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The science of the workspace
Where do we spend our time?
6% vehicles
7% outdoors
87% indoors
The office environment influences happiness and productivity
Acoustics Lighting
Heating
Ventilation
Air conditioning
Furniture and space
Ergonomic designErgonomic Design: the practice of designing products, systems or processes to take proper account of the interaction between them and the people who use them
A desk setup should:1. Provide optimum comfort 2. Avoid stress or injury3. Increase productivity4. Promote clear thinking
Rounded furniture
Sitting in a circle provokes a collective mindset
The effects of rounded furniture on people’s emotions
Each setting rated in terms of: o Pleasure (how happy or
hopeful)o Approach (how much time
they'd like to spend in the room; how sociable the room made them feel)
Curvilinear (rounded) furniture provokes significantly higher ratingso More comfortable, inviting,
calming and pleasant.Source: Dazkir, S. and Read, M. (2011). Furniture Forms and Their Influence on Our
Emotional Responses Toward Interior Environments. Environment and Behavior DOI:10.1177/0013916511402063.
Furniture & space in the office
• Location and position of a desk is important
• Furniture that team members can rearrange themselves
• Accessible, private, soundproof work areas
• Higher ceilings
Color
Colors influence emotional states
Energy, attention to detail, alert, aggressive
Promoting new ideas, comforting, calming
Stimulating, bright, cozy, brainstorming
Open, neutral, sterileIntellect, wisdomCreativity, sophistication
Lighting
Lighting affects how you think
DimIdea
generation, creativity,
focus
BrightAnalytical and
evaluative thinking, increased
productivity
Luminous Flux
Luminance
Luminous Intensity
Luminous Efficacy
Luminous Excitance
Illuminance
Lumens
Lux
All these fancy terms to say…
Day Lightis best.
Natural lighting is better than overhead lighting
Overhead lighting
Headaches, eye strain
Fatigue Feelings of
sleepiness at the end of the day
Natural lighting
Boosts efficiency Workers sleep
better and show up well-rested
Increased productivity
Sound
Sound causes stressSound is the most scientifically-proven workplace drain!
Higher levels of epinephrine in workers who were exposed to low levels of noise, when compared to workers exposed to no noise.
Source: Evans, G.W. and Johnson, D. (2001). Stress and open-office noise. Journal of Applied Psychology DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.85.5.779.
Loud ambient noise can lead to:
• Negative moods• Inability to concentrate• Health Issues• Stress: worsen all stress-related conditions
like coronary diseases, high blood pressure, peptic ulcers or migraine headaches.
There are all these scientific formulas and tools to identify a noise
problem
Solutions to a noisy workspace
• Using noise-cancelling headphones• Listening to music• Providing a quiet place to go when
extreme focus is needed• Installing acoustical ceiling tiles/wall
panels/dividers/carpet
Temperature
Temperature affects productivity
• Cooler temperatures are the top cause of afternoon productivity lags.
• 20°C or lower in an office increases work errors.
• Above 20°C, typing errors drop by 44% and typing output increases by 150%
• Workers are most productive in temperatures between 21°C and 25°C.
Ventilation
Air qualityASHRAE sets rigorous indoor air quality specifications
Consequences of bad ventilation:• Asthma• Skin irritation• Sinus congestion• Headaches• Allergies• Coughing• Dry throat• Mould growth• CO2 accumulation• Increased accidents• SICK BUILDING SYNDROME!
Building symptoms of ventilation problems
• Stuffy or stale conditions• Odors• Humidity, dampness, window condensation• Pressure imbalances• Noise or drafts from vents• Dust and dirt accumulation• Hot/cold spots• Comfort or health issues• High utility costs
Productivity
Comfortable, well-lit, well-ventilated, safe
workplaces increase
Productivity by
16%
Job satisfaction
by
24%
Staying on task
by
15%