Element Four Sets New Sustainable Building Standard: Achieves UK's Highest Fitwel Certification Two Years in a Row
Element Four delivered the UK’s highest-scoring Fitwel Certified project two years in a row.
Sustainability consultancy Element Four has achieved the Fitwel Best in Building Health Highest Scoring Project recognition for two years in a row.
Element Four is excited to celebrate the HERE Building in Reading for attaining the Highest Scoring Project in both the Built and the Design categories; the building will also become the world's first commercial development to receive a Fitwel 3-Star Rating, BREEAM Outstanding and RESET Air certifications all at once.
Formerly part of the Microsoft campus, the HERE Building is part of a major renovation project of Buildings 4 and 5 at Thames Valley Park, which V7 ASSET MANAGEMENT LLP developed. Element Four worked with the design and construction team, establishing a sustainability plan to achieve numerous environmental, social, and governance wins. This project is setting a new standard for business park buildings, providing companies and individuals with a healthy, connected and efficient environment to thrive and achieve whole life net carbon zero. Element Four also supported the team in sharing building data and lessons learned with LETI (London Energy Transformation Initiative), contributing to industry learning and enabling a faster route to achieve global sustainability goals.
For more information about the award, please visit: https://www.fitwel.org/blog/here-building-health-promoting-workplace-design
Pearson Lloyd's CoLab: Empowering Students and Teachers with Versatile Learning Spaces
CoLab is the result of Pearson Lloyd's extensive project with Senator, which delves into exploring emerging higher-education models and evolving approaches to work.
In collaboration with the Trent Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) at Nottingham Trent University, Pearson Lloyd identified a crucial requirement for an informal, multi-modal, and multi-posture tech-enabled learning space, which they aptly named the 'café classroom.' CoLab's innovative environment serves dual purposes, accommodating both formal learning and informal peer-to-peer collaboration without the need for space reconfiguration. This not only enhances the efficiency in space utilization but also allows the activation of redundant classrooms, maximizing the potential of the available area.
Through the creation of various relaxed and informal learning environments like creative hubs, quiet nooks, social labs, and team touchdowns, CoLab transcends the limitations of conventional classroom settings confined by four walls. Instead, it extends the learning experience into spaces like the café, library, atrium, corridor, or common room, actively encouraging students and teachers to engage in open discussions and collaborative activities even after traditional formal teaching sessions.
CoLab's construction emphasizes both durability and robustness, making it ideal for everyday use, while its warm, welcoming aesthetic and engaging tactility reflect the essence of hospitality furniture. Furthermore, its design adheres to circular design principles, ensuring that each component product in the system can be effortlessly repaired, promoting sustainability and longevity.
Recognizing its outstanding features, CoLab was honored with the prestigious Gold award in the Education Solutions category and Silver in the Collections for Collaboration category at the NeoCon 23 Awards. This recognition further cements its position as a transformative solution for education and collaborative spaces.
With CoLab, Pearson Lloyd and Senator have ushered in a new era of versatile, adaptable, and inspiring learning environments that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.
A Remarkable Revamp: Squire & Partners' Retrofitted Workspace at 78 St James's Street Sets New Standards for Collaborative Design
Project:
78 St James’s Street for BentallGreenOak
Twenty years after Squire & Partners first worked on the building, the members' club and subsequent private HQ building have been transformed into 100,000 sq ft of prime multi-tenant workspace, with 10,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art amenities, wellness facilities, and a rooftop terrace. BentallGreenOak approached Squire & Partners with the brief to reimagine and transform 78 St James's Street into a highly collaborative, clubhouse-style working environment with a variety of spaces that can be used twenty-four hours a day to support modern working patterns.
Squire & Partners' architecture and interior design teams have worked in tandem to create optimal workspace accommodation and facilities. Generous, state-of-the-art amenities have been sensitively incorporated into Grade II* listed areas of the building, offering tenants an exclusive experience while reinstating the remarkable spaces the building was originally designed to offer.
78 St James's Street has received a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent.' Carbon emissions have been minimized by reusing the existing building fabric and retaining 80% of its structure. By introducing electric plant and machinery on site, the project was completed without the use of diesel – saving over 5,550 kg CO2e during the build.
