This document discusses how workplace design can be used to promote employee well-being. It argues that traditional workplace design focused on functionality and productivity, but a new people-centric approach aims to support employees' physical and psychological health through elements like natural light, adjustable workstations, and varied work settings. Promoting well-being leads to benefits like lower absenteeism and higher engagement, creating a healthier and more productive workforce.
1) Coworking spaces have grown exponentially over the last decade from 160 spaces worldwide in 2008 to over 18,700 spaces in 2018. Asia currently has the most coworking spaces while North America and Europe are second and third.
2) Coworking provides benefits like a better work-life balance, reducing isolation, and improving networking opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the coworking industry and new health and safety measures must be implemented.
3) As coworking spaces reopen, adaptations like frequent cleaning, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass shields between desks, and reduced capacity in shared spaces will help make employees feel safe while maintaining the benefits of coworking.
1) The document discusses an interest in "transitional spaces", or spaces that people pass through but don't linger in. The author wants to explore how interactive installations could engage people in these spaces.
2) An initial phase involved identifying different types of transitional spaces. Subsequent phases involved observing user behavior and conducting experiments by leaving papers with shapes in a studio space.
3) Next steps proposed include focusing on a specific transitional space, building an interactive art installation there, and documenting how people interact with and respond to it. The goal is to better understand how to attract and engage people in these transitional spaces.
Deconstructivism and Critical RegionalismAbhiniti Garg
This document summarizes deconstructivism and Zaha Hadid's MAXXI Museum in Rome. It begins with an overview of deconstructivism, noting that it views architecture as fragmented and rejects traditional forms. It then discusses Zaha Hadid's deconstructivist style and concepts like gravity-defying forms. The majority of the document describes Hadid's MAXXI Museum, highlighting its sinuous, fragmented shapes and how it blurs indoor and outdoor spaces. It discusses key features like the transparent roof, concrete walls, and how the fluid forms create unexpected views and complex spatial experiences.
STUDY OF FAILED PROJECT ---- THE MILLENNIUM DOMEHaya Haroon
The Millennium Dome project in London was an ambitious government project intended to celebrate mankind's achievements at the turn of the new millennium, but ultimately failed due to poor planning and execution. The project concept was championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, but it was poorly managed from the start with politicians rather than business professionals driving the vision. The Dome received heavy criticism for its lack of clear themes and content. While projections estimated 12 million visitors, only 6.5 million actually attended, far below what was needed to recoup the total costs of £789 million. Contributing factors to its difficulties included a lack of proper vision, unrealistic expectations, and failure to properly plan for its post-event use and management.
Rationalism was an architectural movement of the 20th century characterized by simplicity of form based on function. Rationalist architects used industrial materials like concrete which was cheap, durable, and allowed for free floor plans. Buildings featured load-bearing pillars and curtain walls with many windows to let in light. Ornamentation was minimized in favor of straightforward forms. Rationalism aimed to accommodate new living standards through urban planning like garden cities and industrial zones. Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier were influential Rationalist architects who pioneered the use of steel and glass in skyscrapers and applied principles like pilotis and free facades.
A tensile structure is a construction where load bearing capacity is achieved through tension stress in components like cables, fabrics, or foils. Tension structures include boundary tensioned membranes, pneumatic structures, and pre-stressed cable nets and beams. Tensile membrane structures are often used as roofs as they can economically span large distances. Common types include saddle roofs supported by high and low points, mast-supported structures with fabric attached to interior masts, and structures stabilized by cables in tension like suspension bridges. Tensile structures provide benefits like unique designs, natural lighting, low maintenance, and cost efficiency.
Architecture Entropy is a term used to describe the slow design erosion away from the structured, governed and organised towards a more disordered state.
Regardless of how well designed a computer system is, it will be subjected to the laws of Architecture Entropy.
This presentation attempts to define the term and start some thinking on how to tackle it.
This document provides information about renowned architect Norman Foster. It discusses his educational background and career highlights, including establishing Foster and Partners in 1967. It outlines his design philosophy of embracing technology. It then provides details about two specific projects - Hearst Tower in New York City and The Bow in Calgary. For each project, it discusses the design, construction, sustainability features, and awards. It also includes images of floor plans, elevations and interiors for both buildings.
1) Coworking spaces have grown exponentially over the last decade from 160 spaces worldwide in 2008 to over 18,700 spaces in 2018. Asia currently has the most coworking spaces while North America and Europe are second and third.
2) Coworking provides benefits like a better work-life balance, reducing isolation, and improving networking opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the coworking industry and new health and safety measures must be implemented.
3) As coworking spaces reopen, adaptations like frequent cleaning, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass shields between desks, and reduced capacity in shared spaces will help make employees feel safe while maintaining the benefits of coworking.
1) The document discusses an interest in "transitional spaces", or spaces that people pass through but don't linger in. The author wants to explore how interactive installations could engage people in these spaces.
2) An initial phase involved identifying different types of transitional spaces. Subsequent phases involved observing user behavior and conducting experiments by leaving papers with shapes in a studio space.
3) Next steps proposed include focusing on a specific transitional space, building an interactive art installation there, and documenting how people interact with and respond to it. The goal is to better understand how to attract and engage people in these transitional spaces.
Deconstructivism and Critical RegionalismAbhiniti Garg
This document summarizes deconstructivism and Zaha Hadid's MAXXI Museum in Rome. It begins with an overview of deconstructivism, noting that it views architecture as fragmented and rejects traditional forms. It then discusses Zaha Hadid's deconstructivist style and concepts like gravity-defying forms. The majority of the document describes Hadid's MAXXI Museum, highlighting its sinuous, fragmented shapes and how it blurs indoor and outdoor spaces. It discusses key features like the transparent roof, concrete walls, and how the fluid forms create unexpected views and complex spatial experiences.
STUDY OF FAILED PROJECT ---- THE MILLENNIUM DOMEHaya Haroon
The Millennium Dome project in London was an ambitious government project intended to celebrate mankind's achievements at the turn of the new millennium, but ultimately failed due to poor planning and execution. The project concept was championed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, but it was poorly managed from the start with politicians rather than business professionals driving the vision. The Dome received heavy criticism for its lack of clear themes and content. While projections estimated 12 million visitors, only 6.5 million actually attended, far below what was needed to recoup the total costs of £789 million. Contributing factors to its difficulties included a lack of proper vision, unrealistic expectations, and failure to properly plan for its post-event use and management.
Rationalism was an architectural movement of the 20th century characterized by simplicity of form based on function. Rationalist architects used industrial materials like concrete which was cheap, durable, and allowed for free floor plans. Buildings featured load-bearing pillars and curtain walls with many windows to let in light. Ornamentation was minimized in favor of straightforward forms. Rationalism aimed to accommodate new living standards through urban planning like garden cities and industrial zones. Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier were influential Rationalist architects who pioneered the use of steel and glass in skyscrapers and applied principles like pilotis and free facades.
