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%