2022ENVISION WORKPLACETHEINTOBACKPRODUCTIVITYANDBALANCEBRINGING
Envision 2022 The Happy Place: Bringing balance and productivity back into the workplace. Is a publication by NBRS ©2022 NBRS No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Nominated Architect Andrew Duffin NSW reg. 5602 ABN 16 002 247 565 SYDNEY 4 Glen MilsonsStreet,Point NSW 2061 +61 2 9922 2344 MELBOURNE Suite 401 / 325 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000 BRISBANE Level 38 / 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 www.nbrs.com.au
Delivering a research paper that is relevant and useful to all workplaces was at the forefront of our consideration when embarking on this piece of research.
All in all, the problem with the current workplace is the disconnection between people and place. This research strives to construct a design solution that is socially considered when applied to any workplace.
We wanted to develop our own unique understanding of current work practices and to create a social premise, and a framework, under which the topic could Webe understood.haveframed our research in three distinct parts: part one - the Method, part two - the Catalogue and part three - the Profile.
Foreword
We look at how a socially considered approach by employers can bring balance, create positive productivity, an increased sense of wellbeing, and joy to their Inworking community.abidtounderstand how the above social principles relate to design outcomes, we were keen to explore a framework that could be adopted by all workplaces. The Catalogue seeks to provide a framework in which the ‘Method’ can be applied.
The Method speaks to the social science behind what constitutes ‘good’ work practice and establishes a premise for three key social principles in the workplace - creating Synergy, providing Nurture and the enabling of the individual to Connect.
Finally, we look closely at the hypothetical Profiles of three very different people and explore how a socially responsive and flexible workplace caters to their specific DNA. The application of the Method to their workday translates into productivity and contributes to the individual’s life balance and happiness.
Flexible and hybrid working is a topic which is being analysed and discussed, not only by the design industry, but by all workplaces in our post-pandemic world.
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Essentially, it is a kit of parts or toolkit that can be used by any organisation to map out and realise a forward focused, socially responsive work environment.
Envision 2022 Mikaela4ContributorsGifford Envision GraduateparticipantofInteriorArchitecture at UNSW Saanya Parmar Envision GraduateparticipantofDesign in Architecture at USYD Sophie Orrock Practice Lead for Interior Design at NBRS Katie Hurst Principal for Interior Design at NBRS Giulia Walker Senior Interior Designer at NBRS Andrew Duffin Director of Design at NBRS
5 CONTEXT Introduction 7 The Workplace 8 The History of the Workplace 8 Mental Health 10 Workplace Sustainability 11 Hybrid Workplace 12 METHOD 14 Synergy 16 Anticipate 18 Experience 20 Memory 22 Nurture 24 Base 26 Enact 28 Play 30 Connect 32 Life 34 Flow 36 Play 38 CATALOGUE 43 Synergy 44 Nurture 46 Connect 48 PROFILE 50 Ronnie 52 Natalie 58 Martin 64 CONCLUSION 68 Conclusion & References 68 Contents CONTENTS
CONTEXT
The average person spends two thirds of their lives at work; a large portion time that should be adding to live, not pressing pause on it. It raises the question, how can design of the workplace optimise our time by making the overall experience more joyful Toand valuable?answerthis, we must look at the past to understand how the workplace has progressed in both attitude and functionality to become what it is today.
Interviewee 15
Is the office a sanctuary from everyday distractions or is it a social hub to foster fresh interactions? Privileged workers have increased freedom of flexibility in their workplace; they can exercise agency regarding when, where and how to work.
Introduction
CONTEXT
As the hybrid structure becomes more intrinsic to the workplace, it questions the purpose of office spaces. How can design create an experience that is memorable? What role do people and management have in others’ wellbeing? How can design, nature and technology create seamless connections? Through the use of research, interviews and surveys, publication investigates how the architecture and design of the workplace can provide balance in our lives whilst boosting productivity, creating The Happy Place.
“The workplace is disjointed nowadays... it is hard to value what you have and what you miss.”
The modern workplace is constantly changing. However, conversations regarding the effectiveness of working in a post pandemic society is blurring the purpose of the workplace.
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A workplace is an area where people perform their job of employment. The modern workplace, however, is diverse. The work industry is unique, and people’s workspaces are specific to their field. For the purposes of this report, the workplace is defined as a building or space where people have desk areas to perform their designated tasks. This notion will be referred to as desk-based work
*1. “K2space.” 2019. K2space. 2019. https://k2space.co.uk/knowledge/history-of-office-design/Inrecent
History of Workplacethe
years there has been an emotional and physical divergence from rigid workspaces to more flexible spaces. This distinction has been punctuated by innovative technologies such as laptops and smart phones, which have intermingled professional and personal spaces.
The design of a workplace has been readily evolving based on the trends and values of each decade*1 . The key themes that significantly impact the architectural arrangements of office design are technology, management, and wellbeing.
Technology’s advancement from stationery to mobility heavily influenced spatiality of collaboration and individual work. Technology in the 1950’s and 1960’s was limited to paper, typewriters and tactical communication that resulted in workspaces having production line desks and openplan design to allow easy collaboration. New technological innovations in the 1970’s and 1980’s, such as the introduction of the computer, heavily restricted flexibility of office spaces as cubicle areas were defined by the placement of heavy technologies. However, further advancements in the following decades with more agile and portable technologies including laptops and smartphones allowed a return to open floorplans and flexibility in the workplace. Changes in technology also allowed for more social connectedness and diversity in the workplace
“As people we need that social connection.