A tensile structure is a construction where load bearing capacity is achieved through tension stress in components like cables, fabrics, or foils. Tension structures include boundary tensioned membranes, pneumatic structures, and pre-stressed cable nets and beams. Tensile membrane structures are often used as roofs as they can economically span large distances. Common types include saddle roofs supported by high and low points, mast-supported structures with fabric attached to interior masts, and structures stabilized by cables in tension like suspension bridges. Tensile structures provide benefits like unique designs, natural lighting, low maintenance, and cost efficiency.
Architecture Entropy is a term used to describe the slow design erosion away from the structured, governed and organised towards a more disordered state.
Regardless of how well designed a computer system is, it will be subjected to the laws of Architecture Entropy.
This presentation attempts to define the term and start some thinking on how to tackle it.
This document provides information about renowned architect Norman Foster. It discusses his educational background and career highlights, including establishing Foster and Partners in 1967. It outlines his design philosophy of embracing technology. It then provides details about two specific projects - Hearst Tower in New York City and The Bow in Calgary. For each project, it discusses the design, construction, sustainability features, and awards. It also includes images of floor plans, elevations and interiors for both buildings.
Daniel Yap Chung Kiat 0309100, Christiody 0304191, Chin Pui Man 0310331, Cheang Eileen 1006A77249, Chew Wen Lin 1007C10646, Alex Wong Kai Tze 0303228 modeled the O2 Arena located in London, UK. Their model included a PTFE coated glass fiber fabric dome structure supported by 72 tensioned steel stringer cables connected to 12 steel masts. Various materials were used including reinforced concrete, rubber, and steel. The modeling process involved locating the steel structure, drawing and stitching the fabric, and adding details. Connecting the materials and achieving a smooth surface presented challenges. The final model demonstrated
The document discusses risk management strategies for the construction of the Sydney Opera House. It identifies key risks that contributed to cost overruns and schedule delays such as an unrealistic initial cost estimate of $7 million, an incomplete design that lacked structural details, failure to control escalating costs, and pressure to accelerate the construction schedule. These risks led to a final cost of over $100 million, over 15 times the initial estimate, and completion 14 years late. The project was also impacted by political risks like deceptive cost disclosure and design changes.
Biophilic design is an architectural approach that incorporates natural elements like plants, water, and natural lighting to connect people with nature indoors. Implementing biophilic design in buildings can increase occupant happiness and has benefits like enhanced learning, faster recovery from surgery, and increased work productivity and creativity. Biophilic elements in hotels and retail spaces can increase how much customers are willing to pay.
Charles Willard Moore was an American architect, educator, writer, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and winner of the AIA Gold Medal in 1991. Wikipedia
Dynamic architecture + Gaza Own Perspective on Dynamic ArchitectureAliaa
Prepared By: Aliaa M. Shamallakh | IUG | Gaza | Palestine
This presentation was part of studying the course " Theories ans Criticism in Architecture ", it focused on the history of dynamic architecture, its concept, progress, characteristics, shapes, and last revolution. Also, it focus on the Gaza own perspective on dynamic perspective.
This document provides biographical and professional information on British architect Richard Rogers. It discusses his educational background and the founding of his firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. It highlights some of Rogers' most notable works and awards, including the Centre Georges Pompidou, Lloyd's building, and Millennium Dome. The document also summarizes Rogers' design philosophy which focuses on legibility, transparency, and creating compact, socially integrated cities. It then provides detailed descriptions and images of the innovative Lloyd's building in London and the massive Millennium Dome structure.
Frank Gehry designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, completing construction in 2003. The building features an intricate exterior of overlapping sculptural forms clad in steel that has been called a work of art. Gehry aimed to create a space with intimate acoustics that represented the hull of a boat to connect the orchestra and audience through music. The design defies symmetry with organic volumes and surfaces bridged by glass, fulfilling an important role in the urban area through Gehry's unique vision.
HSBC is a bank located in Hong Kong that was built in 1865 to replace an outdated old HSBC building. The new HSBC building, designed by Lord Norman Foster and civil engineers, features balconies with mirrors to reflect light upstairs without using electricity, as well as an X structure and statue square designed using feng shui principles for good energy flow. The building also has a storm barrier that can be lowered during strong winds to protect the interior.
Rem Koolhaas is a renowned Dutch architect known for his innovative and experimental designs. Some of his notable achievements include founding OMA, receiving the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2000, and designing the iconic Seattle Central Library. The library design featured a distinctive spiral layout for the book stacks and maximized daylight while minimizing energy usage through sustainable design strategies. It has been widely praised for its functionality and success in revitalizing the library as a community institution.
Johnson wax headquaters, architectural presentationShahnaz Parvin
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin in 1936 for client Herbert Fisk Johnson, Jr. Wright wanted an open, stimulating work environment with no sense of enclosure. The building features a half-acre open workroom with mushroom-like dendriform columns, circular elevators, and 43 miles of Pyrex glass tubes that allow light in without transparency. It was praised for its innovations and helped transform Johnson Wax's international reputation. The adjacent 1950 Research Tower has 14 floors supported by a central core. Both buildings are recognized for their architectural significance.
Frank Gehry is an American architect born in 1929 in Toronto, Canada. He is known for his innovative designs that feature unusual shapes and dramatic forms inspired by nature. Some of his most famous buildings include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain (1997), the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (2003), and the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis (1993). Gehry often uses new technologies like CAD software to design complex curved shapes out of materials like steel, glass, and stone. His unique architectural style has transformed buildings into works of art and has had a significant influence on modern architecture.
The document provides an overview of the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau movements. It discusses key figures like William Morris who reacted against the Industrial Revolution by advocating for traditional craftsmanship. The Arts and Crafts Movement originated in Britain in the 1860s and emphasized honesty in materials, craftsmanship, and design unity. The movement spread to the United States where it influenced architects like Greene and Greene. The document also provides examples of characteristic Arts and Crafts architecture and designs by William Morris, Ashbee, Webb, and others. It notes Art Nouveau differed through its embrace of new materials and protest of traditional styles.
Zaha Hadid was born in Iraq and studied in Lebanon before moving to London to study architecture. Some of her most notable works include the Vitra Fire Station in Germany (1993), her first built project, and the MAXXI Museum in Rome (2010). Hadid's deconstructivist style features non-orthogonal angles and a fluid integration of interior and exterior spaces. The Vitra Fire Station demonstrates her early style through a composition of concrete planes that bend and intersect. Her MAXXI Museum absorbs the surrounding landscape through intertwining oblong tubes. Hadid's Phaeno Science Center in Germany appears as a mysterious object connected to the city through sinuous concrete cones that give an illusion of floating.
