Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Facilitate Magazine Issues
  • February 2020
Content
Comment

Beyond aesthetics

Open-access content 29th January 2020
web_p35_Murray-Hibbert_BW

Read: Perry Timms here

Read: Will Easton here

Read: Leanne Sullivan here 

03 February 2020 | Murray Hibbert


In future, office design will focus less on aesthetics and more on influencing employee performance, says Murray Hibbert.

In future, office design will focus less on aesthetics and more on influencing employee performance. Lighting, acoustics, and the psychological impact of colours and smells will be vital considerations. 

Technological advances have precipitated a huge shift in the way people work, ushering in a new era of connectivity and flexible working. Thus, designing space to accommodate different work styles is becoming the norm. A shift in attitude is taking place - the workspace will be designed to fit the worker.  

Employee requirements are set to play an even bigger role in influencing design decisions. We're already seeing evidence of this as companies seek to understand how well their workspace accommodates the way employees work. 

Workplace layout will seek to enhance employee performance. The right lighting, for example, in terms of both illumination and colour temperature, has been shown to help combat fatigue and enhance wellbeing, so it will be prioritised. 

The right acoustics help people to concentrate and produce their best work. According to research, just 30 per cent of office occupants are currently happy with the noise levels at work, so it is clear there is scope for improvement.

The power of scent will also increasingly be harnessed to improve staff experience and stimulate particular behaviours. For example, citrus scents are known to stimulate creativity, whereas rosemary can be used to encourage mental clarity. 

We know from our customers that there is an appetite among forward-thinking companies to tackle office design holistically, putting thought into how every element can benefit employee performance. 

We can expect many more firms to look beyond aesthetics as they switch on the productivity benefits of employee-focused design.


Murray Hibbert is client relations director at Habit Action

February 2020
This article appeared in our February 2020 issue of Facilitate Magazine.
Click here to view this issue
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Most-Popular

 

Latest Jobs

Facilities & Internal Projects Manager

London (Central)
£42,000 per annum
Reference
55487

MANAGING AGENT - BUILDING MANAGER - TROPHY ASSET

London (Central)
£42K TO £48K+BENS
Reference
55483

FACILITIES MANAGER - RESIDENTIAL PORTFOLIO - CENTRAL LONDON

London (Central)
£40k to £46k+bens
Reference
55482
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive, Level 5, 78 Chamber Street, London, E1 8BL