Tim Gledstone, Partner at Squire & Partners, says, "Modern ways of working require much more than a desk. Designed to be used twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 78 St James's Street offers state-of-the-art facilities as well as space to innovate, collaborate, and entertain."
Photo Credits: Jack Hobhouse
Other Credits:
Client - BentallGreenOak
Structural Engineer - Bridges Pound
MEP - Hurley Palmer Flatt
Project & Cost Management - Gardiner & Theobald
Planning Consultant - DP9
Landscape Design - Bowles & Wyer
Lighting Design - Speirs Major
Hybrid Workforce Transformation: How Business Lounges Redefine European Offices
In the age of hybrid working, what can be done to encourage people back into the office? With the draws of remote working discouraging workers from returning to more traditional approach to work, the workplace as we know it has changed forever. In an effort to combat this dwindling presence, a new concept was created by international real estate organisation Vastint and designed by turnerbates Design & Architecture.
This revitalisation of the traditional office space has been coined the ‘Business Lounge’. Soon to be found in multiple countries across Europe, the Business Lounge combines the comforts of the work from home lifestyle with the collaborative and social benefits of working in an office. The concept was first conceived by Mark Burke, Romans Astahovs and Kestutis Vedeckis from Vastint as an addition to their growing portfolio in Business Gardens across Europe and other prime locations. turnerbates Design & Architecture, who have worked with Vastint on projects across Europe for over 8 years, were asked to create Business Lounge spaces that were both functional and welcoming. As specialists in commercial workplace and hospitality design, turnerbates have used their extensive experience to create hybrid spaces that are adapted for working and productivity but are also welcoming and relaxed.
In a recent article written by founder of Inspire Real Estate Advisory John Gabrovic, the Business Garden concept was hailed as an “innovative solution” to the outdated workplace concept. With a particular spotlight on the Business Garden in Vilnius, Lithuania, John highlights that turnerbates’ project for Vastint Lithuania sets the curve for revitalising the office environment. The Business Garden concept responds to the evolving hybrid office model, offering flexible work zones within a warm and welcoming interior, bringing a sense of crossover with a hospitality environment.
Design & Architecture studio turnerbates plays a key role in developing these spaces, particularly The Lounge – an important element in the Business Garden concept. Found within two Business Gardens in Riga and Vilnius, and with a smaller ‘City Lounge’ recently opening in central Vilnius, The Lounge is set apart by its versatility. These multi-functional spaces create relaxed areas that encourage tenants and visitors to collaborate, socialise, and work. Every Lounge has flexible zones suited to different types of work. Tenants can brainstorm in the project room and cosy snug, take calls in the private phone booths, attend conferences or simply relax in the social space.
Business Garden Vilnius utilises a large space of 42,000 m² with innovative results – the ground floor area was designed by turnerbates, and includes a coffee shop, The Forum events space, a bar and restaurant, and social areas for tenants and visitors. The Lounge sits within these impressive amenities as a welcome alternative to the traditional work environment. Howard Bates, director of turnerbates and project lead, said of The Lounge “We needed to make this space significantly different from a typical office environment. It had to be a lot warmer, a lot more inviting, giving a sense of a crossover with a typical hospitality space. We aimed to bring this feeling to The Lounge, making it a place where you want to be, where it doesn’t necessarily seem like you’re at work”.
The Lounge’s community-focused approach to the work environment is making a positive impact in offices across Europe. Award-winning Design & Architecture studio turnerbates is currently working on three other Lounge Projects in France, Belgium and Poland, in addition to the Lounges already dotted across Europe. There is no singular blueprint for these designs - The Lounge is uniquely tailored to every location, allowing the culture of the country to adapt the design. Howard Bates speaks of The Lounge’s unique qualities: “Each Lounge is not designed to be the same. They have the similar component parts, but the space is treated slightly differently,” Howard continues the story, “Working with the Vastint Lithuania project team was great fun. The Vilnius Lounge is much bigger than the one in Riga with open dark ceilings and exposed services. Our team created big impact graphics which gives the place a unique identity.”
