Chloe Sproston, Creative Director of workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors explains the importance of creating flexible, sustainable, and biophilic workspaces that encourage the next generation of employee to work from an office.

CREATE A THRIVING WORKPLACE: DESIGN YOUR OFFICE TO MEET EMOTIONAL NEEDS

If you walk into a drab and lifeless office, how do you feel? Probably a bit drab and lifeless?

On the flip side, if you walk into an office that's had a lot of thought put into the décor and layout to create an uplifting, inspiring and motivational workspace you'll hopefully feel similar emotions.

So, it's pretty clear that office design has an emotional impact on the people that work there. Looking to the future, as more people from Generation Z (Gen Z) enter the workplace, considering their needs will be increasingly important because they are far more discerning when it comes to what matters in a workplace and expect environmental consciousness, sustainability and employee wellbeing to be engrained in the company ethos.

WHY DESIGN FOR EMOTIONAL NEEDS?

At a time when a lot of employers are struggling to get teams back together – focusing more on emotional needs as part of developing your workplace strategy will help ensure teams are much more inclined to come to the office.

According to the Human Givens approach, humans are born with a set of nine innate emotional needs that must be satisfied if we're to feel emotionally well:

• Security – a safe environment which allows us to develop fully

• Attention – giving as well as receiving it

• Control – having a sense of autonomy and control

• Community – feeling connected to a wider community

• Intimacy – somebody who accepts us for who we are

• Status – a sense of status within social groupings

• Achievement – a sense of our competence and abilities

• Privacy – the opportunity to reflect and consolidate experience

• Meaning and purpose

Reading these, you can see how elements of your workplace can help or hinder how people feel at work.

COMFORTABLE AND FLEXIBLE FURNITURE

Furniture plays a huge part in providing comfort and support at work, and meet the ‘control' and ‘privacy' human needs. Introducing comfortable and ergonomic furniture, meeting pods to provide private enclosed spaces to work individually or as a group and create a sense of privacy that also supports concentration and focus.

GREEN SPACES & BIOPHILLICS

Greener spaces reduce stress, improve mood and increase people's overall sense of wellbeing. So add plants and other forms of biophilic greenery to create a calming and grounding effect. They can screen desk areas to look nice and absorb sound too. Outdoor spaces for people to use for a moment of quiet or to their lunch break. This also caters to the ‘community' emotional need by giving spaces for socialising.

COLLABORATIVE SPACES

Creating spaces for collaboration and teamwork also fosters communities. Working in teams to achieve a common goal gives a sense of status within social groups, and also intimacy – being accepted for who you are.

A work café is a great example of this. Provide a mix of seating styles, great coffee, healthy snacks, and of course charging points.

COLOURS AND TEXTURES (CONSIDER THEM WISELY!)

The colours and textures in your office have an impact on emotional wellbeing. Warm, inviting colours and textures create a calming and supportive environment. Whereas cooler colours and more industrial textures energise and focus your team.

Also be mindful of your neurodivergent team members and talk to your team to ensure you provide a range of working solutions that look after everyone's emotional needs.

INCLUSIVITY

Being inclusive means meeting your team's attention emotional need by providing a sense of belonging, acceptance, and understanding. This could be ensuring that all areas of the office are easily accessible to employees with disabilities, prayer rooms, decorating with diverse artwork and murals, or naming meeting rooms after important people from different backgrounds.

NATURAL LIGHT

Natural light regulates our circadian rhythm, reduces stress and increases feelings of wellbeing – boosting overall happiness. If you do struggle for natural light, try replacing harsh fluorescent lights with softer lamps.

HEALTHY WORKPLACE CULTURE

Workplace wellness relies on more than nice office surroundings. Culture, including a sense of meaning and purpose, provide the foundations for a workplace where everyone feels fulfilled and engaged. By using key messages within décor you can communicate the company's mission and vision so it's clear how every piece of work contributes to the bigger picture.

Status and achievement are also important emotional needs that should be met at work. Celebrate your team's hard work and accomplishments, alongside the provision of development opportunities. This will help them feel valued and accomplished in their work.

IN CONCLUSION

By considering the emotional needs of your people during the workplace consultancy stage of the office design journey, you can create a supportive and fulfilling workplace that fosters productivity, enjoyment and employee wellbeing.