Office Design as a Sensory Experience

We are often not aware of how a space influences our mood, our energy and our motivation.

Some spaces can feel transactional because little thought has been given to design, but that just shows how powerful design can be.

These transactional, lacklustre spaces do derive a feeling; but it’s a correspondingly lacklustre, low value emotion.

We all know what an average-looking space feels like. An outdated office that looks tired inspires the same feeling in its users – one of lethargy. How productive can you expect colleagues / staff to be in an environment that is not vibrant or energetic?

Businesses are often caught in the trap of focusing on what they are doing but what they are not paying attention to can have just as much influence on the behaviour of its users.

Any office design – good or bad – has a direct impact on the subconscious of your staff, your clients and visitors to the space. This impact contributes directly to their emotions and key work practice drivers.

With any space consider:

▶ What do you want people to feel?
▶ How do you want them to behave?
▶ What do you want them to do?
▶ What do you want them to say about you?

Understanding the key drivers for a space can allow an interior designer to apply space psychology principles, ensuring the physical space influences and drives the required behaviour.

A good space, that drives positive behaviour is good for business.

Just remember – design is a sensory experience.

Lizzi Whaley
CEO