Managing Director of Vastint Lithuania Kestutis Vedeckis adds: “In the Snug in Vilnius we feature something we’re quite good at as a nation — basketball. Working with turnerbates, we drew inspiration from our famous artist George Maciunas, who was a part of the world-famous Fluxus art movement in the US.” Not only is The Lounge a welcoming area to work and socialise, it’s a place to connect to your creative side, far away from stereotypical stuffy cubicle desks and monotonous days.
Sustainability plays a large part in these transformative workplace projects, too. Following the Vastint sustainability ethos, The Lounge was designed using quality materials with high recycled content. From the kitchen panels to the flooring, turnerbates makes a concerted effort to use recycled materials in their designs. Director Howard Bates says “we wanted to make sure that we weren’t just buying in disposable materials. That we can recycle these materials after they will have been used. The use of locally sourced timber and soft materials, continuously focusing on sustainability — all that conveys the Vastint values through the interior of the Lounge.”
Business Garden Vilnius has been internationally appraised for their sustainability solutions, and it is one of only 10 buildings in Europe that have received a LEED Platinum score of 95 or higher. Vastint and turnerbates demonstrate a distinct commitment to the environment, and this is evident down to the last detail of the design.
Vastint’s Business Garden and The Lounge present a transformative new approach to the workplace environment. Offering a refreshing outlook on how the workplace can be collaborative, creative and productive, the Business Garden is absolutely ahead of the curve in workspace design.
Suppliers/contractors for Vastint Vilnius:
• Joinery - Moon Division
• Timber Terrazzo Suppliers - Forreso
• Carpets & Rugs – Object Carpet
• LVT floor - Interface
• Textiles - Kvadrat
• Lighting – Iguzzini
Client: Vastint Lithuania
Facility: Multifunctional workspace
Size: 42,000 m²
Status: Completed
Miles More Than A ‘New Showroom’ In Clerkenwell
With so many professionals in Clerkenwell for the Design Week, it was the perfect opportunity for Stansons to throw open it’s showroom doors, for the very first time.
However, it is so much more than an elegant, sustainable showroom.
It brings together a community of like-minded designers delivering spaces where people come first. Stansons revealed an inspiring, paradigm-shifting space that opens a haven of ideas for people looking to create high performance workspaces. It unlocks opportunities to create cultures where people flourish and can be the very best version of themselves.
It’s a sensory environment where you tangibly feel calm and peace. Perfectly harmonising the use of light, sound and textures the brand have created new era for human centric design. Utilising curtains, acoustics and zoning structures from it’s core range of products you can experience the unlimited potential to revolutionise any office design.
It’s abundantly apparent that Stansons is centred on people, and that vision wholeheartedly embraces sustainability. It’s not a task but rather a mindset, a way of life. It’s the company’s DNA.
Everything in the stunning new space has a charming story. From finding a new life for it’s window display or giving bar stools from eBay a second chance, everything is considered. Likewise it’s own products offer you the chance to see the first 100% recycled plastic curtain fabric, and textiles from pre-loved wool. It’s a heart-warming experience.
Experience Stansons expressing elegance in a sustainable way. ?Visit; 19 Pear Tree Street.
Who are Stansons?
Stansons design, make and install an extensive range of products from curtains, zoning, acoustics and window blinds to support designers in creating happy, healthy workplaces.
For more information, visit www.stansons.co.uk
Davidson Elevates Performance with EchoPanel® by Woven Image
Project Information
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Products used: Zen, EchoPanel® Element, EchoPanel® 24mm & 12mm, EchoPanel® Longitude and EchoPanel® Latitude
Designer: COMMUNiTI
Installer: Complete Joinery Solutions, Focus Fitout
Date: 2020
Photography: Mindi Cooke
Leader in improving workplace performance, Davidson outfitted their new location to enable their 60+ employees to work effectively. Designer, Communiti selected a range of Woven Image’s acoustic finishes to visually communicate the brand and its culture. The reception areas’ stunning ceiling hosts EchoPanel® in both 12mm and 24mm, which was used to create beautiful acoustic baffles in colours cream, navy and grey. EchoPanel® Element was also used extensively through the office, maintaining control of sound reverberation throughout the open floor space while contributing to colour and shape. Moreover, EchoPanel® Longitude and EchoPanel® Latitude were creatively cut as quaint pieces to supplement whiteboard workspaces, serving crucially as acoustic sound absorbers to support flexible working.
