to be taken into account. It’s no longer simply a case of countering sedentary lifestyles by designing spaces that encourage people to move. Workstation health and safety assessments, and free fruit and gym memberships are not enough anymore. There is growing recognition that we also need to design our places of work to minimise workplace stress and support workplace satisfaction. Moves toward a people-centred, evidence-based approach to workplace design are critical for this. Observing and consulting end-users through the design process not only equips workplace designers with evidence of what works well, it also engages and empowers the end-users. The approach is increasingly leading to the adoption of‘activity-based working’– the provision of different types of space to support the multiple needs and working activities of the various end-users in question, as well as the trust and autonomy to choose to work wherever they are best enabled to do so. From a desk to a café table. From a quiet working booth to a large communal bench. From a sofa to a seat on the train home. The result: a more productive, motivated and happy workforce. As the boundaries between work and life continue to blur, more and more organisations are recognising that our places of work must also be places of life. They are recognising that there is a need to create workplaces that people want to come to everyday. Where they can work productively and be the best that they can be. Where they can feel good about who they are and what they do.
Rosie Haslem
Director Spacelab
Rosie Haslem
Director Spacelab
Gensler
UK Workplace Survey 2016
The UK has one of the highest percentage of open plan work environments in the world, and has, on the surface, appeared used to and comfortable with this way of working for quite some time. Look a little deeper, however, and this may not be entirely true. While the physical infrastructure of the workplace has evolved more towards an open plan environment, it is the speed at which the metaphysical infrastructure of today’s workplace has rapidly transformed our approach to work that is having a profound impact on people’s ability to work effectively.
Gensler recently surveyed a panel-based sample of 1,200 UK office workers in 11 industries to gauge the current state of the UK workplace and uncover opportunities to improve employee performance and experience. The aim was to uncover detailed insights into the connection between workplace design and organisational innovation, and identify key strategies to improve UK office environments.
The survey revealed that badly designed open plan office environments are stifling innovation in businesses across the United Kingdom. Over 8 million UK employees work in open plan environments and many of these environments are not designed to promote creativity and innovation.
Other key findings include:
To read more on the findings and recommendations, copies of Gensler’s UK Workplace Survey 2016 can be found in the exhibition’s reference library.
Team credits
Philip Tidd, Jane Clay, Anna Sigler, Annelise Tvergaard, Sarah Ekundayo, Am
rapali Agarwal, Joe
Morgan, Leeann De Barros, Rachel Barnes, Tim Pittman and Christine Barber
Gensler recently surveyed a panel-based sample of 1,200 UK office workers in 11 industries to gauge the current state of the UK workplace and uncover opportunities to improve employee performance and experience. The aim was to uncover detailed insights into the connection between workplace design and organisational innovation, and identify key strategies to improve UK office environments.
The survey revealed that badly designed open plan office environments are stifling innovation in businesses across the United Kingdom. Over 8 million UK employees work in open plan environments and many of these environments are not designed to promote creativity and innovation.
Other key findings include:
- The UK workforce seems to be divided into ‘haves and have-nots’, with mid and lower-tier workers confined to poor quality environments
- 67 per cent of the workforce feel drained due to their office environment at the end of each working day
- ‘Innovators’ spend just 3.5 days of the working week in the office, highlighting the need for greater flexibility in office design and remote working.
To read more on the findings and recommendations, copies of Gensler’s UK Workplace Survey 2016 can be found in the exhibition’s reference library.
Team credits
Philip Tidd, Jane Clay, Anna Sigler, Annelise Tvergaard, Sarah Ekundayo, Am
rapali Agarwal, Joe
Morgan, Leeann De Barros, Rachel Barnes, Tim Pittman and Christine Barber
Hassell
Medibank Melbourne
Cbus Property
2014
Hassell designed the offices of Australia’s largest health insurer Medibank with the idea of moving beyond conventional Activity Based Working (ABW) to create Health Based Working (HBW) – an approach that places the mental and physical health of people at its heart.
