Interior Design has a significant role in supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The places we work significantly influence health and wellbeing, as it generally forms the major element of our daily routine. The workspaces we create can enhance physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life through considered and appropriate design. This paper explores the interplay between interior design and health, emphasising the critical elements that contribute to a healthy environment.
1. Physical Health
A. Air Quality Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Our work with the European Space Agency, where we advised them on healthy ‘Covid-cognisant’ workplaces, demonstrated the need to limit the spread of airborne viruses and deliver clean & fresh air supply to the places people work. Data gathering of air quality, together with AI analysis, can ensure effective workplace design incorporates ventilation systems that provide fresh air in sustainable solutions. In addition, the use of appropriate air-purifying plants, non-toxic (low VOC) materials, and proper ventilation systems helps to reduce pollutants and allergens, thereby improving indoor air quality.
B. Lighting Design Natural light is crucial for regulating circadian rhythms, which in turn affects sleep patterns and overall health. Interior designers can maximize natural light by strategically zoning buildings to ensure that the places where people spend the majority of their time benefit from proximity to natural daylight. Additionally, lighting solutions can be designed to mimic natural daylight, as it chages, subtly, throughout the day.
C. Ergonomics Ergonomically designed furniture helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders and promotes comfort. Chairs, desks, and other furnishings should support proper posture and movement. Adjustable furniture that accommodates different body types and activities can help reduce the risk of strain and injury. However, far greater importance should be given to encouraging and supporting movement throughout the working day. This is not only ergonomically beneficial, but also encourages communication and collaboration. Choice and empowerment to choose which work setting suits you best at any given time is a major benefit to physical health.
2. Mental Wellbeing
A. Psychology There have been some really exciting developments in the study of how our surroundings can influence how our brain ‘works’. Different environments support/counter react to the electronic pulses that fire our brains. Environments have a significant impact on how we communicate, collaborate, study or reflect. Advancements in the understanding of neuro-diversity, clearly show that capitalizing on the contribution that all employees requires a variety environments.
B. Biophilic Design Biophilic design integrates natural elements into the built environment, promoting a connection with nature that has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. This can include incorporating indoor plants, water features, natural materials, and views of nature. Such designs help create a calming and restorative atmosphere. However, the provision of these elements needs the commitment and capital for their maintenance and upkeep. Poorly kept plants have a significantly detrimental affect on the wellbeing of the people using the space.
C. Acoustics/Privacy Proper space planning ensures that areas are used efficiently, creating a balance between open communal spaces and private areas. Individuals need spaces for both social interaction and solitude. Designing spaces that offer flexibility and adaptability can enhance mental wellbeing by catering to different activities and needs. A wide variety of spaces, combined with the permission to choose, empowers people to select the work setting they feel will support them best dependant on the task they are undertaking.
3. Social Cohesion
A. Communal Spaces Arguably, the primary function of the Post Covid workplace is to provide a destination to support employee interaction and company cohesion. The workplace needs to be an embodiment of the values and the culture of the company. There is a need to create a place that people want to gather and interact with their colleagues and teammates. Communal spaces have long been viewed as essential in supporting the ‘water cooler effect’, allowing chance encounters and idea sharing to develop. The value these spaces bring are equally as important as desks and meeting rooms in contributing to the growth and efficiency of the organisation.
B. Inclusivity and Accessibility Designing spaces that are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of age or ability, is crucial for social wellbeing and maximising the potential of everyone’s potential. As designers, it is essential that we understand everyone’s’ ‘barriers’ to effective integration. This may be ‘obvious’ in terms of level changes and tonal distinctions, or extremely ‘subtle’ in identifying how to address neurodiversity and individual needs.
Conclusion
Interior design plays a pivotal role in promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace. By considering factors such as air quality, natural light, ergonomics, psychology and biophilic design, designers can create environments that support physical, mental, and social health. As the understanding of the relationship between design and wellbeing grows, the importance of incorporating these principles into all types of spaces becomes increasingly evident. Future trends in interior design will likely continue to prioritize health and wellbeing, embracing AI technologies in delivering supportive and effective working environments.
