Designing for wellbeing at work

Light and views

Daylight and a view of trees, sky or a street are widely thought to help people feel better and stay alert. We place desks near windows where we can, bring light deep into the plan with atria and glazed partitions, and control glare. See also Light.

Air and temperature

Fresh air and comfortable temperature help concentration. We plan good ventilation, with natural ventilation where the climate allows, and let people adjust their own conditions. Large temperature swings and stuffy rooms are common complaints. See Airtightness and ventilation.

Daylight and a view of trees, sky or a street are widely thought to help people feel better and stay alert.

Sound

Noise is one of the main sources of workplace stress. Good acoustics, with soft surfaces, absorbent ceilings, separate noisy and quiet zones and well-placed meeting rooms, make a big difference. Offer quiet rooms and phone booths. See Designing for neurodiversity.

A choice of settings

Different tasks need different places. A good workplace offers:

• Focus areas that are quiet and private.
• Collaboration spaces for conversation and workshops.
• Social spaces, such as a kitchen, a café or a garden, where people meet.
• Rest and reflection spaces, such as a quiet room or a prayer room.
• Flexible desks and meeting rooms that suit changing teams.

Choice gives people control, which is important to wellbeing.

Movement and nature

Sitting still all day is tiring. Stairs that are easy and pleasant to use, walking routes, outdoor terraces, bicycle storage and showers encourage movement. Plants, gardens and natural materials bring nature into the workplace. See Biodiversity on a roof.

Belonging and fairness

A workplace should be welcoming to everyone, including people with disabilities, parents, people of different faiths and people who work at different times. Accessible toilets, lactation and prayer spaces, and a fair choice of seating are part of the design. See Designing for people with disabilities.

Food and gathering

Where people eat and talk matters. A kitchen or café with daylight and space to sit together is often the heart of a workplace.

Hybrid working

Many organisations now mix home and office working. The office becomes a place for meeting, learning and belonging, and the design should support that, with good spaces for teams and for video calls.

Ask the people who work there

The best way to find what supports wellbeing is to ask, test and adjust. See How to run a user workshop.

In short

Light, air, quiet, choice, movement, nature and belonging. Design from how people work, ask them, and keep adjusting.

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