Raj Rewal is an internationally renowned Indian architect known for his humanist approach that responds to rapid urbanization, climate, culture, and building traditions. Some of his most famous works include the Parliament Library, Nehru Pavilion, Asian Games Village, and Sheikh Sarai Housing Complex. He draws influences from Western theories as well as traditional Indian architecture. Rewal's works emphasize climatic sensitivity, energy efficiency, and reinterpreting traditional stone architecture with modern materials like brick and concrete.
The document provides biographical information about architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi. It details that he was born in 1927 in Pune, India and received his bachelor's degree from J.J. School of Art in 1950. He then worked for four years with Le Corbusier in Paris. In 1956 he established his own private practice called Vastu-Shilpa in Ahmedabad. Some of his notable works include the Aranya Low-Cost Housing Township in Indore and the National Institute of Fashion Technology campus in New Delhi. Doshi's architecture is influenced by traditional Indian concepts and provides flexible, community-oriented designs.
Hot Climate Double Facades: A Focus on Solar AvoidanceTerri Meyer Boake
An overview of the adaptation of double facade systems for iconic buildings in the Gulf Region through the adaptation of the traditional mashrabiya screen.
Shell structures are constructed systems that use curved surfaces to efficiently resist loads through membrane stresses. They come in many forms including freeform, mathematically defined, and form-found shells. Singly curved shells use arch or beam action while doubly curved shells use hoop stresses and arch lines. Materials like masonry, timber, concrete, and steel can be used. Construction involves building continuous surfaces or discrete prefabricated elements. The structural behavior relies on membrane theory where loads are distributed through in-plane forces along curved surfaces. Examples discussed include Félix Candela's hyperbolic paraboloid vault structures and Frei Otto's pioneering gridshell structures.
The document discusses the architectural style of deconstructionism, which originated in the 1980s and was influenced by philosopher Jacques Derrida's theory of deconstruction. Key characteristics of deconstructionist architecture include manipulating and recombining basic building volumes into fragmented and irregular shapes through techniques like layering and angular geometries. The style rejects notions of purity of form and absolute truths in architecture promoted by modernism.
The document discusses high-rise buildings in Amman, Jordan, using the Jordan Gate towers as a case study. It first defines what constitutes a high-rise building according to different sources. It then examines problems caused by allowing towers to be built in high density residential areas without proper planning. The objectives are to study Amman's strategic planning for towers and to show the impacts of hastily approving tower investments. It also differentiates between towers and skyscrapers. The document then analyzes the construction, materials, and design of high-rise buildings over time. It discusses Amman's master plan and regulatory approach to towers. Finally, it notes how the new towers have begun changing Amman's skyline and urban form.
Raj Rewal is an Indian architect born in 1934 who is renowned for his modern interpretations of traditional Indian architecture. He received training and worked in London before returning to India in 1962 to start his own practice. Some of Rewal's most famous buildings include the Asian Games Village housing complex in Delhi, which used urban planning principles from Jaipur and Jaisalmer to create a network of streets and squares. The State Trading Corporation office building features vertical structural cores and sandstone panels on its unique structure. Rewal's designs sought to evolve mass housing schemes that incorporated traditional concepts like shade, cross-ventilation and a sense of community through central squares.
Corporate well-being refers to the level of happiness within a workplace. It can be improved through implementing health and well-being strategies that address the human, social, and organizational factors. Effective programs incorporate initiatives targeting physical, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental health. They require support at individual, group, and organizational levels to become integrated into the company's culture. The benefits of successful well-being programs include reduced absenteeism and costs, improved productivity and morale.
The Importance of Implementing Corporate Wellness ProgramsChristine Chin
This document discusses the importance of implementing corporate wellness programs. It outlines the benefits for both employees and employers, including return on investment for companies through reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism. Wellness programs can also positively impact employee health by reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and increasing physical activity. The key components of effective programs include incentives to increase participation, obtaining feedback to modify programs, and addressing topics like nutrition, fitness, and stress management. Common promotional methods are the use of monetary incentives and lotteries to motivate employees. Overall, the research presented finds that wellness programs provide health improvements for workers and cost savings for corporations.
Daniel Yap Chung Kiat 0309100, Christiody 0304191, Chin Pui Man 0310331, Cheang Eileen 1006A77249, Chew Wen Lin 1007C10646, Alex Wong Kai Tze 0303228 modeled the O2 Arena located in London, UK. Their model included a PTFE coated glass fiber fabric dome structure supported by 72 tensioned steel stringer cables connected to 12 steel masts. Various materials were used including reinforced concrete, rubber, and steel. The modeling process involved locating the steel structure, drawing and stitching the fabric, and adding details. Connecting the materials and achieving a smooth surface presented challenges. The final model demonstrated
The document discusses risk management strategies for the construction of the Sydney Opera House. It identifies key risks that contributed to cost overruns and schedule delays such as an unrealistic initial cost estimate of $7 million, an incomplete design that lacked structural details, failure to control escalating costs, and pressure to accelerate the construction schedule. These risks led to a final cost of over $100 million, over 15 times the initial estimate, and completion 14 years late. The project was also impacted by political risks like deceptive cost disclosure and design changes.
Biophilic design is an architectural approach that incorporates natural elements like plants, water, and natural lighting to connect people with nature indoors. Implementing biophilic design in buildings can increase occupant happiness and has benefits like enhanced learning, faster recovery from surgery, and increased work productivity and creativity. Biophilic elements in hotels and retail spaces can increase how much customers are willing to pay.
Charles Willard Moore was an American architect, educator, writer, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and winner of the AIA Gold Medal in 1991. Wikipedia
Dynamic architecture + Gaza Own Perspective on Dynamic ArchitectureAliaa
Prepared By: Aliaa M. Shamallakh | IUG | Gaza | Palestine
This presentation was part of studying the course " Theories ans Criticism in Architecture ", it focused on the history of dynamic architecture, its concept, progress, characteristics, shapes, and last revolution. Also, it focus on the Gaza own perspective on dynamic perspective.
This document provides biographical and professional information on British architect Richard Rogers. It discusses his educational background and the founding of his firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. It highlights some of Rogers' most notable works and awards, including the Centre Georges Pompidou, Lloyd's building, and Millennium Dome. The document also summarizes Rogers' design philosophy which focuses on legibility, transparency, and creating compact, socially integrated cities. It then provides detailed descriptions and images of the innovative Lloyd's building in London and the massive Millennium Dome structure.
Frank Gehry designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, completing construction in 2003. The building features an intricate exterior of overlapping sculptural forms clad in steel that has been called a work of art. Gehry aimed to create a space with intimate acoustics that represented the hull of a boat to connect the orchestra and audience through music. The design defies symmetry with organic volumes and surfaces bridged by glass, fulfilling an important role in the urban area through Gehry's unique vision.
