The Importance of Good Office Design

Jojo T
Jojo T
Jul 24, 2017 · 4 min read
Image source: thirdway.co

For many of us, a good portion of our waking hours are spent at our workplace. It should be a place that fosters productivity, co-worker cohesivity, health and wellbeing. Not only should the office space be designed to suit the functions of the work being done, but it also needs to be comfortable and welcoming. Putting time and thought into office space planning can go a long way in creating a healthy and productive work environment for everybody.

An office space is more than just computers, furniture and cubicle walls. Human factors can’t be ignored and should be central to any design process. Organic workspaces are derived from an understanding of how people work and how physical space affects the following:

Health

There is no doubt that office design impacts physical and mental health. Examples of design elements that have the potential to enhance health include:

Layout

Open-plan designs are becoming increasingly more popular and have their pros and cons, including more space for movement and facilitation of communication and collaboration, but less privacy and more distractions. Including multiple working stations can help reduce sitting time, promote movement, and provide choice and flexibility. Moveable walls can divide a space, route power, and help minimize visual and noise distractions.

Lighting

Natural light is one of the most desired office space elements and essential in any organic workspace. Increased natural light leads to improved moods, boosts vitamin D levels, better sleep, and can positively influence learning, creativity, and productivity. Proper task lighting is also important to reduce eye strain and headaches.

image source: http://blog.louielighting.com/

Air Quality

Adequate air circulation, ventilation, and temperature are key for health. Indoor air quality is often worse than outdoors2 and poor air quality can lead to health problems like allergies, respiratory issues, poor concentration, headaches and fatigue. Add plants, maintain a comfortably cool temperature, and install raised access flooring to improve office air quality.

Furniture

Provide access to ergonomic office furniture throughout the space. This means ensuring furniture and equipment is comfortable and promotes proper posture, thereby reducing injuries caused by repetitive strain. Offering sit-stand desks is one way to reduce sitting and encourage workers to change positions frequently throughout the day.

Humans aren’t designed to sit all day. Sitting too much is linked to detrimental health outcomes like earlier death, heart disease and diabetes — even if you exercise regularly1. An office space that encourages less sitting and more movement throughout the day is important.

The space can also affect mental health. Minimizing noise distractions, optimizing air and light quality, choosing calming colours, and providing separate spaces for personal work and collaborative work all contribute to worker happiness and satisfaction.

Productivity

Workers are more productive when they are happy, healthy, and comfortable. It makes sense that many of the factors that influence health also directly impact productivity. Workers also need the tools and resources at the right place and right time to get their jobs done. A well-organized clutter-free space enhances productivity. Effective storage office solutions are aesthetically pleasing, easily accessible, and fit the workers’ needs.

Inclusivity & Collaboration

Offering a variety of workspaces can promote collaboration amongst workers, leading to increased creativity, productivity and satisfaction. It is important that all workers feel included as part of a cohesive team and welcoming lounge spaces, bright lunch rooms, spacious boardrooms, and work stations with easy access to technology are just a few contributing elements.

Reflects Culture

An office’s physical space creates the foundation for a company’s culture. For example, a company that values team-building and collaboration would benefit from an office space that has many informal spaces, a flexible environment, and a low ratio of individual to group spaces. Another company that is more result-driven and competitive would likely prefer more individual spaces and a more structured layout.

Brooks Corning is committed to helping you create a sustainable, healthy, and productive space — from design to the finishing touches. Contact us to get started today!

References

  1. Young, Deborah Rohm, Marie-France Hivert, Sofiya Alhassan, Sarah M. Camhi, Jane F. Ferguson, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, Cora E. Lewis, Neville Owen, Cynthia K. Perry, Juned Siddique, and Celina M. Yong. “Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.” Circulation134.13 (2016): n. pag. Web.
  2. “Introduction to Indoor Air Quality.” EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 Jan. 2017. Web. 13 July 2017.

Jojo T

Written by

Jojo T

Working in a creative industry and loves tech and it changes the world. Let’s share!

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