High Performing Environments
Leesman is an organization dedicated to improving the employee experience and creating high performing work environments. In their latest report, “The Next 250K,” they surveyed 250,000 employees in order to learn more about what drives productivity in the workplace. They discovered that office design plays an important role. Currently, only 57% believe that their workplace enables them to work productively. This means a large portion of employees do not have workplaces that support their basic working day, obstructing their ability to positively contribute to business success.
Productivity Insights
Leesman’s research revealed that employees need a balanced work environment that supports all activities. In the report, employees listed “Thinking/creative thinking”, “Reading”, and ‘“Individual focused work, desk based” as the areas needing the most design support because things such as occupant density and noise levels were affecting individual productivity. Supporting creativity and collaboration still ranked as an important factor in overall productivity. According to Facility Executive, the key to creating a high performing environment is to provide dedicated areas for both individual and team work.
Office Design Tips
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering an planning firm that specializes in innovative and sustainable design. With more than 60 years of design experience, HOK has some of the best office design tips for improving both the productivity and wellness of your employees.
- Office Temperature: HVAC&R Research discovered that the optimal temperature for office productivity is is 70.88 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider underfloor air, which provides individual control of air flow, or zoned temperature controls.
- Access to Nature, Views and Daylight: Daylight, as well as opportunities for active and passive contact with nature, positively impact well-being and keep employees’ daily waking and sleeping cycles in check. Try to organize the office so that spaces around the windows are the most open. Also, include plants in the office design and consider creating an outdoor break area.
- Sensory Change and Variability: When a work environment is stimulating, employees feel an increased level of focus creative drive. You can introduce “texture” into a space by using natural materials such as wood, cork, plants, natural fibers.
- Color: Color can mean different things to different people, but there are generalizations about how color is likely to be perceived, especially in the office. For example, incorporate pops of reds, blues and greens for higher focus and task accuracy and pops of yellow and orange for improved decision making abilities and self esteem levels.
- Physical Activity and Ergonomics: Designing a work space for human comfort and encouraging activity will help improve both productivity and health overtime. Provide adjustable furniture such as adjustable chairs, task lights, sit-to-stand desks and keyboard trays, so individuals can adjust their work spaces to meet their needs. Also, encourage employees to take the stairs and participate in walking meetings.
For more information on creating a high performing office space, click here!