Medibank employees have real freedom to choose how and where they work, being able to select from more than 26 types of work settings, ranging from indoor quiet spaces and collaborative hubs to wifi-enabled balconies and places to stand and work. Circadian lighting in certain areas of the workspace mimic natural daylight patterns supporting people’s biorhythms. Both the building and the workplace incorporate an enormous number of plants to help relieve stress, improve internal air quality and transforms views from grey to green. Employees who want a more vigorous workout can make use of a multipurpose sports court at ground level.
Also at ground level, an edible garden sits near a demonstration kitchen that Medibank uses to promote healthy eating to both staff, not-for-profit organisations and the wider community. A ramp from the main entrance spirals upwards from street level, allowing Medibank employees easy access to bike storage on their way in to work. This makes both a symbolic and practical commitment to encouraging employee health and wellbeing.
Just four months after Medibank moved in, 79% of employees reported they were working more collaboratively with their colleagues and 70% said they are healthier working at Medibank Place. 66% of employees said they were more productive at Medibank Place and the call centre saw a 5% reduction in absenteeism.
Images from left to right:
1.Medibank Place, informal work spaces, photo Earl Carter
2. Medibank Place, interior detail and circulation, photo Earl Carter
3. Medibank Place, green spaces at ground level, photo Earl Carter
Medibank employees have real freedom to choose how and where they work, being able to select from more than 26 types of work settings, ranging from indoor quiet spaces and collaborative hubs to wifi-enabled balconies and places to stand and work. Circadian lighting in certain areas of the workspace mimic natural daylight patterns supporting people’s biorhythms. Both the building and the workplace incorporate an enormous number of plants to help relieve stress, improve internal air quality and transforms views from grey to green. Employees who want a more vigorous workout can make use of a multipurpose sports court at ground level.
Also at ground level, an edible garden sits near a demonstration kitchen that Medibank uses to promote healthy eating to both staff, not-for-profit organisations and the wider community. A ramp from the main entrance spirals upwards from street level, allowing Medibank employees easy access to bike storage on their way in to work. This makes both a symbolic and practical commitment to encouraging employee health and wellbeing.
Just four months after Medibank moved in, 79% of employees reported they were working more collaboratively with their colleagues and 70% said they are healthier working at Medibank Place. 66% of employees said they were more productive at Medibank Place and the call centre saw a 5% reduction in absenteeism.
Images from left to right:
1.Medibank Place, informal work spaces, photo Earl Carter
2. Medibank Place, interior detail and circulation, photo Earl Carter
3. Medibank Place, green spaces at ground level, photo Earl Carter
|
|
|
NBBJ
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions
2015
Competition for talent in Silicon Valley is fierce. More and more, the look, feel and function of a workplace is central to employee recruitment, retention and satisfaction. In designing Samsung’s largest development in California, NBBJ focused on giving employees the space to get inspired and build enriching communities.
The design ensures that each employee is no more than one level away from fresh air and a landscaped, outdoor space. Open-air garden decks lie between every two office floors for breaks away from the office environment, where employees can socialise, relax and work. Fitness facilities and leisure spaces are also located on the garden levels to increase connections and promote a healthy work-life balance. Nap pods and music rooms also encourage staff to find happiness, stimulation and serenity while at work.
Creating the ideal tech workplace starts with people, so a person’s health and spatial experience were considered from the beginning of the project. With its high visibility, the courtyard is a central place for work sessions, impromptu meetings and casual conversation, driving productive encounters. This courtyard also allows daylight to penetrate into the interior of the floorplate, providing abundant natural light, which is critical to productivity and wellbeing.
Innovation is fuelled by the exchange of ideas in a vibrant, well-connected environment so a variety of work zones were designed to empower employees and cater for a wide range of work styles and needs. Every member of staff can therefore find a work space where they feel comfortable while also being exposed to the kind of serendipitous encounters that boost creativity and innovation.