“The EchoPanel® Element system created a polished and professional finish for the open ceiling in the Davidson office work area. The suspended grid provided great visual interest contrasted against the dark ceiling, without the feeling of lowering the ceiling whilst also enhancing the acoustics of the space.” - Melissa Marsden, Director & Founder of COMMUNiTI
The extensive colour palette of EchoPanel® easily catered to the client’s colour communication. Overall, the chosen colour pallet is fresh, with intense blues and cool tints. Bright colours are added to give feelings of openness and belonging in the office. With an extensive colour palette, EchoPanel® Longitude and EchoPanel® Latitude were seen in splashes of pacific, coronet, blush, ivy and jade. Davidson’s brand colour navy blue is seen in an operable wall prominently featuring Zen Embossed Panels.
COMMUNiTI also chose Woven Image for our aligned dedication to sustainability in design. EchoPanel®, which is made using 60% recycled plastic, boasts many environmental credentials including, Global GreenTag™ GreenRATE A and Platinum Health Declaration, Declare ingredient transparency and is Red List Free with low VOC emissions.
With acoustic properties, tactile surfaces and an extensive colour palette, Woven Image’s acoustic finishes became vital components to optimise the ability for Davidson staff to work in a setting with a variety of spaces existing and overlapping with uninterrupted sightlines. Areas for collaboration, quiet booths and lounging areas were all purposefully designed and integrated using our decorative acoustic panels.
Design Institute of Australia gave this design an Award of Merit by celebrating innovative, sustainable and impactful design. Woven Image is proud to contribute to an award-winning workplace design with sustainability and workplace wellbeing at its core.
To know more, visit www.wovenimage.com.
PLP Architecture Transforms London's Skyline with 22 Bishopsgate: A Vertical Village Redefining Urban Living
22 Bishopsgate, the impressive tower designed by PLP Architecture in collaboration with AXA IM - Real Assets and Lipton Rogers Developments, has become an iconic landmark at the heart of the City of London's financial district. Standing tall as the tallest tower in the area, its innovative design and thoughtful approach have transformed the cityscape while respecting its historic surroundings, including the Bank of England Conservation Area.
Client
AXA Real Estate and Lipton Rogers Developments
Facility
Multi-tenant tower with offices, amenity spaces and public realm
Size
186,000m²
Status
Completed
The tower's distinctive twenty-three-sided, faceted glass form not only provides a strong architectural presence but also enhances the overall harmony among the surrounding towers. The emphasis on well-being is at the core of the design, with features that prioritize the individual's comfort and productivity. Higher ceilings, ample daylight control, improved air quality, and enhanced amenities contribute to supporting both traditional and new ways of working.
Beyond the office spaces, approximately 100,000 square feet are dedicated to facilities aimed at enhancing the everyday experience for both the building's occupants and the public. This vertical village concept caters to the needs of its 12,000 inhabitants, offering a comprehensive range of amenities and services.
The building boasts an impressive Bike Park, equipped with 1,699 spaces, showers, lockers, safety classes, and bicycle repair facilities, promoting sustainable commuting options. On the second level, The Market provides a vibrant culinary experience with open kitchens, fresh food options, and an inviting external terrace. The double-height Exchange on the seventh floor offers a nurturing environment for start-ups, providing co-working spaces, media suites, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities. The Gym features state-of-the-art training facilities, including a double-height glass climbing wall, high-altitude room, and personalized training classes, accompanied by a juice bar. For relaxation and well-being, The Retreat on the forty-first level offers Pilates, yoga, and health services. The Club on the fifty-seventh floor provides occupiers of any size a dedicated space for hosting clients and conferences.
Moreover, 22 Bishopsgate establishes a positive relationship with the city and the public. Pedestrian access is revitalized at the base, transforming the area into a landscaped public open space, inviting people to enjoy the surroundings. The building incorporates various systems and practices to enhance well-being in the public realm, including wind mitigation canopies and a streamlined delivery management system that reduces vehicle trips and emissions. At the summit, five levels of restaurants, bars, and an open-air terrace offer breathtaking views and a unique way to experience the city.
