With the spread of hybrid working, and in the anxiety-inducing context of the health crisis, it's time to rethink the workspace, to make it more user-friendly, comfortable, breathable and quiet. Without forgetting to make room for nature. Here we take a look at the trends in workspace design for 2022.
Home-like comfort: work in cocoon mode
Since the onset of the health crisis and the spread of telecommuting, employees have become particularly sensitive to work environments that replicate thecomforts of home. Spaces for creativity and brainstorming, with ottomans, hammocks or swings, nap rooms, libraries, fitted kitchens, little bubbles for concentrating and isolating oneself", etc.: thelayout of offices must encourage multiple atmospheres so that everyone can find their "happiness" and use these different spaces according to their needs and the time of day. Furniture also evolves and enriches: it's not uncommon today to install sofas, coffee tables, bookcases, rugs, curtains, poufs and cushions in workspaces. And when it comes to materials, we're no longer afraid of leather or wood, natural materials, warm colors and decorative wallpapers that evoke the warmth and intimacy of the home.
Air quality: breathing easier
The Covid pandemic highlighted this major health issue, as the virus spread widely by airborne means in closed rooms. Particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in ambient air can also cause coughing, respiratory discomfort, bronchial and sinus irritation, asthma attacks, fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, etc.
In workspaces, indoor air quality must be taken into account at every stage: from the design and choice of construction method, during the fit-out phase and choice of materials, to day-to-day use and maintenance. The Octopuslab company, for example, offers indoor air quality modeling software to help you make the right choices when designing or renovating buildings. And since we can't necessarily "deconstruct" everything, a wide range of equipment is available for better day-to-day control of ventilation, humidity regulation and the elimination of pollutant emissions (CO2 sensors, air purifiers, etc.).
Sound comfort: balancing sound levels
Noise and noise pollution, particularly in open-plan offices, are a source of fatigue and stress, but also, in the long term, of sleep disorders, cardiovascular problems and reduced cognitive performance. Poor acoustic comfort can lead to absenteeism and lower productivity. Conversely, by optimizing acoustics, you can boost concentration and efficiency. A wide range of acoustic solutions are available, including privacy zones, phone booths, wall-mounted or suspended acoustic panels that are both decorative and insulating, ceiling-mounted tiles, free-standing or desk-mounted partitions, acoustic armchairs and more.
Green spaces
Polluting, de-stressing, refreshing, green plants have many virtues. Various studies show that there is a direct link between greenery in the office and employees' well-being. But also their productivity: having plants or flowers in the office would increase it by 15%, according to a Cardiff University study carried out in 2014. A Norwegian study also showed that absenteeism fell by 10% when green plants were present in the workspace. The survey also revealed that plants can reduce migraines by 45% and chronic fatigue by 32%.
There are many ways to bring nature into the office: simple potted office plants, terrariums or Japanese kokedamas, plant islands, plant walls or plant partitions, lined with plants between two bay windows, which become an architectural element in their own right, creating a certain intimacy and also helping to reduce noise.
Source :
1- https://www.inrs.fr/risques/bruit/effets-sante.html
2 - https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/47147-flower-power
3 - https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/dossiers/medecine-bien-etre-sante-nature-1491/page/5/