Awareness of physical and mental wellbeing changed the dynamic of workplace design within its core values. Employee wellness was not considered in early workplace design, until the 1960’s. The introduction of ergonomic office furniture in the 1970’s sparked the beginning of physical well-being. Yet, overall mental wellbeing was not a topic of conversation until human resources management evolved to reach beyond administrative accountabilities, and more towards employee engagement and office culture. Hence, the 2010’s and 2020’s have seen a big push for mental wellbeing, which has effectively influenced the design of the workplace.
There is a sort of energy and motivation thats palpable in a group setting” Interviewee 2
Management’s growth from an authoritative and hierarchical structure towards a more trust-based entity influenced open-plan spaces and private offices. Early office design in the 1950’s and 1960’s was constructed to give the boss complete visibility of the worker’s area to ensure peak productivity. People in management were spatially separated and had private and larger office spaces to create the distinction of hierarchy. This notion continued into the 2000’s until human resources and management evolved to a more trusting and approachable structure. Thus in 2020’s office design, most workplaces have open working that attempts to blur divisions in roles and ranks.
The8 Workplace
9 Personal Space Ergonomic Furniture Electronic Typewriter 1960 Cubicle Farm Corporate CellComputersCulturePhone 1980 Co-working Spaces Open Floor Plan Social MobileMediaPhone 2000 Open Working Work from Home Work Life Balance Hybrid 2020 Breakout Spaces Cool Offices Agile Workplace Laptop 2010 Functional Office WorkplaceCasualWellnessFridays Email 1990 Birth of the Cubicle Ergonomic Office Chair Fax Machine Printer 1970 Production Line Open-Plan Collaboration Type Writer 1950 CONTEXT
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In the past decade, employers were beginning to grasp the prevalence of mental wellbeing in the workplace; however, Covid-19 accelerated the normalisation of mental health challenges at work. During the recent pandemic, many employees grappled with loneliness, isolation, and high intensity workloads, resulting in a surge of mental health awareness and programs.*3
Now, workplaces are investing more in mental health support and are providing aid through extra paid time off, mental health days and mental health training. Individuals are more aware of their mental wellbeing and are more likely to check on their peers, creating a nurturing environment. However, cultural change is paramount to mental health as the stigma of the workplace as a strictly corporate environment needs to shift to a more positive and joyful atmosphere.
10Mental Health
The workplace has a resonating impact on an individual’s mental health. Consistent work-related stress and an unhealthy work-life balance can be physically and mentally draining, leading to a state of emotional burnout. On the contrary The Black Dog Institute states that; “Mentally healthy workplaces are positive and productive. They are environments where people want to come to work.*2”
2. Australia, IComm. 2019. “Workplace Wellbeing with Wayne Schwass, CEO of PukaUp | IComm.” www.icomm.com.au. July 2, 2019. https://www.icomm.com.au/event/ mental-health-at-work-workplace-wellbeing-20190731/.
3. Greenwood, Kelly, and Julia Anas. 2021. “It’s a New Era for Mental Health at Work.” Harvard Business Review. October 4, 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/10/its-a-new-era-formental-health-at-work.
Environmentally, remote work has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of the workplace by 80%.*6 However, hybrid is a double-edged sword as reduced commuting produces 10%*7 less carbon emissions, yet home energy consumption rises by 20%. This split between workplace locations increases overall workplace energy consumption. Consequently, workplace design needs to be considerate of energy consumption, bringing us closer to reducing the overall environmental impact of the workplace, and in turn making it both ecologically and socially sustainable.
The rise of hybrid work highlights how big picture design considers the impact of the workplace on social sustainability, and the Biophilicenvironment.designissocially sustainable as it improves mental health by 47%*4 and productivity by 8%.*5 Increased fresh air, access to natural day light, natural sounds, and therapeutic smell can all work in favor of a socially sustainable workplace.
11 “Being able to vent your problem allows you to solve them collaboratively.” Interviewee 17 Workplace Sustainability *4. https://gatherit.co/biophilic-design-and-its-effects-on-human-health-and-wellbeing/ *5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338111192_The_Impact_of_Biophilic_Design_on_Workers_Efficiency *6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/adigaskell/2021/10/21/how-eco-friendly-is-remote-working/?sh=96453b31864f *7. Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10018261/Employeesworking-home-four-days-week-slashes-pollution-10-study-finds.html CONTEXT
Hybrid work is a mode of working that prioritises flexibility by enabling in-person and remote working. The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic was a time that forced involuntary remote work.
The future of work is based around a voluntary attitude to hybrid work. This structure offers more choice and flexibility in the method surrounding how we work.
There are three core ways of enacting the hybrid work structure:*8
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Workplaces and individuals need to be conscious of their own work habits and be responsible in the type of structure they follow. Trust is fundamental in any hybrid workplace. Without trust, a hybrid structure could not be successful. The problem that workplaces are now facing is disconnection. Therefore, the solution should be socially considered workplaces. Advantages of the Hybrid Work Model - UK Research Data.” n.d. Hibob. https://www.hibob.com/guides/hybrid-working-model-advantages/.