Art and craftsmanship are seamlessly integrated into the architectural design, continuing the legacy of the City Guilds. The entrance hall, resembling a multi-level art gallery, showcases curated temporary exhibits, while permanent installations, such as Alexander Beleschenko's glass canopies and Bill Amberg's handcrafted reception 'library,' add an extra layer of sophistication. Furniture artist Pierre Renart's sculptural walnut pieces further elevate the aesthetic, while artist Bruce McLean contributes bold and vibrant art to each passenger lift car, complementing the speed and efficiency of London's fastest lifts.
Smart technologies are at the forefront of 22 Bishopsgate, providing a seamless experience from the front door to every corner of the tower. Opt-in facial recognition technology simplifies staff entry, and QR entry codes sent with visitors' meeting invitations eliminate the need for a traditional reception desk queue. Friendly and helpful roving receptionists are available to assist as needed. The tower's low-iron glass closed-cavity facade, equipped with operable blinds, allows 55% light transmission, significantly surpassing standard insulated glazing. A custom mobile app empowers tenants to personalize their environment, connect socially, and access a wide range of services and events.
With its WiredScore Platinum and ActiveScore Platinum certifications, 22 Bishopsgate exemplifies the highest standards of connectivity and sustainability. The tower has been designed to achieve both a BREEAM Excellent rating and WELL Certification, demonstrating its commitment to environmental responsibility and the well-being of its occupants.
22 Bishopsgate represents a transformative approach to urban living and workplace design, offering a harmonious blend of functionality, aesthetics, and community engagement. As a Vertical Village, it sets a new standard for future developments, redefining the urban experience in London's financial district and beyond.
MCM Triumphs at BCO 2023 Awards with Multiple Wins
MCM are proud to announce that Diageo’s Global HQ are WINNERS of a 2023 BCO Award for the Best ‘Fit Out of Workplace’.
The project vision was to create a premium workspace that supported an inclusive and purpose led culture. An inspirational and truly sustainably conscious destination that was fit for the future and re-establishes the business within the heart of London’s hospitality community.
Diageo’s Global HQ has delivered on this vision.
It is a new destination where workspace, brand, hospitality and experiences co-mingle and connect to create an inspiring new home. It is both a place and a space at the same time. A place to meet, to share, to learn, to be inspired and moreover to enjoy and to celebrate. It is also a space, through its integrated technology, that supports all forms of interaction, creativity, collaboration and connection. Owing to the environment created, the people of DIAGEO and their customers, now choose to come here. The space is alive. It has become a destination.
Client: DIAGEO
Project Manager: JLL
Interior Designer: MCM
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: Cundall
Structural Engineer: The Morton Partnership
AV Consultant: Cordless
Contractor: Shell & Core: ISG | CAT A & CAT B: ISG
Developer: Lazari Properties
If you would like to learn more about these projects, please contact: [email protected]
Studio Pringle's Renovation Breathes New Energy into FCA Offices
Former RIBA president Jack Pringle’s new practice has completed its renovation of watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority’s Edinburgh offices, which are now a base for 200 staff.
Pringle, who was RIBA president from 2005-07, launched Studio Pringle with daughters Maxine and Frankie in 2021, following his exit from US firm Perkins & Will where he was EMEA chief.
Pringle co-founded Pringle Brandon with Chris Brandon in 1986 before selling the business to Perkins & Will in 2012.
Maxine Pringle, who is a former associate director at the late Will Allsop’s All Design, led on the FCA scheme, which is Studio Pringle’s first major project. Both she and Frankie are graduates of the Bartlett School of Architecture.
Studio Pringle’s renovation of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Edinburgh offices
Frankie Pringle worked with her father at Perkins & Will before moving out of architecture to work at shared office provider WeWork. She is innovations director at the new practice.
Studio Pringle said the FCA facility had been renovated by opening up a central atrium and connecting two levels with a spectacular staircase to encourage staff mixing, the breaking of organisational silos and collaboration within a wide choice of work settings.
As well as areas designed to foster interraction, the building also features a suite of confidential meeting rooms.
The office design is rooted in Edinburgh as a place and features colours from tartans, Scottish tweeds and blonde sandstone. References also include Edinburgh crystal and Scotland’s industrial heritage.
FCA chair Ashley Alder and executive director of markets Sarah Pritchard formally reopened the building last month.
