The office space we occupy has a major role in our psychological behavior and how we work. Workplaces have to be designed to reflect how employees behave, and in turn, influence their behavior. A well-designed office inspires motivation and innovation, while a poorly-designed one can hamper employees’ morale and productivity. Conceptually, there’s a science behind employee behavior due to workplace design.
Offices are becoming more open having diverse spaces that can influence the way we feel and act. The idea is to make people feel comfortable with a focus on well-being and create a positive and efficient working environment. We need a space that prioritizes communication and collaboration, and one that can adapt and evolve with the ever-changing expectations of people. Our environment really matters for our performance.
Design ideas that impacts human behaviour
Better workplace design affects human behavior by catering to our natural instincts. In this blog, we are going to look at effective office interior design ideas, that accentuate the behavioural needs of people and how different ways a space affects human psychology.
Biophilia
Having a more natural working environment reduces stress and creates a happier space. Adding Greenery and natural light, and improving air quality and ambient temperature leads to productivity gains. Outdoor seating spaces, plants, and ventilation contribute to fewer respiratory problems which in turn results in lesser sick leaves.
Colors
Colors also have the capacity to influence our psyche and play with our moods and feelings. They can also evoke feelings of comfort or stimulate communication. Certain colors soothe people and make them feel calmer and less stressed, while a few colors are supposed to help with focus and accuracy.
Values and culture
For millennials and Gen Z, the values and culture of an organization matter a lot. An effective office space takes care of the functional and emotional needs of people and incorporates the corporate culture in the design. Visual cues, wall art, homely feel and design elements for well-being can show the company’s ethos and the care for people.
Open Spaces
Creativity flourishes when people meet face-to-face, interact and co-create. Open floor plans reduce costs and allow businesses and employees flexibility. Big informal social spaces help create a sense of community. Studies show that lower ceilings help us to focus, while higher ceilings help us to think more imaginatively and on a grander scale. The size, openness, and the feel of a space change people’s behavior.
Balance open and private
As much as open workspaces and collaboration are of priority, truly productive offices understand the need for “quiet zones” that are designed for privacy and focus. This is particularly useful for introverts and concentrated work. More choices empower people to choose and work as per their needs.
Breaking barriers
Moving managers from corner offices to the center and having meeting rooms in the middle of the space, encourages people to work as a team. They will feel freer to talk to their supervisors and exchange ideas. Using glass walls, allow natural light to enter and also breaks barriers between managers and employees.
Acoustics
Open-plan offices have more noise than traditional cubicles and that can really hamper the productivity of people and their moods. Using soft seating and sound-absorbing materials, office spaces should be acoustically designed to absorb a fair amount of noise to allow for focus when needed.
Flexible working areas
Workstations can have motorized sit/stand capabilities, chairs will be ergonomic, and each workstation will have a movable personal storage pedestal with a seat that allows team members to move and have a quick chat. Collaborative are ideal places for couches or soft modular furniture. People will gravitate towards these seats because they’re so comfortable. This makes collaboration more likely.
The Takeaway
Every workplace is different and People work in different ways. Good design understands these differences and fosters happiness and productivity. Creating spaces catering to individual and team needs leads to a greater impact on people’s behavior that can be a blueprint for future workplaces.
