There is so much more to place than just space. A ‘space’ is physical. It is somewhere you go. Somewhere you occupy. A ‘place’ is something that transcends location. A place creates an experience, a memory, a feeling, a sense of community. It can inspire, motivate and enlighten.
People are the product of their environment so creating a well-place will set people and your workplace up for success. Supporting health and well-being makes people feel valued and important. It reduces absenteeism and results in a more energised and productive team.
Every manager knows the costs and inconvenience of hiring and training new staff. Retaining talent is a top priority. A well-place creates a strong workplace culture. Not only will people stay loyal to your workplace, but you will become known as an employer of choice.
The first stage of creating a well-place is to ask questions. Listen to your staff.
Once you have a vision for your well-place, the ten core concepts of the Well Building Standard™ will help you make it a reality. Those concepts are:
Let’s look at a summary of each concept.
Air quality is important from both a comfort, satisfaction and safety perspective. Workplace Health & Safety laws cover some aspects of air quality but ticking boxes can miss the point of a well-place. Discuss your staff’s perception about the air quality in your workplace. Ventilation (natural and mechanical) and HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration are particularly important.
Nearly two thirds of the human body is made up of water so healthy drinking water is crucial. The WELL Building Standard covers this as well as moisture management (e.g. condensation, leaks, mould).
It can be tempting to eat unhealthy snacks and takeaway lunches. Changing this starts with leadership from the top. Provide fresh fruit. Include comfortable and clean food preparation areas within your office design plans. Most importantly, practise what you preach!
Natural light is typically cited by employees as the biggest contributor to their well-being in the workplace. As well as being desirable, exposure to natural light reduces the likelihood of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition that causes depression. Windows and skylights should be incorporated into the workplace design. Smart lighting is the next best thing to natural light.
A well-place promotes physical activity. Shower and locker facilities have a small footprint and will encourage staff to take exercise en route to work or during the day.
The WELL Building Standard movement concept includes ergonomics. Ergonomic chairs are a must. Active furnishings such as sit-stand workstations or treadmill desks will help staff take movement at work to the next level!
Motivation, mood and focus are all influenced by thermal comfort. Although it is impossible to keep everybody happy, thermal zoning within the workplace design, individual room controls and humidity control will assist greatly.
Acoustics is a challenge within many workplaces, creating annoyance and a privacy risk. Acoustic panels will help to absorb noise and reverberation. Sound masking, such as music, can also help.
Using natural and sustainable materials will make your staff proud to work for a workplace that proactively cares for the environment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be present in cleaning products, paint, adhesives, composite wood, flooring, wall panels, insulation and furniture. Choose low-VOC emitting materials during an office refurbishment.
Healthy minds lead to a productive workplace. This is where the ‘emotional design’ of a workplace becomes important. Think about the emotional journey of your staff during their workday.
Biophilic design is a major contributor to a healthy mind. The term biophilia means ‘love of living things’, and nature’s impact on the senses cannot be denied. Plants are an easy way to introduce biophilic elements. Artwork that features nature and nature-resembling colours such as green, blue and brown are easy changes you can make with a minor office refurbishment.
Feeling part of a community makes human beings feel safe and accepted. Staff will be engaged and motivated to give the best of themselves to your workplace. Office designs should include communal areas for meetings and breakout time. Diversity and inclusion programs, social clubs and events promote community at work.
Embracing the concepts within the WELL Building Standard will produce tangible results and benefits to your business. Building a well-place is an evolving journey that you can add to and improve over time. Make a start today!
For more information, please call Evoke Projects on 1300 720 692.