Designing Workspaces that Promote Positive Employee Wellbeing through Empathy
In this article, the conversation between workplace design consultant Steve Brewer at Burtt-Jones & Brewer, Associate Director Mbali Chaise at iPWC Ltd, led by Vanessa Champion Editor and Publisher at the Journal of Biophilic Design, at the Workspace Design Show is discussed. The trio discusses how empathetic workplace design can positively impact employee wellbeing. The article explores how understanding the individual users of a workspace is the key to building empathy, which can lead to a more positive environment. It also touches on the importance of providing users with control over their space to tailor it to their individual needs. The article also highlights the importance of designing workspaces with the senses in mind and how engaging the workforce in the design process can result in a better, more effective workspace design.
Well, let's start with clarifying what the term empathetic means.
“Empathetic: showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another.”
So how can design play a part in what sounds like something that is behavioural?
1. What do we mean by an “empathetic workplace?”
To build true empathy in the workspace, we need to dive deep into understanding who works there, how they interact, and the impact of those interactions.
Taking time to know and understand the individual users of the workspace is at the core of crafting successfully empathetic workspaces and positive employee wellbeing.
Questionnaires, surveys, workshops and interviews, are key engagement tools for establishing a good understanding of the people that will use a workplace. By truly listening to the end user’s desired workplace experience, are we able to open up a world where we create environments tailored to support everyone.
When we take the time to gain an understanding of an office culture, it serves as more than just knowledge - it allows others to see and gain better understanding of each other, allowing us to build bridges between ourselves and our colleagues. These are the pieces of the jigsaw that all need to come together within this work environment and creating an “empathethic workplace”.
2. We often speak about human-centric design. What design elements do you include that have a direct positive impact on the wellbeing and motivation of people using the space? Can you give us examples as well?
Choice and ‘tailorism’ is what users are looking for, they crave control over the spaces they are using. A true diversity of spaces enables users to select working environments which are best for them at any given time.
The built environment is typically a fixed thing. Meaning, the windows don't open because that will mess with the air-conditioning. The lights come on, and go off. If you're lucky, you can choose how to make your own tea or coffee!
Working from home, which has increased more so over the years, where we all can open doors, turn the heating up, turn the lights on/off or angle that desktop light; has increased the desire to have the same type of flexibility and autonomy within the office workspace.
As we inch closer to having the perfect working environment at home, when in the office being able to tailor that experience down to lux levels and temperature to suit ourselves, on any given day is more challenging. There are elements that we can look at to enhance people's wellbeing and motivation when in the office.
The more choice of alternative work settings that make up a workplace i.e quiet areas/rooms and improved acoustics throughout, the more supported the workforce will feel, thus leading to higher levels of wellbeing and motivation.
However we need to ensure the implementation of these additional types of spaces are well utilised and serve a purpose. For example if there is the implementation of a wellbeing room, then also ensure the culture and the companies community supports and encourages the use of such a room! And it isn’t a token gesture of a poor quality room somewhere in the basement.
For ‘choice’ to succeed there must be a culture of trust, enabling users to utilise spaces without fear of judgement especially in relation to perceived lack of productivity.
3. Why is it important to design for the senses?
We are all individuals. And without sounding too frank, each of us has something going on. This could be from a bad Monday morning thanks to a tough weekend, to neurodiversity, to a sensitivity to lighting levels, or someone that struggles to work in a noisy office (who doesn’t, let’s be honest.)
By considering the impact of each environment on neighbouring users, by having more choice of work settings, these will go someway to being able to offer a better working environment for each of us.
Cohesively zone spaces i.e collaboration, focus, quiet for example, will also help. But people are people, so design with grey areas to allow for flexibility, this ensures that a user’s impact on their colleagues has been taken into consideration.
Also if you think about it, all our senses are constantly stimulated, wherever we are, even when we are sleeping. Nothing has changed to our physiology since our lives on the plains thousands and thousands of years ago, we are still the same “animals”. If we think we can shut ourselves off from what should be our natural state of experiencing life: fresh air, nature sound, circadian light, wood and the sensation of touching natural materials and indeed real food taste, then we are setting ourselves up for failure. Mentally and physically.
