Monthly Archives: September 2015

Study Shows Employees Work Best in Well-Designed Office Spaces

Maximising the productivity of employees may be down to how well the office furniture is arranged, whether the environment is designed well, and how the space “works”. According to a recent study, employees who work in more natural environments are 6 percent more productive and report overall higher levels of well-being and creativity.

Office worker shown seated whilst making a phone callThe Impact of Office Environments on Employees

The report, entitled The Global Impact of Biophilic Design, describes how office design is affected by the presence (or absence) of natural light, decorative plants, windows, and a private desk space. The absence of one or more of these elements has an adverse impact on the well-being of employees. Key findings include:

  • Almost half of workers around the globe (47%) have no natural light in their workplace.
  • 58% have no live plants in their workplace.
  • 19% have no natural elements around them at work
  • Almost one fifth (19%) desired a quieter office environment, citing noise as a stressor.

Does Biophilic Design Improve Productivity?
Biophilic Design is the skill of bringing natural elements into spaces humans inhabit. It lies somewhere between interior design and architecture, introducing nature into the workplace to satisfy the needs of every human being to connect meaningfully with their environment. The main focus is on urban spaces in city centres and towns where people congregate for leisure or work. The Human Spaces global study shows biophilic designed offices result in calmer, more restorative workplaces where increased productivity and creativity is related to improved individual behaviour. This leads to better organisational outcomes, including lower stress reports, higher satisfaction levels and improved perceptions of well-being and happiness with the organisation as a whole.

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