Images from left to right:
1. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions, courtyard, photo Tim Griffiths
2. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions, informal work spaces, photo Tim Griffiths
3. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions, open-air garden and exercise deck, photo Tim Griffiths
The design ensures that each employee is no more than one level away from fresh air and a landscaped, outdoor space. Open-air garden decks lie between every two office floors for breaks away from the office environment, where employees can socialise, relax and work. Fitness facilities and leisure spaces are also located on the garden levels to increase connections and promote a healthy work-life balance. Nap pods and music rooms also encourage staff to find happiness, stimulation and serenity while at work.
Creating the ideal tech workplace starts with people, so a person’s health and spatial experience were considered from the beginning of the project. With its high visibility, the courtyard is a central place for work sessions, impromptu meetings and casual conversation, driving productive encounters. This courtyard also allows daylight to penetrate into the interior of the floorplate, providing abundant natural light, which is critical to productivity and wellbeing.
Innovation is fuelled by the exchange of ideas in a vibrant, well-connected environment so a variety of work zones were designed to empower employees and cater for a wide range of work styles and needs. Every member of staff can therefore find a work space where they feel comfortable while also being exposed to the kind of serendipitous encounters that boost creativity and innovation.
Images from left to right:
1. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions, courtyard, photo Tim Griffiths
2. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions, informal work spaces, photo Tim Griffiths
3. Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., America Headquarters, Device Solutions, open-air garden and exercise deck, photo Tim Griffiths
|
|
|
SelgasCaño
Second Home co-working space
2014
SelgasCaño designed Second Home, a co-working space concept for around 30 startup companies. The studios have many rental possibilities, all highly elastic, that vary from a single workspace in a large common area designed for a maximum of 75 people to studios for 5,7 or 10 workers or a larger studio that can hold up to 20.
The most important aspect of the space were the common zones, open to any user of the complex. There are seven meeting rooms, various rest areas for reading or chatting, a large cafeteria, and a large mixed work-events zone that can accomodate any type of activity, from morning yoga and pilates sessions to evening concerts, parties, dinners, conferences, films etc.
The intrinsic concept of Second Home involved the unavoidable – and ultimately fully accomplished – need to fill every corner and every area with small workspaces bathed in light, as well as the need to ensure access to each of the areas distributed around the edges.
While maximising the economy of the space, SelgasCaño have tried to limit the potential chaotic experience of the space with two design concepts: with constant visual and physical fluidity throughout the space, which will prevent users from feeling lost or locked into any particular place; and with total control over the acoustics, with the help of absorbent carpets and ceilings, and a continuous curved shape that scatters the sound in every direction. The use of continuity as an antidote to density increases the strength of the entire space, turning it into a single, united whole and making it seem larger and more spatious that it really is.
Images from left to right:
1. Second Home, café and informal work spaces, photo Iwan Baan
2. Second Home, communal spaces and circulation, photo Iwan Baan
3. Second Home, mixed use co-working space, photo Iwan Baan
4. Second Home, extensive use of biophilia, photo Iwan Baan
The most important aspect of the space were the common zones, open to any user of the complex. There are seven meeting rooms, various rest areas for reading or chatting, a large cafeteria, and a large mixed work-events zone that can accomodate any type of activity, from morning yoga and pilates sessions to evening concerts, parties, dinners, conferences, films etc.
The intrinsic concept of Second Home involved the unavoidable – and ultimately fully accomplished – need to fill every corner and every area with small workspaces bathed in light, as well as the need to ensure access to each of the areas distributed around the edges.
While maximising the economy of the space, SelgasCaño have tried to limit the potential chaotic experience of the space with two design concepts: with constant visual and physical fluidity throughout the space, which will prevent users from feeling lost or locked into any particular place; and with total control over the acoustics, with the help of absorbent carpets and ceilings, and a continuous curved shape that scatters the sound in every direction. The use of continuity as an antidote to density increases the strength of the entire space, turning it into a single, united whole and making it seem larger and more spatious that it really is.
Images from left to right:
1. Second Home, café and informal work spaces, photo Iwan Baan
2. Second Home, communal spaces and circulation, photo Iwan Baan
3. Second Home, mixed use co-working space, photo Iwan Baan
4. Second Home, extensive use of biophilia, photo Iwan Baan
|
|