HSBC is a bank located in Hong Kong that was built in 1865 to replace an outdated old HSBC building. The new HSBC building, designed by Lord Norman Foster and civil engineers, features balconies with mirrors to reflect light upstairs without using electricity, as well as an X structure and statue square designed using feng shui principles for good energy flow. The building also has a storm barrier that can be lowered during strong winds to protect the interior.
Rem Koolhaas is a renowned Dutch architect known for his innovative and experimental designs. Some of his notable achievements include founding OMA, receiving the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2000, and designing the iconic Seattle Central Library. The library design featured a distinctive spiral layout for the book stacks and maximized daylight while minimizing energy usage through sustainable design strategies. It has been widely praised for its functionality and success in revitalizing the library as a community institution.
Johnson wax headquaters, architectural presentationShahnaz Parvin
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin in 1936 for client Herbert Fisk Johnson, Jr. Wright wanted an open, stimulating work environment with no sense of enclosure. The building features a half-acre open workroom with mushroom-like dendriform columns, circular elevators, and 43 miles of Pyrex glass tubes that allow light in without transparency. It was praised for its innovations and helped transform Johnson Wax's international reputation. The adjacent 1950 Research Tower has 14 floors supported by a central core. Both buildings are recognized for their architectural significance.
Frank Gehry is an American architect born in 1929 in Toronto, Canada. He is known for his innovative designs that feature unusual shapes and dramatic forms inspired by nature. Some of his most famous buildings include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain (1997), the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (2003), and the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis (1993). Gehry often uses new technologies like CAD software to design complex curved shapes out of materials like steel, glass, and stone. His unique architectural style has transformed buildings into works of art and has had a significant influence on modern architecture.
The document provides an overview of the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau movements. It discusses key figures like William Morris who reacted against the Industrial Revolution by advocating for traditional craftsmanship. The Arts and Crafts Movement originated in Britain in the 1860s and emphasized honesty in materials, craftsmanship, and design unity. The movement spread to the United States where it influenced architects like Greene and Greene. The document also provides examples of characteristic Arts and Crafts architecture and designs by William Morris, Ashbee, Webb, and others. It notes Art Nouveau differed through its embrace of new materials and protest of traditional styles.
Zaha Hadid was born in Iraq and studied in Lebanon before moving to London to study architecture. Some of her most notable works include the Vitra Fire Station in Germany (1993), her first built project, and the MAXXI Museum in Rome (2010). Hadid's deconstructivist style features non-orthogonal angles and a fluid integration of interior and exterior spaces. The Vitra Fire Station demonstrates her early style through a composition of concrete planes that bend and intersect. Her MAXXI Museum absorbs the surrounding landscape through intertwining oblong tubes. Hadid's Phaeno Science Center in Germany appears as a mysterious object connected to the city through sinuous concrete cones that give an illusion of floating.
Raj Rewal is an internationally renowned Indian architect known for his humanist approach that responds to rapid urbanization, climate, culture, and building traditions. Some of his most famous works include the Parliament Library, Nehru Pavilion, Asian Games Village, and Sheikh Sarai Housing Complex. He draws influences from Western theories as well as traditional Indian architecture. Rewal's works emphasize climatic sensitivity, energy efficiency, and reinterpreting traditional stone architecture with modern materials like brick and concrete.
The document provides biographical information about architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi. It details that he was born in 1927 in Pune, India and received his bachelor's degree from J.J. School of Art in 1950. He then worked for four years with Le Corbusier in Paris. In 1956 he established his own private practice called Vastu-Shilpa in Ahmedabad. Some of his notable works include the Aranya Low-Cost Housing Township in Indore and the National Institute of Fashion Technology campus in New Delhi. Doshi's architecture is influenced by traditional Indian concepts and provides flexible, community-oriented designs.
Hot Climate Double Facades: A Focus on Solar AvoidanceTerri Meyer Boake
An overview of the adaptation of double facade systems for iconic buildings in the Gulf Region through the adaptation of the traditional mashrabiya screen.
Shell structures are constructed systems that use curved surfaces to efficiently resist loads through membrane stresses. They come in many forms including freeform, mathematically defined, and form-found shells. Singly curved shells use arch or beam action while doubly curved shells use hoop stresses and arch lines. Materials like masonry, timber, concrete, and steel can be used. Construction involves building continuous surfaces or discrete prefabricated elements. The structural behavior relies on membrane theory where loads are distributed through in-plane forces along curved surfaces. Examples discussed include Félix Candela's hyperbolic paraboloid vault structures and Frei Otto's pioneering gridshell structures.
The document discusses the architectural style of deconstructionism, which originated in the 1980s and was influenced by philosopher Jacques Derrida's theory of deconstruction. Key characteristics of deconstructionist architecture include manipulating and recombining basic building volumes into fragmented and irregular shapes through techniques like layering and angular geometries. The style rejects notions of purity of form and absolute truths in architecture promoted by modernism.
The document discusses high-rise buildings in Amman, Jordan, using the Jordan Gate towers as a case study. It first defines what constitutes a high-rise building according to different sources. It then examines problems caused by allowing towers to be built in high density residential areas without proper planning. The objectives are to study Amman's strategic planning for towers and to show the impacts of hastily approving tower investments. It also differentiates between towers and skyscrapers. The document then analyzes the construction, materials, and design of high-rise buildings over time. It discusses Amman's master plan and regulatory approach to towers. Finally, it notes how the new towers have begun changing Amman's skyline and urban form.
Raj Rewal is an Indian architect born in 1934 who is renowned for his modern interpretations of traditional Indian architecture. He received training and worked in London before returning to India in 1962 to start his own practice. Some of Rewal's most famous buildings include the Asian Games Village housing complex in Delhi, which used urban planning principles from Jaipur and Jaisalmer to create a network of streets and squares. The State Trading Corporation office building features vertical structural cores and sandstone panels on its unique structure. Rewal's designs sought to evolve mass housing schemes that incorporated traditional concepts like shade, cross-ventilation and a sense of community through central squares.
Corporate well-being refers to the level of happiness within a workplace. It can be improved through implementing health and well-being strategies that address the human, social, and organizational factors. Effective programs incorporate initiatives targeting physical, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental health. They require support at individual, group, and organizational levels to become integrated into the company's culture. The benefits of successful well-being programs include reduced absenteeism and costs, improved productivity and morale.
The Importance of Implementing Corporate Wellness ProgramsChristine Chin
This document discusses the importance of implementing corporate wellness programs. It outlines the benefits for both employees and employers, including return on investment for companies through reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism. Wellness programs can also positively impact employee health by reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and increasing physical activity. The key components of effective programs include incentives to increase participation, obtaining feedback to modify programs, and addressing topics like nutrition, fitness, and stress management. Common promotional methods are the use of monetary incentives and lotteries to motivate employees. Overall, the research presented finds that wellness programs provide health improvements for workers and cost savings for corporations.