It allows equal representation in the office. Controlled Flexibility
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This structure evolves employers selecting 2-4 days in the week when all team members much be present in the office. This structure allows for the most opportunity for equal interaction and collaboration.
CONTEXT *8. “The
The Method is the proposed steps to create a socially considered happiness in the workplace, providing solutions to the disconnected problem of the current workplace. There are three principals of Synergy, Nurture and Connect; with each having distinct ideologies that foster joyful experiences both through action and design.
THODME
15 SYNERGY NURTURE CONNECT METHOD
SYNERGYR
17ANTICIPATE| EXPERIENCE | MEMORY There is energy in anticipation, life in experience and comfort in memory.
Envision 2022 18 ANTICIPATE
19
represents the amount of time employees spend traveling to work, with 64% reporting up to 60 minutes one way. Some enjoy this journey as it gives them time to separate their personal lives, whilst others dislike it, as they must stand on a crowded train for an extended period during peak hour. The journey to the office is out of the control of the employer, yet it stands as the main reason why people would work from home rather than work in person. The employers can, however, control anticipation surrounding the office itself.
The entryway threshold should be a stimulating and anticipatory experience.
“The transition from home to work is fundamental for me” 6
There is energy in anticipation, life in experience and comfort in memory
Interviewee
64 % 21 %15% < 60 MIN 30 - 60 MIN > 30 MIN Figure 1: Office Travel Times
Humans are hardwired to release dopamine in moments that have peaks of suspense, such as the build-up to a jump scare in a horror movie or the stretching moments waiting for the waiter to bring out food to the table. The higher and grander the anticipation, the more powerful the event. Workplace design needs to foster positive and joyous anticipation making the transition an optimistic journey. Design creates transitional thresholds that offer time to reflect, reset and transform the state of mind; like the way people anticipate an amusement park ride while waiting in line. The journey and anticipation to the office begins with the commute. Interviews revealed that people arrive at work by public transport, driving, walking, and cycling. Figure 1
ANTICIPATE | EXPERIENCE | MEMORY
Envision 2022 20 EXPERIENCE
Figure 2: Preferred Joyful Work Spaces
2019. “Reinventing Water Cooler Chats: Fostering Social Interaction Is Key to Increasing Workplace Productivity.” SmartCompany. June 4, 2019. https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/productivity/water-cooler-chats/.
“The spontaneity of talking, the camaraderie, the interactions with people... it’s the highlight of my day” Interviewee 14
The average person spends a third of their waking life at work,*9 and for that experience to be regarded as ‘fleeting’ is concerning. The workplace has the responsibility to elevate and direct employee experiences by providing opportunities for physical and social interactions. That tangible interaction between colleagues, as described in the water-cooler effect, brings lasting moments of joy that benefit an individual’s well-being and effectively improves productivity up to 15%.*10
The paradox of happiness is that humans are hardwired to thrive on the anticipation and in the warmth of the memory; yet the experience itself is fleeting.
DesignatedDesksHotDeskDesksActivityBasedPrivateAreasMeetingRoomRelaxedSpaceOutdoorAreaGatheringSpaces 12% 62%
This notion is evident in the results of the survey conducted with individuals selecting a range of spaces that they felt joyful working in. Designated desks remain the most common way to work within the office, with 62% of survey respondents choosing that as their preferred workspace. Other desirable spatial typologies include private areas, relaxed spaces, gathering spaces, meeting rooms and, with only 12% preferring a hot desk structure. This suggests that offices need to offer a range of working experiences that give employees the flexibility to have agency over their workspace. Not only will this make people’s work experiences happier, but it would also improve their overall productivity.
*9. Gettysburg College. 2021. “One Third of Your Life Is Spent at Work.” Gettysburg College. 2021. https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories?id=79db7b34-630c-4f49-ad32*10.4ab9ea48e72b.Bannister,Emma.
When comparing the design structure of some of the happiest and least happy workplaces across the world, it was found that workplaces that value the interaction between team as part of their office design had significantly higher reports of happiness from their employees.
21ANTICIPATE | EXPERIENCE | MEMORY
Open Floor Plan
Envision 2022 22 MEMORY
Design can propagate this principle through the optimisation of sensory experience such as scent, sound, and touch.
Autobiographical Memory is a long-term form of memory that forms a person’s sense of identity; with research showing that 55% of people form their identity through their work.*12 Therefore, the design of a workplace should encourage a positive memory and a positive sense of identity in work that uplifts and builds self-worth. Despite these ideas, Figure 3 illustrates that 54% of survey respondents believe that their office is not memorable.
Sensory Memory is how the evocative power of smell immediately triggers a detailed memory or an intense emotion. Working Memory is often overloaded and is how the brain processes and memorises procedures that allow us to be productive.
*12. Lupeanu, Doru. 2018. “8 Types of Memory... To Remember!” KnowledgeOne. November 9, 2018. https://knowledgeone.ca/8-types-of-memory-to-remember/. Office
The three key ideas that should be addressed in the design of a workplace to facilitate happiness are Sensory Memory, Working Memory, and Autobiographical Memory.*11
23ANTICIPATION | EXPERIENCE | MEMORY
“The days of people coming and putting bums in chairs in the office is gone”
The moment is not complete until it becomes a memory.
introductiontopsychology/chapter/8-1-memories-as-types-and-stages/
Memorable? MEMORABLENOTMEMORABLE 54% 46 %
Interviewee 14
Figure 3: Is Your
The beginning and the end are the most significant moments in creating memory. We are more likely to remember the ending of a book and base judgments on the final chapters.
