Designing Offices That Support Deep Work and Wellbeing

Collaborative Post

The workforce keeping your business in operation is something that you never want to take for granted. Whether they work in a hybrid mix of home and in the office, or they come into the office exclusively, creating a space that both supports deep work and wellbeing is crucial.

With that being said, this guide will take a closer look at how you can establish that within your own workforce. A people-centric approach is essential for balancing collaboration in spaces, intense concentration, and restoration. Let’s take a look at how you can implement them for your own office premises this year.

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1. Implement diverse and flexible zoning

As a modern office, it’s important not to use single-use space. Instead, make it an ecosystem of varied environments. These include quiet/focus zones in the form of acoustic pods or private offices for tasks that require deeper concentration or private calls.

Create collaborative hubs with open-plan areas and well-equipped meeting rooms to maximize productivity in the workplace.

Restorative spaces are also beneficial to incorporate, including wellness rooms and outdoor access points for employees, so that they can take well-earned breaks or even do some meditation if they have some free time.

This all helps in preventing burnout, which results in frequent absenteeism.

2. Prioritize ergonomics and movement

Comfort and physical health are foundational needs for focus and productivity. That’s why it’s imperative to have adjustable furniture that’s high-quality and ergonomic. Sit-stand desks help to support posture, allowing employees to change their positions throughout the day.

Don’t forget to encourage activity throughout your spaces, too. Place high-traffic amenities like the office printers or coffee stations at further distances so that employees have to get up and about, enabling them to stretch their legs and hit reset.

3. Integrate biophilic design elements

The use of biophilic design elements is helpful because connecting with nature has been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance cognitive function.

Maximize natural light where possible through large windows that are not blocked by any large items of furniture.

Greenery is important too, so take advantage of the hype and incorporate some greenery into the space. When it comes to commercial interior landscaping, adding some nature is always a great way to bring the outside in. It all adds to the much-needed calming environment.

4. Optimize environmental quality

Control over your surroundings helps to give your employees a sense of autonomy that they may often feel is missing.

It’s helpful to be able to improve job satisfaction and focus, and optimizing environmental quality is key to this success.

5. Leverage color psychology and sensory input

Finally, don’t forget about color psychology and the impact on the senses. These both make a real difference to the productivity of the workforce, and it’s wellbeing too.

Use cool tones like blues and greens in focus areas and pops of warmer, vibrant color for social or collaborative areas.

These integrated design principles can be incredibly effective for the purpose of supporting deep work amongst all employees and supporting their well-being at the same time.

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