This document discusses how promoting employee wellbeing through physical, mental, and social health initiatives can increase workplace productivity and business growth. It provides evidence that lack of exercise and sitting for long periods negatively impact physical health and productivity. Mental health issues from stress are also rising and impacting businesses through absenteeism. Flexible work schedules and support for working parents can improve social health and work-life balance. The document recommends specific initiatives employers can implement in each area of wellbeing to reap financial benefits from higher employee productivity and retention.
Lessons for Singapore in Workplace Health AIA Singapore
This document summarizes lessons from well-designed workplace health programs and best practices that can be adapted for Singapore. Key elements of successful programs include leadership commitment, building a culture of health, measuring outcomes, and addressing mental health. Best-in-class programs also localize interventions, design healthy workspaces, promote smoke-free policies, and bridge workplace and community health initiatives. Adapting these evidence-based elements from global examples can potentially motivate employees and lower healthcare costs for organizations in Asia.
Employee Wellness - How Does Your Workplace Make You Feel?Darren Shaw, SIOR
Colliers International Group Inc. has released “Employee Wellness: How Does Your Workplace Make You Feel?,” a white paper that examines the actions employers are taking to prioritize workplace wellness and ultimately boost employee attraction and retention, reduce sick days and decrease healthcare costs.
The popular wellness trend is not a passing fad - office properties quarterly...Craig Van Pelt
The document discusses the growing trend of corporate wellness programs. It notes that the average workday for U.S. employees is 8.7 hours, with 75% of that time spent at the workplace, meaning work impacts lifestyle choices. Wellness programs are becoming a mandate for many organizations to attract talent. Effective wellness programs have been shown to increase morale, decrease healthcare costs, and boost productivity by reducing absenteeism and "presenteeism." Corporate real estate professionals are uniquely positioned to promote wellness through workplace design and amenities that foster employee health and engagement. A survey found 80% of respondents see wellness as a significant trend, not a passing fad.
This document summarizes a student project report on influencing healthy lifestyle changes in the workplace. The report discusses how implementing healthy lifestyle programs can benefit employers by decreasing healthcare costs and improving productivity through reduced absenteeism and increased employee morale. The report reviews literature finding that such programs successfully helped reduce costs at some hospitals and small businesses. The report also discusses the existing issue of rising obesity and healthcare costs in the US workplace that motivates the need for employers to address employees' lifestyles and health.
This document discusses how improving employee well-being can benefit businesses. It summarizes a case study that found targeted well-being interventions at a Fortune 50 company significantly improved individual well-being scores and reduced healthcare costs, lost productivity, and turnover intentions. The document argues that organizations that prioritize well-being improvement will see increasing advantages, while those that do not address well-being will experience declining performance.
The document is a visioning report from THNK about the future of vitality at work. It discusses holding challenges to address employee well-being and launching two new health challenges per year. It outlines insights from the Vitality 2.0 challenge, which explored how to create a smart workplace where employees improve vitality, reduce stress, and become more impactful. The challenge involved a diverse team that applied THNK's innovation approach to develop an innovative enterprise concept for improving employee well-being.
Creating active and dynamic healthy lifestyle at workplaceMawaheb Al Homsi
The existence of clear objectives to implement measures aimed at changing the lifestyle of employees in the workplace helps to increase productivity and create a healthy work environment that increases motivation in work.
aims:
reduce risk factors increase performance
increased concentration more productivity
This white paper report by Deloitte on: "Mental Health and Employers, the Case For Investment" aims to answer three specific, supporting questions;
1. What is the cost of mental health to employers?
2. What is the return on investment to employers
from mental health interventions in the workplace?
3. What can we learn from international examples in terms
of good practice?
It is a great source of information that can prove to be invaluable when proposing a business case for your employer to make a future framework in place for the mental wellbeing of your employees and future investment.
This document is the introduction to the U.S. Surgeon General's framework for workplace mental health and well-being. It discusses how work is important to people's health, wealth, and well-being. While work can provide meaning and community, chronic stress from work can negatively impact physical and mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the relationship between work and well-being. The framework aims to help organizations support worker mental health and make workplaces engines for well-being.
lecture presented by Nimfa T. Maniago at PAARL’s Seminar /Parallel Session-workshop on Library and Web 2011 (Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Pampanga, 19-20 August 2010)
This document discusses shifting the focus of workplace wellness programs from return on investment (ROI) to improving quality of life (QOL). It argues that focusing on QOL is better for both employees and management. When QOL increases, metrics like engagement, retention, and productivity rise, ultimately leading to cost savings and a positive ROI. The document provides examples of how to measure and enhance QOL through benefits, learning opportunities, social support, and positive messaging. Emphasizing small, sustainable lifestyle changes over strict health targets is presented as a better approach for sustaining wellness.
This document discusses employer uncertainty regarding implementing worksite wellness programs. While employees spend most of their time at work, making it a sensible place to promote health, many employers are reluctant to establish wellness programs. This reluctance stems from factors like perceived costs, views of obesity as a personal issue, and concerns about recouping investments. However, research shows wellness programs can reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs associated with obesity-related diseases. Both large employers and employees generally support wellness programs more than small employers. Further investigation is still needed to fully understand employer uncertainties around the value of worksite wellness initiatives.
stress management - kims hospital mba project report Srikanth V
Stress management can be defined as interventions designed to reduce the impact of stressors in the workplace. These can have an individual focus, aimed at increasing an individual’s ability to cope with stressors. The goal of Stress Management is to manage the stress of everyday life among employees. Many different methods may be employed, such as bio-feedback, meditation and massage. Counselors work with individuals in order to determine what stress management program will work best for that person.
Work plays a critical role in the lives of individuals which has contributed to the phenomenon of stress for both individual employees and the organizations. Stress, at work, is one of the threats in providing a healthy platform of work to employees. The stress induced due to roles performed by individuals as employees at workplace, has been one of the most persuasive organizational stressors, the outcomes of which have been found to be costly to the organization. The previous studies in this area of research indicate that the role stress as a phenomenon has hardly been understood in its entirety and comprehensively in case of commercial banks particularly in the Indian context. The highly competitive banking industry has levied varied role requirements on employees resulting into stress.
Stress is something that happens in our daily lives and is usually associated with a particular event such as work, family or other responsibilities. There are many situations that we cannot control, but there are ways to control how we deal with certain situations. Effective stress management is something that our lives can go a little more smoothly. Stress management is as simple as taking a walk. It was been proven that physical activities would improve a person’s mental health, help with depression, and relieve the side effects of stress. This makes a person’s heart rate increase and will be more likely to be affected by stress. It is vital that stress management techniques are implemented into our daily lives. Coping with stress is an individualized task and one method over another may not be superior. A person that is stressed takes so much away from his or her health and performance levels.