It is pivotal that joyful moments are designed to be scattered throughout the workday, to create spatial opportunities and experiences that are remembered in warmth and comfort.
*11. Memories as Types and Stages – Introduction to Psychology – 1st Canadian Edition.” 2014. Opentextbc.ca. October 17, 2014. https://opentextbc.ca/
NURTUREU
25 Happiness and begins fromhealthinesstheinside. BASE | ENACT | SUPPORT
Envision 2022 26 BASE
A blanket of work safety is built from a foundation of trust, clarity, and honesty. It is important that a workplace provides an authentic interest in the lives of their employees to actively promote physical and mental wellbeing. This cultural change needs to happen at the root of the company through regular learning, research, and communication throughout all levels of staff. Once a base has been established, this rock of values and principles can be married into a warm and comfortable design of the workplace. The core of the workplace is the people. Each employee is unique and works in diverse ways. Figure 4 reads that 83% of survey respondents preferred to work in a hybrid work structure, 15% in the Office and 2% remotely; there is “We want to be flexible in our flexibility. It’s about trust and accountability.”
Figure 4: Preferred Work Type? 15% 83 % 2%
27BASE | ENACT | SUPPORT
A workplace has the duty to protect its staff. no single solution. However, hybrid stands as the majority answer, encouraging employers to provide a diverse work environment. A workplace needs to cater for these preferences to provide a base that is flexible and optimises their Adoptingemployee’s productivity.ahybridstructurethat is supported by good design creates a comforting and uplifting environment. This environment needs to promote the key values of the workplace. For example, if a company values people, it should dedicate space to social interaction. If a company values creativity, its space should inspire creation. A workplace’s culture should be part of their base.
REMOTHYBRIDEOFFICE
Interviewee 6
Envision 2022 28 ENACT
Additionally, facilities that foster the base of workplace values need to be considered in the design of the “The sense of turning up every morning. There is something quite comforting about that. In a strange way, it makes you feel like you are part of something bigger.”
Workplace’s value productivity, yet the workday of 9am-5pm does not effectively optimise the productivity of employees.
Figure 5 illustrates the range of survey respondents with 63% being productive in the morning, 20% in the afternoon, 8% in the evening and 6% during midday. Management and leadership can enact flexible work times as part of their policies to optimise corporate productivity.
MORNINGEVENING AFTERNOON MIDDAY 638%% 20% 6%
*13. Chase, John. “The Role of Consumerism in American Architecture.” Journal of Architectural Education 44,
To enact is to practice what you preach and to practice what you preach is to be proud of what you do.
Interviewee 2 office space. These designated spaces need to be visible in the arrangement of space. To design in this way, space should be open and candid, creating a physical connection to activity and team.*13 Architectural consumerism is the use of architectural space that manipulates the inhabitant to partake in the activities around them; a concept that needs to translate into workplace design. Further, spatial strategies can increase participation through vista points and circulation that involve all in wellness. The enactment of wellness increases overall happiness and boosts productivity within the office.
Figure 5: Most productive time of day?
An individual feels more at ease in a space that champions the communicated base values of a workplace. This championship can be actioned in the form of flexibility and empathy towards the needs of the employees.
(1984-)
no. 4 (1991): 211–24. https://doi. org/10.2307/1425143
29BASE | ENACT | SUPPORT
Envision 2022 30 SUPPORT
Interviewee 1 and flexible work options can boost employee engagement and improve productivity.
The word support is loudly thrown around in the post-pandemic world. Yet very few workplaces provide support as part of their design. %
NO 4% SOMETIMES YES 50%46
The most common causes of workplace absenteeism include employee disengagement, personal causes, and work-related stress. Having a supportive workplace that offers open communication, mental health support, wellness programs
It is the duty of the workplace to provide ongoing support to employees to maintain a positive working environment. This responsibility falls heavily upon management and supervising roles as support allows employees to feel connected to their company and creates a happy culture.
“I think the hybrid workplace has kind of opened a doorway to give that flexibility which is going to be hard to close.”
31BASE | ENACT | SUPPORT
Figure 6 shows that only 50% of people believe that their workplace is supportive, 46% stating that it is sometimes supportive and 4% saying that it is not supportive. This support can be improved through flexibility and design. The physical manifestation of support can be illustrated through the inclusion of dedicated wellness spaces and communicative areas within a workspace.
Figure 6: Is Your Workplace Supportive?
CONNECTC
33 Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected. LIFE | FLOW | PLAY
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Connection to life is how we soothe the mind. %
Figure
IN PERSON 75
What is your happy place?
ONLINE 25%
“I think that you are not connecting with people, and I think that as people we really need social connection. There’s that energy and you get motivated by being in a Intervieweegroup setting.”2
*14. Rogers, Kara. 2019. “Biophilia Hypothesis.” In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/biophilia-hypothesis.
*15. “Biophilic Office Design - Bringing Nature into the Workplace | K2 Space.” 2017. K2space. May 25, 2017. https://k2space.co.uk/knowledge/biophilic-officedesign/#:~:text=Biophilic%20office%20design%20refers%20to.
