Natural light and fresh air

It seems like a non-negotiable point, but access to natural light and fresh air have traditionally been more associated with comfort than productivity. In reality, though, humans are simply not capable of performing without them.

Options about where to work and with whom

This might be about creating a variety of spaces to accommodate preferences in a working environment or office space that is set up to make hybrid working easier.

Proximity to other people

Physical space affects communication and has been found to have a big influence on how much innovation exists in an organisation. This is especially so in technical and knowledge based fields.

The ability to experience new things

There are clear challenges to facilitating experience new things in an office environment. However, being able to do this can be enabled through encouraging people to work in different ways and in different spaces, for example.

What are the needs of the individual?

This is the most powerful idea that is transforming workplace design today. Instead of focusing on what the business needs, giving staff an environment designed around their needs is a lot more powerful. For example, standing desks for flexibility, visual prompts for tasks etc

A perspective shift on purpose

The shift is to start seeing the workplace as something that people experience, rather than just a place that they go to. It’s this new perspective that has the potential to improve the way a business attracts and retains staff. How does your workplace feel as well as look?

A focus on wellbeing as a driving force for productivity

As mentioned, some of the factors that contribute to wellbeing – such as natural light and fresh air – were traditionally viewed as more associated with comfort than productivity. However, studies have found that work environments with 15% higher wellbeing are 6% more productive and 15% more creative.

A shift away from cost-cutting

Budgets matter in any corporate environment. However, if productivity is the goal then they should be a secondary focus. The good news is that use of shared space and choice of setting can generate lower costs as a secondary benefit.

An inspiring aesthetic

We tend to be inspired by what we surround ourselves with and this is just as true in a workplace for knowledge workers as anywhere else.

Design that reflects the business’ culture

The workplace can be used as an environment in which to reinforce the key messages of the business culture, not just around productivity and innovation but also when it comes to values and ethical commitments too

We don’t function well in poorly thought through environments that don’t have a focus on wellbeing. These are some of the factors that any business can use to create a productive workplace for knowledge workers.