The Changing Nature
of the Workplace
Environment
The environment our children are growing up in is ever-changing, turbulent and fast-paced. Educators, parents and employers are having to prepare children for jobs which don’t even exist yet. Social, economic and technological change in our society means that our workplace environment must change and develop too. Previously, designers of workplaces have concentrated on health, safety and hygiene, but there is now a recognition that the stresses of our fast paced world need to be counterbalanced.
Research
Surveys conducted by Herman Miller, the Future Laboratory and Human
Spaces all indicate a growing understanding of the need to create workplace environments which will counteract the stresses caused by our increasingly turbulent world. Workers now look for (and expect) an environment which will not only provide space to work, but will also contribute to their sense of well-being, security, purpose and achievement. Within one organisation, the diversity of jobs means that employers need to think more carefully about how they structure and organise the working space they provide for their workforce. It is becoming widely recognised that the most effective work spaces create and support a variety of different working environments which balance the psychological needs of people with the tasks which need to be done.
Therefore, in one office there could be an area for collaborative work;
an area for working quietly; an area for socialising or hosting;
an area for team meetings; or an area to unwind and relax.
Diversity
The ability to create a mix of diverse workspaces means that an organisation can create balance for its workers, thereby optimising their potential productivity and output. The workplace today has changed dramatically. People are more mindful of how their environment affects their mental health and performance. Studies, such as that by ‘Human Spaces’, report that simple basic requirements such as natural light, quiet working spaces, pleasant views and bright colours are factors which have a positive impact on a work force, in terms of creativity, productivity, and happiness.
The Hub
The Acoustic Hub meets all these requirements and more. It is designed with the key idea of a return to the natural world as its basis: using high quality wood, glass, fabrics and paints to create a multi -purpose space where people can gather and communicate, teach and learn, think and concentrate. It highlights a return to basics, providing light, space and privacy.