*16. Boss, Jeff. n.d. “A Lack of Workplace Connection Is Costing You.” Forbes. Accessed July 19, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2018/05/08/a-lack-ofworkplace-connection-is-costing-you/?sh=509a8c7435da.
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For many, we are at our happiest when we are surrounded by life. Whether it is the beach, the bush or with our family and friends - being around life and nature brings us joy. Researchers refer to this as the biophilia hypothesis.*14 However, the more time we spend indoors and on our screens; the more this organic connection to life is lost. Biophilic Design is the practice of bringing the outdoor inside and its implementation within a workplace has subliminal benefits. The active incorporation of plants, natural light, natural features, and water effectively decreases mental fatigue among staff and increases the level of workplace wellbeing.*15
LIFE | FLOW | PLAY
The connection to life also applies to the connection to people. We thrive on human connection and the workplace is built on the foundations of the people; where there is belonging, there is engagement and where there is engagement, there is productivity.*16 The pandemic highlighted the importance of human connections, with the workplace experiencing repercussions of loneliness. Survey respondents stated that 75% of people felt more connected with their colleagues through real life encounters, and 25% connected better online. Workplaces can rebuild connections to life through the hybrid structure, thus increasing joyful moments. 7: How Do You Connect With Your Colleagues?
Envision 2022 36 FLOW
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With great power comes great responsibility. Digital technology has taken on a new importance in people’s lives, underpinning how we connect to others. This tool has been elevated in the workplace, with employers relying on digital and technological devices to save money and limit in-person contact during Technologythe pandemic.ensures
that hybrid connections are inclusive to all. Many workplaces fine tuned their flow of technology during the pandemic; creating strong connections between people working from home and the office. This is supported in Figure 8 with 90% of survey respondents selecting that they were connected to their workplace. Yet, despite the
extended reliance on technology, it is important that virtual connections are not the only form of communication between colleagues. Many people have been suffering from ‘zoom fatigue’- the stress of intense close-up eye contact and lack of Theusual mobility.*17nuancesoftechnology can be optimised to provide inventive ways to connect people to places. Workplaces can fine tune connecting people in the office with those at home in a nondiscriminatory manner. Intentional technological spaces can be designed to help integrate everybody in a way that feels organic. How Connected Are You With Your Workplace?
*17. White, Taneasha. 2021. “Zoom Fatigue: Symptoms, Causes, Coping Tips.” Healthline. February 22, 2021. https://www.healthline.com/health/zoom-fatigue.
Figure 8:
The future of technology is replicating the past.
“What’s interesting is trying to make technology like what we had before the pandemic… we are basically trying to replicate the person in the room.” 6
ConnecteConnecteConnecteConnecteConnecteNotdSomewhatddWelldVeryd 40% 2%
LIFE | FLOW | PLAY
Interviewee
Envision 2022 38 PLAY
39
*19.“What Is a Fun Workplace? (Top Benefits and How to Create One).” n.d. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/fun-workplace.
Interviewee 10
Employees are given the opportunity to find happiness in otherwise mundane tasks, creating playful productivity. Playful design can be considered on a micro scale including tactility, comfort, and flexibility. Play makes people engaged at work. Figure 9 illustrates that 79% of survey respondents feel engaged at work but 21% feel disengaged. That 21% of disengagement can impact company performance. Embracing play in the everyday creates a happy and therefore a more productive workplace.
Figure 9: How Engaged Are You At Work?
Children play to explore and learn the workings of the world. As adults in the workplace, it is fundamental to play to constantly grow and create. A study showed that 45 minutes of play increased productivity in subsequent tasks by 20%.*18 This idea is extremely beneficial within the workplace as joyful moments and activities improve productivity
NOT ENGAGED 21
Work hard, play hard. It’s all the same really. % 79 %
ENGAGED
LIFE | FLOW | PLAY
“For me to feel a sense of connection, it helps to come into the office to socialise and have fun. That did not happen during the lock downs.”
Typically,and communication.*19theideaofplay is not associated with the workplace. However, bringing a childlike attitude into a corporate atmosphere stems positive development. Play is the combination of technology and nature to create an effortless intermingling of creativity, socialisation and mental reprieve.
*18. “Collaborative Video Games Could Increase Office Productivity: Team Video Gaming Increased Effectiveness of Newly-Formed Teams by 20 Percent.” 2019. ScienceDaily. 2019. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190129081930.htm.
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CONNECT
NURTURE
SYNERGY
A nurturing workplace creates a culture that values people within the practice. The ideologies of Base, Enact and Support should be visible in the values and design of a workplaces framework. Theory-based, nurturing spaces must create a sensory connection to the ethos of the people, to inspire healthy and happy employees.
The combined ideologies of Anticipation, Experience and Memory encourage office design to create a more positive mindset surrounding the physical nature of being in the workplace.
METHOD
Synergy is the holistic approach to space. Interview-based, it draws upon moments of joy that are scattered throughout the day to emphasis the social energy within the workplace.
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Connection is the foundation of hybrid work. Life, Flow and Play are fundamental ideologies in creating joyful workplaces that allow individuals to have agency on how they practice their day to day work. Design based, Connect needs to consider nature, technology and tactile activities to add to the lives of employees rather then press pause on it.
