Ways to Build the Workplace for Well-being The built environment has an enormous effect on our physical and mental health. Designers, architects and builders can be more effective in achieving public health goals than those in the related medical health professions. The design of built places impacts our well-being and performance in the workplace, and, people’s health should be the foundation of workplace design. Here are several strategies to build the workplace for well-being. Provide choice on how, when and where people work. Choice and flexibility leads to feelings of control in the workplace; control leads to increased quality and productivity of work. Use the full range of biophilia. The first level of biophilic design is to incorporate real plants, vegetation, water and views of nature into buildings. The second level is to create natural analogues (one step from actual nature) which include materials and patterns that evoke nature such as artwork, sculptures, biomorphic forms and natural materials. The third level is to use the configuration of space by organizing interior spaces that mimic outdoor areas by using sociopetal seating arrangements, curved walls, dividers, natural light and viewscapes.
Concourse of the Chan Center for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia, CA. The Center builds interior spaces that mimic neighbouring outdoor areas by the use of curved glass walls, natural light and views of nature.
174