Population Health Management: a new business model for a healthier workforceInnovations2Solutions
Population health management (PHM) is a strategy to improve the health of entire employee populations through individual and organizational interventions. PHM programs stratify employees based on health risks and tailor interventions accordingly. They incorporate elements like disease prevention strategies, health coaching, and community partnerships. A case study describes a PHM pilot program between an employer and YMCA that engages employees at work and home through a coordinated approach. PHM aims to decrease healthcare costs and improve employee health and productivity for both employers and employees.
This document discusses the importance of organizational culture and health. It provides definitions of workplace health promotion from various experts that emphasize creating an environment where employee health is valued and supported through policies, benefits and programs. Research findings show that companies with a strong culture of health have employees who are more likely to take action on their health and rate their job performance and potential higher. However, less than 26% of employees believe their company has such a culture. Lack of engagement is also a barrier to changing health behaviors. Companies committed to health achieve better financial outcomes with lower turnover. Integrating data enables evaluation and total economic value from benefit investments.
Population health management (PHM) is a strategy to improve the health of entire employee populations through individual and organizational interventions. PHM goes beyond traditional wellness programs by stratifying employees based on health risks and tailoring interventions. It can decrease healthcare costs and improve outcomes like productivity and retention. Effective PHM uses data analytics, population strategies, and individual interventions. It also incorporates community partnerships and family programs. Case studies show PHM can increase well-being scores, lower costs, and reduce absenteeism.
Delos_WELL_ProjectProfile_Tianjiao_110416_english-FinalStephen Brown
Sino-Ocean Group, one of China's largest real estate developers, committed to pursuing WELL Certification for over 26 million square feet of projects in the next five years. Their flagship Tianjiao Garden project in Guangzhou, comprised of residential and commercial buildings, is pursuing WELL Multifamily Residential Pilot Certification - the first new development to do so in China. The project incorporates various health and wellness features like individual air/water systems for each unit, extensive landscaping, and fitness amenities. Sino-Ocean aims to integrate WELL preconditions and optimizations to achieve WELL Gold certification, demonstrating their leadership in advancing healthy building standards in China.
The Well Living Lab is a collaboration between Delos and Mayo Clinic to conduct research on indoor environments and human health. It has various capabilities for data gathering, environmental control and simulation, analytics, and remote monitoring. Researchers can study multiple variables simultaneously using diverse measurement methods. The lab aims to generate practical outcomes around sleep, performance, stress, fitness and nutrition. It is staffed by employees from Delos and Mayo Clinic and governed by a joint steering committee.
Health Wellbeing and Productivity in Offices - The next chapter for green bui...Stephen Brown
This document summarizes evidence on how office design impacts employee health, wellbeing and productivity. It finds that indoor air quality, thermal comfort, daylighting, lighting, noise levels, interior layout, views/biophilia, aesthetics and location all influence occupant outcomes. Improving these design features can boost productivity by single-digit percentages. As staff costs typically account for 90% of business expenses, even modest productivity gains translate to significant financial benefits. The document proposes a framework for measuring outcomes and relating them to building features to help businesses quantify returns on investments in green building.
Delos Infographic_Drive Toward Healthier Buildings 2016Stephen Brown
The document discusses building owners' increasing interest in integrating healthy building features that prioritize occupant well-being. It found the top five healthy building features expected to increase over the next five years are enhanced ventilation, improved employee satisfaction and engagement, positive impact on building leasing rates and value, and community integration. Building owners view the main benefits of healthy buildings as happier and healthier occupants, improved financial benefits from greater productivity, and improved tenant satisfaction.
The Well Living Lab tracks how changes to indoor environments impact occupant health, well-being and performance. It subjects employees to different office conditions while closely monitoring numerous physical and biometric responses. The goal is to develop evidence-based guidelines for optimizing indoor spaces. Initial studies focus on lighting, temperature, noise and other basic variables both alone and combined. Larger future studies aim to provide specific design recommendations based on integrated data from rigorous multi-factor experiments.
Dodge Report - drive_toward_healthier_buildings_2016Stephen Brown
This document summarizes the key findings of a report on healthier buildings. It finds that while consideration of occupant health is influential for many owners, other factors like cost and aesthetics are prioritized more. Architects, designers, and contractors underestimate some of owners' goals for healthier buildings like improved occupant satisfaction. Around half of owners do not know the benefits of their healthier building investments due to a lack of standardized metrics. However, those who do measure benefits report improved employee satisfaction and engagement as well as an ability to lease spaces faster. The report calls for better alignment between owners and design teams on goals, as well as more research and data sharing to quantify the business case for healthier buildings.
75% of work in industrialized countries is performed while seated. Sitting for long periods can be detrimental to back health if posture is not changed. Research found that getting up even briefly every hour can help reduce health risks. It is important for workers to understand how to keep their back healthy while seated through proper seating, posture changes, and movement.
This document summarizes the features and certifications of the Haworth Kerry Center in Shanghai, China, which was designed and built to promote health and wellness. It discusses the center's high indoor air quality through certifications, monitoring, and use of non-toxic materials. It also describes the center's emphasis on water quality, nutrition, light, fitness, comfort, mental wellness, and community. Diagrams show the layout and attributes of different work areas in the center like the cafe, atelier, mock up area, and club space.
1. Workplace Design for Well-being
Today, there is an emerging opportunity to use workplace design to promote a holistic state of well-being for people at work.
When organizations provide work environments that support user control, natural elements and daylight, and changing postures,
they address the physical and psychological health of people—enhancing engagement, creativity, innovation, and retention.
Good workplace design fosters well-being—which leads to success for organizations.
17
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Workplace Design for Well-being / 10.15
There is an emerging opportunity
to effectively use design to
promote employee well-being
Wellness programs have long been in place, encouraging
physical (healthy choices in eating, exercise, etc.) and
psychological health in employees. Separate from wellness
programs, sustainability initiatives have addressed physical
health by minimizing exposure risks to harmful chemicals
and materials through standards such as LEED certification.
Ergonomic standards have been developed to reduce risk
of musculoskeletal injuries in office workers. However, these
disparate programs fail to address a complete sense of the
whole person at work that includes both physical and mental
health, while encompassing performance, engagement, and
well-being.
Productivity used to be the ultimate goal for earlier generations
of office workers whose mentality around work was to bring the
“work only”version of themselves into the office. The“whole
person”was not really considered in space design in the past;
instead, the focus was on functional requirements that support the
work persona: tasks, technology, and processes. Today, there is an
emerging opportunity to use workplace design to promote
a holistic state of well-being for people at work.
Organizations aspire to a more inclusive and enduring
outcome for employees
The goal of well-being for employees subsumes all other
outcomes. It is not a short term emotion, like“happiness,”—it is
an enduring state that can lead to productive, engaged, balanced,
and healthy employees. A large body of research shows that health
and well-being are directly affected by many features of the overall
physical environment.1
The role of workplace design is evolving to a people-
centric approach
A focus on well-being represents a shift from a “space-centric” to
a “people-centric” approach in office design. Traditional space-
centric design offers workspaces based on work process and
functional requirements that are designed directly for the best
interests of the organization—by driving employee performance.