The Goldilocks Conditions for happiness are dependent on the nature of the work and the individual needs of the employees; there is no one size fits all design approach to The Happy Place. In this catalogue, the collection of design typologies are used to address the necessary aspects of Synergy, Nurture and Connect. Each category presents spatial typologies that inspire potential solutions to creating socially Workplacesconsidered workplaces.havediffering sizes and resources, informing the extent to which The Catalogue applies to them. However, a hybrid workplace that aims to optimise productivity and flexibility should endeavor to include at least one spatial typology from each category of The Catalogue.
CATALOGUE
43SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Envision 2022 44 SYNERGY Synergy typologies focus on the physical and emotional moments that create anticipation, experience and memory.
45 37 38 40 SPACES: 1-ENTRY, 2-VISTA, 3-DOORWAY, 4-STAIRS, 6-WINDOW, 9-ELEVATOR, 12-COFFEE MACHINE, 17- CASUAL MEETING SPOT, 21-TIERED SEATING, 23-PET AREA, 32- GATHERING SPACE, 37- DJ BOOTH, 38-EXERCISE SPOT, 40-EXHIBITION SPACE SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Envision 2022 46 NURTURE Nurture typologies focus on spaces that create moments of physical wellness and mental wellbeing.
47 5 10 15 18 22 26 27 28 29 30 36 39 SPACES: 5-RELAXED AREA, 10-BALCONY, 18- PRIVATE SPACE, 22-CUBICLE, 26-QUIET SPACE, 27-DESIGNATED DESK, 28-KITCHEN, 29-LEARNING SPACE, 30-ME TIME, 36-ERGONOMIC FURNITURE, 38-POD SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Envision 2022 48 CONNECT Connect typologies focus on how technology and the natural environment interact in a playful manner to create moments of joy.
49 SPACES: 7-INDOOR BIOPHILIA, 8-PORTABLE DEVICE, 11-WHITEBOARD, 13-WATER FEATURE, 14-CHARGING PORT, 16-GAMES AREA, 19-RECREATION SPACE, 20-CREATIVE SPACE, 24-COLLABORATION SPACE, 25-INSPIRATION SPACE, 31-MEETING ROOM, 33-OUTDOOR AREA, 34-READING NOOK, 35-SLIDE 8 11 13 14 16 19 20 24 25 31 33 34 35 SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT 7
PROFILE
The profiles illustrate three different case studies on how the catalogue may be used when designing The Happy Place. Ronnie, Natalie, and Martin each have a snippet of their usual workday, coined The Before, where their workplaces do not facilitate their needs. The implementation of hybrid and flexibility, alongside selected Synergy, Nurture and Connect catalogue typologies is illustrated in After The Catalogue. The design typologies from the catalogue can be combined in a balance to provide design solutions to feelings of disconnectedness in the workplace. The proposed socially considered workplaces increase individual happiness and productivity.
51 RONNIE NATALIE MARTIN PROFILE
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RONNIE
BEFORETHE
Name: Ronald Maloney Title: Graduate Age: Office:23Small Sized Tech Company
Ronnie has been working at a new job for three months. He is relatively new to desk-based work and is struggling to make friends online. He is also completing his masters degree part time. He knows he should go into the office but he is anxious about the kind of experience he will have and he is worried about leaving his dog alone all day.
Ronnie already has screen fatigue. His eyes ache and he is struggling to connect with his new colleagues 8:30am 10:00am
Thankfully, Ronnie has a dog named Mr Whiskers that keeps him company as he works. After a long day Ronnie catches up with some colleagues over an online trivia event. 3:00pm 6:00pm
53SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Ronnie wakes up and rolls over to look over to see he already has lots of emails to respond to. He is tired from balancing work and university; both online.
Envision 2022
START WORK: 9:00AM 7:15AM - Wake up. 7:30AM - Gets ready and eats breakfast. 8:00AM - Watches a university lecture and writes notes. 8:50AM- Rides his bike to work.
AFTER CATALOGUETHERONNIE TRAVEL TIME HYBRIDTHEPRODUCTIVITYMOODHAPPYPLACE
9:00AM Ronnie arrives at the office and is greeted at the ENTRY with a lively reception.
1:30PM Ronnie heads to a PRIVATE SPACE after lunch to get his personal work and tasks complete for the day.
10:00AM Ronnie is invited to bring his laptop to a GATHERING SPACE to collaborate with his colleagues.
FINISH WORK: 6:00PM 6:00PM - Finishes work. 6:30PM - Ronnie meets his friends for dinner and drinks. 10:00PM - Goes to bed.
3:00PM Ronnie leaves work to work remotely at his apartment. This gives him the opportunity to spend time with his PET and take his dog for a walk. 4:00PM Ronnie completes the rest of his day at home, working on his PORTABLE DEVICE provided from his company.
SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Ronnie’s improved workplace needed a focus on Synergy due to the transition from remote to hybrid structure. Whilst he was able to sufficiently complete his work at home, he lacked social connections and felt disconnected from his workplace.
The use of Anticipation, Experience and Memory ideologies were fundamental in reducing Ronnie’s social anxieties.
