A holistic evaluation of the workplace

Research into the impact of the workplace environment upon occupants has largely been focused upon the indoor climate ie illuminance, sound, air temperature, relative humidity and air movement. This has led to the development of design guidance that outline the conditions necessary for a comfortable environment. Through analysis of 20 workplaces the impact of a whole range of factors comprising the workplace environment were evaluated. The findings demonstrate that the majority of people are satisfied with the indoor climate if all aspects fall within the recommended comfort ranges. On the other hand, people were less satisfied with aspects of the workplace related to spatial layout and the interior design of the workspace. Most significantly the majority of occupants were dissatisfied with the colour scheme, provision of plants, choice, personal control and break areas. It appears that the level of dissatisfaction is directly related to the level of research conducted in to a specific factor. The results of this first phase of research have informed a pioneering study of stimulation in the workplace. Experiments within a workplace were conducted to determine whether occupants’ levels of stimulation in the afternoon, when attention levels typically fall, could be maintained at an optimal level through manipulation of the environment. The implications of these findings upon workplace design and future research are discussed.