People-centric design puts people at the center of the design
process, with outcomes related to quality of life (such as reduced
stress). Of course, the assumption is that as quality of life
improves, traditional business issues, such as engagement
and performance, are also positively affected.
1 Creighton, 2014; Parsons et al., 2012; Vischer, 2007.
Today, a significant opportunity exists for organizations
to unlock the potential of office design as a means of
enhancing well-being, leading to a healthier, more
engaged and high performing workforce.
Generation Y and Employee Engagement
The growing Generation Y (also called Millennials) workforce
famously blends work and personal life, bringing a more holistic
version of themselves into the office. The need for belonging and
connecting is very important to these younger, highly collaborative
workers. As organizations embrace employee engagement, there
is growing realization that simply looking at productivity is too
narrow. We need a broader conceptualization of people at work.
54% of waking hours
are spent at work
– Sodexo, Workplace Trends 2014
Addressing workplace well-being can
help organizations:
Attract and retain employees
Reduce the costs of absenteeism
Reduce the effects of stress
Reduce health costs
Improve employee engagement
Improve morale by creating a socially
engaging, supportive environment
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Workplace Design for Well-being / 10.15
Employee health issues and
disengagement have costly effects
on the bottom line
Chronic disease and stress-related illnesses
are rapidly increasing in the working-
age population.2
Stress is a known cause
of both mental health disorders and
cardiovascular diseases.
The World Health Organization predicts
by 2020 mental health disorders and
cardiovascular diseases will be the two
prime types of illnesses in workers.3
In
addition, it’s a widely known fact that
lack of exercise—in particular, long
periods of sitting—causes more deaths
from diabetes, heart disease, and other
inactivity-related diseases, than smoking.
Disease and stress, in turn, impact
organizations through absenteeism and
employee healthcare costs. The annual
absenteeism rate in the US is 3 percent
on average per employee in the private
sector, and 4 percent in the public sector.4
Full-time workers in the U.S. with chronic
health conditions miss an estimated 450
million additional days of work each year
compared with healthy workers—resulting
in an estimated cost of more than $153
billion in lost productivity annually.5
Stress
costs another $300 billion, chronic health
conditions over $1 trillion, and working in
“sick buildings” adds another $60 billion.6
Another aspect of well-being is
psychological health. Employee
engagement is constantly ranked as one
of the top five most important challenges
for organizations. Gallup’s 2014 poll shows
that less than one-third (32 percent) of
American employees were engaged in
2014.7
Worldwide, these figures don’t
present a promising picture either. For
example, China and Hong Kong have
alarmingly low rates of engagement (6
percent and 4 percent, respectively).
Gallup’s studies have shown that by far the
greatest losses of productivity occur when
employees are disengaged. Another study
found that happy employees are 87 percent
less likely to leave their organizations than
disengaged employees.8
Similar to absenteeism is “presenteeism”—
when workers display low productivity
and engagement despite being physically
healthy.9
According to a study by Foresight,
the cost of presenteeism to UK businesses
is approximately £1 billion per year, a cost
estimated at 1.3 times that of absenteeism.
Conversely, when health and well-being are
actively promoted in an organization:
• The organization is seen as 2.5 times
more likely to be a best performer
• Employees are 8 times more likely to
be engaged
• The organization is seen as 3.5 times
more likely to be creative and innovative
• The organization is seen as 4 times less
likely to lose talent in the next year10
Studies indicate, even in turbulent
economic times, organizations with high
engagement levels have outperformed the
total stock market index and posted higher
than average total shareholder returns.11
Employee well-being can offer a
strong return on investment
The economic case for investment in well-
being is clear. While initially organizations
are likely to incur additional costs, the
business case for investment is strong.
According to a recent Harvard Business
Review case study, Johnson & Johnson’s
leaders estimated that their wellness
programs had cumulatively saved the
company $250 million on healthcare costs
over the past decade.12
The commercial
real estate services firm CBRE states that
implementing wellness concepts from
the WELL Building Standard® in their Los
Angeles office required an investment of
only 1.73 percent—a small price to pay
for the return: improved engagement,
retention, and connection.
Further, Millennials, who comprise an
increasing proportion of the workforce
(50 percent by 2020) may actively
choose to work for organizations that
demonstrate commitment to well-being.
Without them, businesses will lose talent,
the work they produce and, in the case of
Millennials, a significant portion of
the available workforce.13
By 2020 mental health disorders
and cardiovascular diseases
will be the two prime types of
illnesses in workers.
– World Health Organization, 2010
2 Sodexo, 2014.
3 World Health Organization, 2010.
4 World Green Business Council, 2014.
5 Gallup, 2011.
6 Rex Miller, Mabel Casey, and Mark Konchar, 2014.
7 Adkins, 2014.
8 Renders, 2015.
9 Human Spaces, 2014.
10 J. Parsons, M. Powell, and V. Culpin, 2012.
11 Hewitt, 2011.
12 L. Berry, A. Mirabito, and W. Baun, 2010.
13 Zappile, 2015.
2.5x
8x
3.5x
4x
4. 4
Workplace Design for Well-being / 10.15
Incorporating well-being concepts
into workplace design
A workplace that truly supports the well-
being of its occupants must go beyond
just protecting their physical health. In this
section we offer suggestions for achieving
well-being by taking a holistic approach
that addresses physical and psychological
health and well-being in the workplace.
Design to improve mental health
Numerous factors increase stress levels.
Lack of control over work process and work
space, enclosed and poorly lit spaces, plus
noise and interruptions in concentration
are some key contributors to stress. Some
ways to address this in the workplace
include:
Increase the availability of user control
over the workspace
Fundamentally, environmental control is
about giving people the workplace design,
furnishings, technology, and policy tools
that provide choice over how to work, as
opposed to being limited by the space
or organizational policies. Environmental
control can contribute to number of
benefits, including group effectiveness,
employee engagement, job satisfaction,
and group cohesiveness.
• Specify flexible task lighting so that the
individual can control brightness and
position of lighting source.
• Ensure workplace flexibility through
adjustable furnishings, such as seating,
adjustable height worksurfaces,
shelving, and display.
• Create a variety of individual, group,
and social interaction spaces that let
employees choose the workspace size,
type, furnishings, and technology that
fit their immediate work needs.
Introduce elements of nature into the
workspace
The concept of biophilia suggests that
humans have a biological need to connect
with nature on physical, mental, and
social levels, which can affect personal
well-being, productivity, and societal
relationships. Those who work in
environments that incorporate elements of
the natural environment, such as daylight
and views outside, report a 15 percent
higher level of well-being than those who
work in environments devoid of nature.14
Simply adding plants in the workplace
can have a profound effect on the
improvement of mental health at work, not
to mention improving indoor air quality
and alleviating respiratory issues.