1. Physical Health
A. Air Quality: Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Our work with the European Space Agency, where we advised them on healthy ‘Covid-cognisant’ workplaces, demonstrated the need to limit the spread of airborne viruses and deliver clean & fresh air supply to the places people work. Data gathering on air quality and AI analysis can ensure effective workplace design incorporating ventilation systems that provide fresh air in sustainable solutions. In addition, using appropriate air-purifying plants, non-toxic (low VOC) materials, and proper ventilation systems helps reduce pollutants and allergens, improving indoor air quality.
B. Lighting Design: Natural light regulates circadian rhythms, affecting sleep patterns and overall health. Interior designers can maximise natural light by strategically zoning buildings to ensure that the places where people spend most of their time benefit from proximity to natural daylight. Additionally, lighting solutions can be designed to mimic natural daylight as it changes subtly throughout the day.
C. Ergonomics: Ergonomically designed furniture helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders and promotes comfort. Chairs, desks, and other furnishings should support proper posture and movement. Adjustable furniture that accommodates different body types and activities can help reduce the risk of strain and injury. However, greater importance should be given to encouraging and supporting movement throughout the day. This is not only ergonomically beneficial but also encourages communication and collaboration. Choice and empowerment to choose which work setting suits you best at any given time is a significant benefit to physical health.
2. Mental Wellbeing
A. Psychology: There have been some exciting developments in studying how our surroundings can influence how our brain ‘works’. Different environments support/counter-react to the electronic pulses that fire our brains. Environments significantly impact how we communicate, collaborate, study or reflect. Advancements in the understanding of neuro-diversity clearly show that capitalising on the contribution of all employees requires a variety of environments.
B. Biophilic Design: Biophilic design integrates natural elements into the built environment, promoting a connection with nature that has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. This can include incorporating indoor plants, water features, natural materials, and views of nature. Such designs help create a calming and restorative atmosphere. However, the provision of these elements needs commitment and capital for maintenance and upkeep. Poorly kept plants have a significantly detrimental effect on the well-being of the people using the space.
C. Acoustics/Privacy: Proper space planning ensures that areas are used efficiently, balancing open communal spaces and private areas. Individuals need spaces for both social interaction and solitude. Designing flexible and adaptable spaces can enhance mental well-being by catering to different activities and needs. A wide variety of spaces, combined with the permission to choose, empowers people to select the work setting they feel will best support them, depending on the task they are undertaking.
3. Social Cohesion
A. Communal Spaces: Arguably, the primary function of the post-COVID workplace is to provide a destination to support employee interaction and company cohesion. The workplace needs to be an embodiment of the values and the culture of the company. There is a need to create a place where people want to gather and interact with their colleagues and teammates. Communal spaces have long been considered essential in supporting the ‘water cooler effect’, allowing chance encounters and idea sharing to develop. The value these spaces bring is equally as crucial as desks and meeting rooms in contributing to the growth and efficiency of the organisation.
B. Inclusivity and Accessibility: Designing spaces that are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of age or ability, is crucial for social wellbeing and maximising the potential of everyone’s potential. As designers, we must understand everyone’s ‘barriers’ to effective integration. This may be ‘obvious’ regarding level changes and tonal distinctions or extremely ‘subtle’ in identifying how to address neurodiversity and individual needs.
Conclusion
Interior design plays a pivotal role in promoting health and well-being in the workplace. By considering factors such as air quality, natural light, ergonomics, psychology and biophilic design, designers can create environments that support physical, mental, and social health. As the understanding of the relationship between design and well-being grows, the importance of incorporating these principles into all types of spaces becomes increasingly evident. Future trends in interior design will likely continue to prioritise health and wellbeing, embracing AI technologies to deliver supportive and practical working environments.