Design Principles for Work and Learning Environments
Modern working practices make it more important than ever that firms can create working environments that foster collaboration and wellbeing
Wellbeing
Psychologists, economists, philosophers, and other social scientists use the term wellbeing as a general term to describe the mental, physical, and social state of an individual or group. It is important to draw a distinction between the strictly bodily concept of wellbeing as a physician might use the term and the broader concept we are employing here in the context of space. Environment plays a major role in human wellbeing.
So does mood. There is considerable research that shows that being in a good, or positive mood, supports wellbeing and, in turn, helps us generate more original ideas. When we are in a better mood, we are more apt to get along with others, reason effectively, be healthier, and—most important for our purposes here—we are more apt to think creatively. This is not only an individual phenomenon, but also one that has been shown for groups working together.
What does this have to do with space design? First, the spaces in which we do anything have a significant influence on our wellbeing as humans, because space affects us emotionally. Therefore, it stands to reason that we can deliberately design spaces to influence us positively. Positive affect—or what has been called “pleasant feelings induced by commonplace events or circumstances”—has been linked to broadened thinking, attention, and repertoires of thought and action compared to negative affects, and positively related to a host of things that factor into working creatively on one’s own or with others: increased innovation; improved problem solving and decision making; more flexible, thorough, and efficient thinking on topics meaningful or interesting to the thinker; strategic thinking; constructive and cooperative bargaining; increased
helpfulness and interpersonal understanding; constructive suggestions and improved self-knowledge.
In the context of physical environment, a Steelcase research team identified six dimensions of wellbeing that can be deliberately influenced through design:
- Optimism: fostering creativity and innovation
- Mindfulness: being fully engaged
- Authenticity: being really yourself
- Belonging: connecting to others
- Meaning: a sense of purpose
- Vitality: having “get-up-and-go”
Each of these dimensions can be translated into multiple design choices for physical space aimed at enhancing specific elements of wellbeing.
Behaviors
These six dimensions suggest four definite behaviors associated with wellbeing in a workspace that space design must support. Our observation is that space design choices can either facilitate these behaviors in ways that help create an environment of positive wellbeing or can actually hamper people’s ability to behave in these ways and thus create negative wellbeing with undesirable outcomes for individuals and organizations. These four behaviors are:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Concentration
- Rejuvenation
There is extensive research that ties communication and environments that support it to all sorts of positive outcomes; for instance, there is clearly a strong connection between communication and collaboration.
Promoting the ability to concentrate in work environments may be the easiest of the four behaviors to support with physical space, but there are still challenges (as we point out in our book). And while spaces for concentration can often also be used for rejuvenation—the act of being made fresh or new again—we also include not only rest but play. Work can be stressful, and rejuvenation is a pathway to eliminating stress that can get in the way of creativity.
Biophilia
We also explore biophilic design, based on the term biophilia —from the ancient Greek for “love of life” or “love of living systems.” It is a term in psychology first used by Erich Fromm to describe a psychological orientation in which one is attracted to whatever is alive and vital. Edward O. Wilson, in his 1984 book Biophilia , introduced a hypothesis that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.
By extension, architects and designers define biophilic design as designing in a manner that supports that innate connection with nature. It is the conscious creation in the built world of something more in tune with the natural world humans crave and that contributes to our wellbeing.
We discuss a wide gamut of elements of biophilic design that can help correct the disconnect between people and nature we experience when we are in the built environment:
- Greenery
- Light and views
- Material and haptics
- Shapes
- Color
Space for Creative Thinking brings all these elements and shows numerous examples of where designers have tried to make spaces that promote wellbeing and the four behaviors and correct the disconnect between people and nature. Most of them are not deliberately and specifically meant to be “Innovation Spaces,” but a few of them are.