Ka
ng
sh
uo(^) Ta
ng
, (^) c
ou
rte
sy
(^) o
f (^) M
at
Offi
ce
Including the GREAT OUTDOORS
in work environments can wildly
improve job satisfaction.
A recent research poll, held by HR advisory
firm The Future Workplace, painted a thought-
provoking picture: among a group of 1,614 North
American employees, the number-one determiner
of workplace environment quality was access
to outdoor views and natural light. Yet another
survey, conducted by biophilic design expert
Ambius, found that 35 per cent of the workforce
spends no more than 15 minutes outdoors on an
average workday. Access to greenery and fresh
air trumped the importance of every other
premium benefit, including on-site childcare
and the presence of a cafeteria.
Mid-day lethargy and sore joints are
common side-effects of spending an entire day
OPEN THE DOORS
inside, sitting at a computer. This undoubtedly
has an enormous impact on mental clarity and
workplace productivity – the surveys convey
the idea that perhaps we should keep in mind
that it was only after a raucous half hour on the
playground that we were able to focus as young
children in primary school. Our smartphones
register and literally visualize the time we’ve spent
looking at our screens – an amount that, for most,
completely dwarfs the time spent on outdoor
activities. Patio-inspired spaces in which to work
and recreate are popping up in the office and in
the open air, providing workers with both the
necessary contact with the outdoors and a
placeto connect with colleagues in a relaxed way.
And so they should – it’s high time to start
regarding the time we spend offline as just
as advantageous to – if not our output in the
workplace – our personal health and inner
sanctity. – LGM
In a quiet area of Beijing, an old office building needed to be remodelled to suit the
needs of a 100-room youth apartment complex. Mat Office undertook the project of
the tree courtyard, a design that introduces new residential functions for the tenants,
creating a communal space that can be used for leisure or for work.
matoffice.com
174 REPORTS