Increasing Productivity In The Office Environment
Increasing productivity by bringing nature into the office environment is part of the new workspace design ethos. Workstations that overlook garden courtyards, reception areas that feature wall aquariums, conference rooms with planted living walls… all of these things impart a sense of connection with nature and life beyond the confinement of the office. An office plan that incorporates the outdoors into a comfortable place to work with plenty of natural light, warm colors, comfortable places to sit or gather for meetings with comfortable chairs are all conspiring to increase productivity in the office work environment.
A growing number of organizations, from Google to the federal government, are incorporating nature into their office plans, not just to earn green building points, but to reduce employee stress, improve cognitive function and encourage creative thinking. Google’s interest in biophilic design is probably best personified by its Healthy Materials Program, a corporate-wide program that screens building products for hazardous or health-questionable substances and seeks bio-based alternatives to items of concern. In addition, the company has issued guidelines for designing sunlight and fresh air into workplaces wherever possible.
Biophilic design is a mindset that incorporates nature into the fundamental design of buildings, retail spaces and cityscapes for the betterment of the people who dwell there. Leading this trend is Terrapin Bright Green, with their 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design . Integrating plants alongside structural architecture gives nature a voice, it articulates the relationship between the built environment and the natural environment.
As a designer, what this brings home to me is how interconnected we all are to nature and to each other, as employees and as human beings. We all seek connection. In business and in leisure.
Improvements in technology and awareness about the importance of humanizing the workspace by bringing the outdoors inside, has seen office design embrace living walls, green roofs, and other creative natural structures. Traditional container plants and large scale interior designscapes in public spaces like restaurants, upscale hotels, shopping centers, universities, hospitals, corporate headquarters and schools have lead the way on this design trend. Workplace design experts agree that the office isn’t just a place we work anymore. We spend more than a third of our day in our workplace environments! Among the challenges companies face is attracting and keeping the best talent, and ensuring their tenure through the well-being and comfort of their physical workspace.
It is exciting to see the principles of green design and well-being come into the office as a pervasive trend in 2016. Employers are realizing that making the workplace more appealing also makes their employees more productive because they are healthier and happier. Embracing healthy workplaces improves the bottom line. Many companies strive to create a team centric culture of inclusiveness within their workforce. The inclusion of more light, plants and nature among the desks and meeting areas will add a sense of wellbeing to that cultural dynamic. Added ergonomics in the form of sit/stand desk options and impromptu meeting spaces nestled among the greenery of an open office space could encourage more creative dialog and sharing of ideas.
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MEET JULIE SHEAFFER: Julie can provide you with answers and furnishing choices to fit your green office eeds. Her combined product expertise and application knowledge can help you create an environment that will meet and exceed your aesthetic and functional needs. Contact Julie at 888-910-3769 x129 or julie@officefurniturenow.com.