Ronnie’s points of stress included the mere thought of being in the office and the urgency surrounding tasks. However, the workplace eased these concerns by creating a welcoming environment that offered Ronnie the flexibility to pick his location of work, allowing him to go home in the afternoon to finish the rest of his workday. This gave Ronnie the opportunity to recharge and have a memorable experience within Thethe workplace.Catalogue allowed Ronnie to experience multiple points of joy which included positive interactions with life, collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to go home and spend time with his dog. The hybrid structure was essential in creating a happy anticipation and experience in Ronnie’s workday. The agency relieved his social anxiety and stress and improved his productivity, making the workplace his Happy Place.
Envision 2022 56
RESULTTHE
SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Name: Natalie Hurtado
NATALIE
Natalie is passionate about her job. She has worked hard throughout her career to get to where she is today but now she has three kids and just wants balance. She struggles to find the energy to give it her best at work and often feels she needs more time to herself.
Title: Graphic Designer Age: Office:37Medium Sized Creative Studio
BEFORETHE
Envision 2022 58
Natalie gets the train to work. Her train is full of high school students so she does not get a seat, her legs ache. When Natalie arrives at work, she finally gets time to drink her coffee that has gone cold.
6:30am 9:00am
Natalie goes to pick up her kids. She is happy to leave but feels really tired and unsupported. She did not have a productive or a happy day.
Natalie works in a quiet space for the day but she struggles to collaborate with other creatives online.
2:00pm 5:00pm
SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
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Natalie wakes up early to pack lunch for her kids. She is running late and her youngest can not find her shoes.
START WORK: 8:00AM AFTER CATALOGUETHENATALIE TRAVEL TIME HYBRIDTHEPRODUCTIVITYMOODHAPPYPLACE
11:00 Natalie has a deadline and seeks a QUIET SPACE to complete her work. 1:00 At the submission of her deadline, Natalie goes to the lunchtime LEARNING SPACE where she becomes inspired for upcoming projects.
FINISH WORK: 5:00PM 5:05PM - Leaves work. 5:40PM - Picks up kids from Grandma’s house. 6:30PM - Cooks dinner and get kids ready for bed. 10:30PM - Goes to bed.
3:00 Natalie spends some time in the afternoon sketching in the OUTDOOR AREA. This gives her time to rejuvenate before doing some markups.
SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Envision 2022 62
Natalie required a Nurturing workplace due to her high stress and her fast-paced home life. She needed a space that allowed her to slow down and reset, whilst providing areas that were inspirational and reflected her workplace ideals. The use of Base, Enact and Support ideologies were fundamental in making Natalie feel valued at her workplace.
Natalie’s points of stress stemmed from her busy lifestyle and her responsibilities as a parent. Her mornings were incredibly hard as she had to get her kids ready for school and arrive at work early in the morning. Additional stresses include her fast-approaching deadlines that require collaboration with her colleagues.
RESULTTHE
The implementation of The Catalogue helped Natalie get the most out of her day. The typologies of remote work, casual meeting spaces, quiet spaces, learning spaces and outdoor areas allowed Natalie to feel the most productive, despite the stressful tasks. The hybrid structure made Natalie happy as that catered for her busy mornings by allowing her to complete her tasks from the comfort of her own home. Nurture and flexibility in the workplace made Natalie feel empowered, rejuvenated, and supported; successfully boosting her productivity.
SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Name: Martin Stevenson Title: Businessman Age: Office:58Large Sized Bank Martin has been working at the same company for 20 years. He used to love his job but now he lives for the weekends. He loves socialising and this is highlight of his day, however it has changed a lot since he first started working there. There is hardly anyone in the office anymore and that makes him sad.
Envision 2022 64
BEFORETHEMARTIN
1:00pm 5:00pm
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Martin drives to work. He got stuck in peak morning traffic and is running late. It takes him a while to find a parking spot.
Martin works at his desk and his back feels stiff from sitting down all day. He wishes he could be outside. After work, Martin goes to the water fountain to meet his friends. They grab a quick bite and Martin is finally happy.
After a long walk from his car, Martin has to wait with the IT people to get his laptop fixed as it would not connect to the office wifi.
8:30am 10:00am
SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Envision 2022 START WORK: 7:30AM 5:30AM - Wakes up. 5:45AM - Goes to his local gym. Has breakfast and 7:00AM - drives to work, avoiding peak traffic. AFTER CATALOGUETHEMARTIN TRAVEL TIME HYBRIDTHEPRODUCTIVITYMOODHAPPYPLACE
FINISH WORK: 4:00PM 4:30PM - Arrives home and goes for a walk with his wife. 6:30PM - Has dinner with his family. 9:30PM - Goes to bed. SYNERGY | NURTURE | CONNECT
Envision 2022
The Catalogue brought joyful moments to Martin’s day, allowing him to seamlessly connect with people and nature. The typologies of a designated desk, balcony, portable device in relaxed space, recreation space and a collaboration space made Martin feel more corporately productive. The hybrid structure encouraged Martin to come into the workplace earlier, optimising his productivity, and making interactions with people working remotely happier. Having the agency to move around the day and pick where he works made Martin feel valued and trusted by his workplace.
RESULTTHE
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Martin’s points of stress surrounding his day were his interactions with technology and the lack of social interactions. He respected the advancement and the necessary flow of technology, but he did not like that he was sitting in the same spot all day with his eyes glued to a screen. This gave him zoom fatigue and a sore back.
