Psychological Impact of Architecture and Design
An average person spends about 80 percent of time indoors in working and living spaces. Thus, space, lighting, acoustics, color, and aesthetics can play a large role in the behavioral psychology of the individual. Successful design has been shown to have clear psychological and physiological impacts. In a typical office, employees have a safe, comfortable environment in which to work – one that may be considered fine or adequate, but which doesn’t necessarily inspire. Ideal workplace should be designed to not only address the needs and values of the company, but also for the empowerment and well-being of the individual employees. Architectural style has evolved over time as the preferences of the general public have changed, and as new materials and building processes have been discovered.
The Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report says that an astounding 87% of workers would like healthier workspace benefits such as wellness rooms and ergonomic seating. 93% of employees from the tech industry said they would even stay longer at a company that provided these benefits. This report also shows how recent workplace trends such as increased time and workload pressures, open-plan layouts and too much screen time, are negatively impacting employees health. The most highlighted and counterproductive of them all—sitting still. So, how do you transform an ineffective workplace into something that is attractive and productive?
By emphasizing key design and architectural elements from the beginning of the development process, a workplace can contribute to employees’ identifying with a sense of purpose, and wellness.
At Exotistic Design Studio, we believe that the following concepts, in particular, make offices much more welcoming and effective:
Clustering flexible workstations to encourage movement.
When people become glued to a particular place, they are more likely to encounter thinking or creative blocks. Finding ways to encourage your employees to move around will pay off in increased productivity. A shared space of encouragement, respect, and recognition is sometimes what pushes people to go the extra mile at work. Various perspectives can also mingle without segregation from partitions inside an open office. The best office layouts are flexible in accommodating both public and private spaces.
creating chance encounters between knowledge workers, both inside and outside the organization, improves performance.
Create informal gathering spaces
“The most creative ideas aren’t going to come while sitting in front of your monitor,” says Scott Birnbaum, a vice president of Samsung Semiconductor. Merging digital communication patterns with physical space can increase the probability of interactions that lead to innovation and productivity. Intentionally carving out informal spaces into the open office environment provide a spatial/visual break and allow for different types of collaboration and work to occur. This is what are doing while designing commercial spaces at Exotistic Design Studio. We believe in the adage that "teamwork can make the dream work"
Biophilic Design in the Workplace
One of the ‘founding fathers’ of the psychology behind biophilia was Edward O Wilson. He coined the term Biophilia. A series of studies from Exeter University concluded that employees were 15% more productive when “lean” workplaces were filled with just a few houseplants, as employees who actively engage with their surroundings are more efficient and more creative workers. The color green also boosts creativity and productivity. Tech giant, Apple, for example, planted 10,000 trees in their headquarters, providing a natural space to satisfy people's biophilic needs. There is huge potential for improving and making a positive impact on employee wellbeing through human-centered design. When you work with Exotistic Design Studio, a firm that understands the powerful impact of design on happiness and productivity, you will better serve your workers and have a much more successful enterprise.
And finally it all boils down to ..
“The function of design is letting design function.” - Micha Commeren, designer
Come up with a design strategy that works for your business. Experienced architecture firms can help you find these solutions. If you’re ready to incorporate these office architecture concepts into your building, contact Exotistic Design Studio today.
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