• Ensure workstations and collaborative
areas have a view to the outside.
• Incorporate plants into the design of
the space.
• Design using natural materials and
patterns that evoke nature.
• Create open plan areas to address
people’s affinity for wide, open spaces.
Incorporate more natural light into the
overall office environment
One of the fundamental roles of lighting
is to allow people to see and execute a
task in a safe and comfortable manner. It
allows for reading without causing fatigue,
headaches, or eye strain. Light affects how
people perceive and appreciate a space,
its interior, and its occupants. Depending
on what the activity requires, lighting can
be used to create spaces that appear more
bright and open, or more intimate and
cozy. Light also has a powerful impact on
the mind and body, affecting circadian
rhythms and hormonal activity, which
ultimately affect quality of sleep, energy,
mood, and productivity.
• Ensure workstations receive plenty of
natural light.
• Consider implementing circadian
lighting systems.
• Install task lighting at workstations.
• Design the layout so that glare on
monitors or flat screens is minimal.
14 Human Spaces, 2014.
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Workplace Design for Well-being / 10.15
Minimize noise distractions
Research shows that sounds from nature,
such as birdsong or rippling water, promote
faster recovery from stressful tasks compared
with traffic and ambient building noise, such
as air-conditioning equipment.15
Additional
research suggests that using pleasant
sounds from natural environments to mask
background workplace noise could decrease
employee stress and increase worker
productivity.16
Noise distractions, however, pose challenges
that can be addressed through both design
and policy. The following four person-
centered acoustic principles can be used
to design various spaces with differing
acoustics and to clearly communicate
expectations for how to use those spaces:17
• Displace noise distraction – Provide
both informal collaboration spaces and
spaces that provide quiet. Make it easy
to distinguish between these types of
spaces (e.g., café spaces for breakout
meetings versus phone-free desk areas
resembling a library setting), and make
these spaces easy to access. Some
employers may even want to allow
people to work from“third places”(the
spaces between home and office, such
as coffeehouses), or from home.
• Avoid noise distraction – Refrain from
creating areas that generate noise (e.g.,
hands-free speaker phones) in the
midst of areas where people need to
concentrate. Also, locate noisier teams
apart from quieter teams. Since team
members are more tolerant of noise
from their team members, be sure to
co-locate them.
• Reduce noise distraction – Manage
density and acoustics. Lower density
areas produce less noise. Acoustical
devices (e.g., natural soundscapes)
reduce speech intelligibility and noise
transference across spaces and between
rooms.
• Educate employees – Communicate
policies and design choices that foster
consideration among colleagues.
This helps employees understand
expectations for what type of work
and noise is appropriate in differing
workspaces and how to control noise
distractions for themselves and others.
Design to improve physical health
People can spend an average of 9.5 hours
sitting—even more than they sleep. Statistics
reported by the American Cancer Society
indicate that people who sat for more than 6
hours per day, versus just 3 hours, are more
likely to die sooner (males – 18 percent more
likely; females – 37 percent more likely).18
Some ways to address this concern in the
office include:
Promote changing postures and
movement within the space over the
course of the workday
Giving people the option of sitting or
standing throughout the day, or allowing
them to move from one position to another
is good practice. Research shows that
continuous variation is better than short
periods of exercise, such as gym workouts at
the beginning or end of the day.19
• Incorporate height-adjustable
worksurfaces into the space.
• Strategically locate water fountains,
photocopiers, vending machines, and
other amenities to increase walking in
the space.
• Promote movement by developing
walking routes and encouraging
walking meetings.
• Consider implementing activity based
settings where people are free to move
to their workspace of choice according
to the needs of the task.
Apply ergonomic principles in all spaces
More organizations offer a variety of spaces
to facilitate collaborative work and social
interaction as a way to increase innovation
and productivity, and to promote well-being.
However, traditional office ergonomics do
not usually address these spaces.20
• Design and furnish lounge spaces to
facilitate safe postures.
• Use furniture elements that provide
adequate access to power and data.
• Supply height-adjustable tables or a
variety of worksurfaces of both sitting
and standing height.
• Select lounge furniture with firm seat
and back cushions, preferably with soft,
wide armrests to facilitate safe postures.
17
15 J. Alvarsson, S. Wiens, and M. Nilsson, 2010.
16 H. Jahncke and N. Halin, 2012.
17 N. Oseland and P. Hodsman, 2015.
18 A. Patel, L. Bernstein, A. Deka, H. Spencer, P.
Campbell, S. Gapstur, G. Colditz, and M. Thun, 2010.
19 Kay, 2013.
20 O’Neill, 2014.
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Workplace Design for Well-being / 10.15
Reduce presence of harmful elements
in the ambient environment
The materials of the physical building
itself (e.g., asbestos-free, low VOC levels),
the interior design (e.g., sound absorbing
surfaces, natural lighting at workstations),
and the HVAC system (e.g., air quality), are
a few ways in which the physical elements
of the building can impact well-being.
• Minimize pollutants in the air, water,
and food.
• Use international standards (e.g.,
LEED, BREAM, LBC, CHINA 3 STAR) as
guidelines.
• Implement filtration and monitoring
systems for air and water.
• Specify only“healthy”materials on
furnishings.
• Review and eliminate harmful
cleaning chemicals.
Develop a sense of community
Social interactions among employees
are vital for well-being. Loneliness can
lead to high levels of the stress hormone
cortisol, poor immune function, high blood
pressure, and depression. Unfortunately,
too often, people get stuck in their feelings
of loneliness or rejection, with high levels
of anxiety and fear that lead them to
become even more socially isolated. In fact,
there is a twist to the slogan,“Sitting is the
new smoking.”The Japanese variation is
“Loneliness is the new smoking”that kills.
• Develop policies and activities that
allow employees to build time and
space for social activity into their work
day or after work.
• Offer wellness programs that include
nutrition, fitness, and charitable giving.
• Offer social spaces that let people
connect to each other and the
organization.
• Design space to allow for serendipitous
interactions.
The power of well-being in design
When well-being is“built in”to the design
of space it can be very effective. With
corporate-wide health policies and wellness
programs, employees need to“opt-in”to
actively participate and enjoy the benefits.
Unfortunately, research shows an average
of only 25 percent participation in wellness
programs across the US. When well-being
principles are factored into design, people
are surrounded by it while they work within
the space, making it impossible not to
participate and receiving the benefits of
better psychological and physical health.
Organizations can influence employee
behavior through education, corporate
culture, and the design of their work
environment. When these capabilities
are maximized they can have a positive
effect on people’s health and well-being.
If organizations can provide a work
environment that holistically affects the well-
being, satisfaction, and happiness of their
workforce, they can expect people to be
more engaged, ultimately leading to higher
organizational performance.
Air and Water Purification