Martin’s improved workplace needed a focus on Connect to build back his social connections with his colleagues. Martin’s workplace had become sparse since the application of the hybrid structure, which made him feel unhappy and lonely at work. However, the injection of Life, Flow and Play ideologies allowed Martin’s workplace to create seamless connections to people both in the office and those working from home.
FLEXIBLE SYNERGY
7. Ciaccia, Chris. 2021. “Employees Working from Home Four Days a Week Cuts Pollution 10%: Study.” Mail Online. September 22, 2021. slashes-pollution-10-study-finds.html.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10018261/Employees-working-home-four-days-week-https://www.dailymail.
BALANCENURTURE PRODUCTIVE THE HAPPY PLACE
6. Gaskell, Adi. n.d. “How Eco-Friendly Is Remote Working?” Forbes. Accessed July 19, 2022. friendly-is-remote-working/?sh=96453b31864f.https://www.forbes.com/sites/adigaskell/2021/10/21/how-eco-
5. Topgül, Seda. 2019. “The Impact of Biophilic Design on Workers Biophilic_Design_on_Workers_Efficiencyhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/338111192_The_Impact_of_Efficiency.”
3. Greenwood, Kelly, and Julia Anas. 2021. “It’s a New Era for Mental Health at Work.” Harvard Business Review. October 4, 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/10/itsa-new-era-for-mental-health-at-work. 4. Elliott, Scottie. 2021. “How Does Biophilic Design Affect Human Health?” Gather. December 20, 2021. human-health-and-wellbeing/.https://gatherit.co/biophilic-design-and-its-effects-on-
References
1. “K2space.” 2019. K2space. 2019. https://k2space.co.uk/knowledge/history-ofoffice-design/ 2. Australia, IComm. 2019. “Workplace Wellbeing with Wayne Schwass, CEO of PukaUp | IComm.” Www.icomm.com.au. July 2, 2019. au/event/mental-health-at-work-workplace-wellbeing-20190731/.https://www.icomm.com.
CONCLUSION CONNECT
by enacting space that foster principles of Synergy, Nurture and Connect to create a positive and tailored workspace. The framework of the method is evident in the typologies of the Catalogue; and its implementation creates a playfully
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16. Boss, Jeff. n.d. “A Lack of Workplace Connection Is Costing You.” Forbes. Accessed July 19, 2022. a-lack-of-workplace-connection-is-costing-you/?sh=509a8c7435da.https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2018/05/08/
15. “Biophilic Office Design - Bringing Nature into the Workplace | K2 Space.” 2017. K2space. May 25, 2017. design/#:~:text=Biophilic%20office%20design%20refers%20to.https://k2space.co.uk/knowledge/biophilic-office-
Thisthe user.joyisachieved
Hybrid relies on a base of trust and creates a nurturing environment that makes employees feel supported. However, the design of the workplace needs to provide a range of experiences that make employees anticipate a workday that is Themore memorable.amalgamation of these ideas, alongside the hybrid flow of technology and life creates a socially considered workplace that makes employees happier and therefore more productive. Turning the workplace into The Happy Place.
9. Gettysburg College. 2021. “One Third of Your Life Is Spent at Work.” Gettysburg College. 2021. 4f49-ad32-4ab9ea48e72b.https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories?id=79db7b34-630c10. Bannister, Emma. 2019. “Reinventing Water Cooler Chats: Fostering Social Interaction Is Key to Increasing Workplace Productivity.” SmartCompany. June 4, 2019. productivity/water-cooler-chats/.https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/ 11. “9.1 Memories as Types and Stages – Introduction to Psychology – 1st Canadian Edition.” 2014. Opentextbc.ca. October 17, 2014. introductiontopsychology/chapter/8-1-memories-as-types-and-stages/.https://opentextbc.ca/ 12. Lupeanu, Doru. 2018. “8 Types of Memory... To Remember!” KnowledgeOne. November 9, 2018. https://knowledgeone.ca/8-types-of-memory-to-remember/. 13. Chase, John. “The Role of Consumerism in American Architecture.” Journal of Architectural Education (1984-) 44, no. 4 (1991): 211–24. https://doi. org/10.2307/1425143. 14. Rogers, Kara. 2019. “Biophilia Hypothesis.” In Encyclopædia Britannica. https:// www.britannica.com/science/biophilia-hypothesis.
Theproductive workplace.hybridstructurechampions balance and flexibility to optimise productivity.
17. White, Taneasha. 2021. “Zoom Fatigue: Symptoms, Causes, Coping Tips.” Healthline. February 22, 2021. https://www.healthline.com/health/zoomfatigue. 18. “Collaborative Video Games Could Increase Office Productivity: Team Video Gaming Increased Effectiveness of Newly-Formed Teams by 20 Percent.” 2019. ScienceDaily. 2019. releases/2019/01/190129081930.htm.https://www.sciencedaily.com/
19. “What Is a Fun Workplace? (Top Benefits and How to Create One).” n.d. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/funworkplace. CONCLUSION
8. “The Advantages of the Hybrid Work Model - UK Research Data.” n.d. Hibob. https://www.hibob.com/guides/hybrid-working-model-advantages/.
The problem in the post covid workplace is the disconnection between employees, work and office. Design’s role is to create space that meets the needs of employees, supports productivity and brings happiness to
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