4. I’d like to talk a little about your design processes? How do you go about designing a workplace? How much engagement do you encourage from the workforce at all the different levels? Workshops; why is it important?
To build a good, solid, foundation for your design, we look to co-design with the people that are going to work within and engage with such a place..
But it’s not just about hearing what people would like in their newly designed place of work, but to help others understand that others are/will work from here too. Where tailorism can fit it, but also where compromise may be needed culturally.
Running surveys and workshops with a good cross section of staff is a given. Listening is great. But so is ensuring that people understand why, that timelines have been set, along with feedback and goal setting.
Creating an overarching vision for the new workplace is a great thing to do. It helps the moral compass to stay on target when other factors are at play.
By creating user-journeys and role-analysis from the information gathered, we can then start to discuss the types of products, furniture and changes that could be made. And then demonstrate the ratios of such items that will start to populate the office.
By co-designing the workplace, by including the people in the process of co-creation, you help them create a sense of ownership of the future space and futher buy-in to the changes that could be.
5. Some people in the audience may already be familiar with Biophilic Design, but for you, why is nature-inspired design an important one to help support employee wellbeing?
From time immemorial we have been connected to the earth, to the land, to the wind, the rain, the sun, nourishing ourselves from the abundance of fruits and seeds around us, listening to the leaves rustle, watching the birds fly in formation above our heads as they head for different climes, feel the ice cold water in the rivers, or enjoy the grass beneath our feet as we sit and talk around a fire. As a species, humanity NEEDS a connection to nature. The most obvious way is by getting outside and communing directly with nature, a regular dose of nature does wonders for mental and physical health, general wellbeing and so many other aspects of our lives.
But we spend most of our lives inside, and particularly at work. If we are at the office, many workplaces are designed using the economy principle: who are our suppliers, what can we buy bulk and let’s standardise it all so it’s cheap and quick to install.
The thing is business owners are missing a trick.
If we as humans, are surrounded just by white walls, plastics, reflective surfaces, noise, and flickering fluorescent untunable lighting, the cacophony affects us physically, the glaring light affects us physically, the bland walls affect us physically. The result is that this physical effect, changes our emotional state, raises our blood pressure, our cortisol levels, we feel stressed, and it triggers our fight or flight mode. We find it hard to concentrate, be creative and productive and I don’t need to say the impact that then has on a business’ bottom line.
What we aim to do with Biophilic Design, is to create environments where people flourish. From all the extensive research carried out (Biophilic Design is one of the most quantified, qualified and evidenced design principles), we know that introducing that “feeling” of being outside into our built environment, helps us be our best selves.
We know that “10% of employee absences can be attributed to architecture with no connection to nature” [1]. Views of nature in healthcare we know leads to 8.5% shorter stays and a quicker recovery [2].
When we have views of nature, for instance movement of waves, leaves in a breeze, fish swimming in a fish tank, our attention is held, and our cortisol levels come down. Our wellbeing is improved, and we are happier. Viewing nature is literally a pleasurable experience. In contrast, where we can see less visual richness these are processed in the “small forward portion of the visual cortex and trigger far fewer of the mu receptors, triggering less pleasurable mental reactions” [3].
We know that stress is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases as well as mental health disorders. What we seek to achieve with Biophilic Design is to create respite, relief, harmony so our brains are not distracted by sounds, views, light, textures that induce that flight or fight reaction within us that triggers the stress hormone that leads to negative mental health outcomes from psychiatric and stress/anxiety related illness. Studies show that our ability to directly access nature can alleviate feelings of stress, even our heart rate and blood pressure are at healthy levels, which further highlights the case for biophilia in the workplace [4].
[1] Terrapin Bright Green The Economics of Biophilia https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/the-economics-of-biophilia/#the-economic-advantages-of-biophilia-in-sectors-of-society
[2] Ulrich, R. S. “View through a window may influence recovery from surgery” Science, Vol. 224. 1984.
[3] Biederman I, Vessel EA. “Perceptual pleasure and the brain.” American Scientist. 94:249–255. 2006
[4] Grahn, Patrik and Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. “The relation between perceived sensory dimensions of urban green space and stress restoration.” Elsevier Science Ltd., Journal of Landscape and Urban Planning. 264-275. 2010.