The Impact of Design Elements on Wellness in the Built Environment

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1 The Impact of Design Elements on Wellness in the Built Environment Randall R. Russ, (Oklahoma State University) and Kathy Ford Montgomery (Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design) There is little evidence about how design elements impact wellness in the built environment. This paper describes the findings from an exploratory study examining the perceptions of 234 commercial interior designers about the six dimensions of wellness in the workplace. Design professionals agree that the ten design elements included can impact the wellness of the occupants and visitors in an interior space. Interior designers indicated by 98% that they believe interior design does impact wellness. Responses show that there is agreement among design professionals that all six of the dimensions define wellness. Introduction People in the United States presently spend more time at work than in any other country. The World Health Organization (WHO), in a recent white paper, stated that stress in peoples lives has become a worldwide epidemic (WELCOA, 2003). In a survey conducted by Gallup Poll in 2000, 80% of workers surveyed said they feel stress on the job, and nearly half say they need help learning to manage stress. Seventy-five to ninety percent of first time visits to primary care physicians are for health issues related to stress (Anderson, Whitmer, Goetzel, Ozminkowski, Wasserman, & Serxner, 2000). Understanding how the workplace environment contributes to wellness is significant (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2001). The awareness of the importance of human wellness is a topic with growing significance. Companies are relating the wellness of their employees to issues including employee retention, loyalty and recruitment, absenteeism, reducing healthcare costs, improving productivity and employee job satisfaction (Hulett, 2001). The interior built environment might be an important factor for wellness of employees. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to obtain the opinions of design professionals, working in the area of corporate office planning, to determine the relationship between design and wellness. Literature Review The understanding that there is a relationship between the interior built environment and human health and wellbeing is a concept that has not been fully understood, researched 51 or accepted. (Jackson, 2003). Where various institutions or organizations have researched the design of the workplace environment and wellness, most of the research relates to the impact of the built environment on the physical dimension of wellness. For the purpose of this study, the definition written by Dr. Bill Hettler, former Executive Director of the National Wellness Institute, in 1979, has been selected as the working definition of wellness. Each dimension is explained more thoroughly below. Physical wellness: recognizes the need for regular physical activity. Physical development encourages learning about diet and nutrition, while discouraging the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Emotional wellness: recognizes awareness and acceptance of one s feelings. The ability to form interdependent relationships with others based upon mutual commitment, trust and respect is a critical component of emotional wellness. Spiritual wellness: recognizes our search for meaning and purpose in our human existence. Wellness is characterized by a peaceful harmony between internal personal feelings and emotions through life and measuring those against the value system that one adopts. Intellectual wellness: recognizes one s creative stimulating mental activities. A well person expands their knowledge and skills throughout their life. Occupational wellness: recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one s life through work. The ability to contribute to one s work that is personally rewarding is a key element of occupational wellness. Social wellness: encourages contributing to one s environment and community. Social wellness supports making healthy living choices, initiating better communication with others, and building a better world for everyone. It is important to understand the six dimensions of wellness from Dr. Hettler s definition to evaluate how interior design elements affect these dimensions. The Center for the Built Environment at UC Berkley was established to improve the design and operation of commercial buildings. The center conducts research in a

2 major area they call Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). The research areas included are: acoustics, human comfort, speech privacy, team space and collaboration, ventilation and productivity. The existence of this center and the focus areas of their research validate the growing importance of the relationship between the built environment and the impact on the building users. The Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics at Carnegie Mellon University is another research institute with a similar focus. The following design elements should not be considered the only factors that might impact wellness in the interior environment. Design elements included in this study are lighting, ventilation, acoustics, texture, color, use of space, ergonomics, universal design, incorporation of nature, use of art, and sustainability. These design elements may directly impact the dimensions of social, emotional, intellectual, occupational and spiritual wellness. Lighting According to a study conducted by Steelcase, people are increasingly aware of the ill effects of poor lighting design in the workplace. Of the 1,008 employees surveyed, 47% believe that eyestrain was the most serious health hazard of the office environment. In the same study 92% of the employees believe proper lighting was important (Steelcase, Inc., 1991). Ventilation Numerous research studies document the critical importance of indoor air quality to health and wellbeing. In a study conducted at the Polaroid Corporation the sick leave of employees was measured in relationship to increased ventilation rates. Increasing ventilation rates, while lowering humidity, was shown to reduce the sick leave rate almost as much as workforce flu vaccination. On average, employees took five sick days per year due to illnesses caused from low ventilation in their work area. (Milton, Glencross, & Waters, 2000). Acoustics Research indicates that today s workforce believes noise in the work environment inhibits effective work. The findings of a study conducted by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) noted that more than 70 percent of workers believe noise is the most significant workplace distraction. A majority of workers believe reducing distracting noise increases their productivity and that conversation is the type of noise that most affects work performance (ASID, 1996). Texture Tactile changes in interior surfaces or in finish materials create interest, shadows, and visual variety within a space. Texture created from natural materials brings a merger of two of the elements in this research study. They are the elements of texture and incorporation of art. Color Color when applied in the interior environment can have a significant impact on the occupants within that space. Color mixed with light will alter a person s perception of visual contrast. Visual contrast greatly influences people s perceptions of interior environments. It can positively influence mood and behavior. A full range of psychological and emotional effects can be achieved through the use of color (Hegde & Woodson, 1999). Use of Space In an ASID study, (1999) employees and their managers were asked about the importance of the physical workplace environment. Employees identified the effective utilization of space that allows them to work efficiently as the most important aspect of the work environment. Managers were focused on issues of privacy and flexible workspaces but included personal comfort and visual appeal as important in the design of their workspaces. In a follow-up study by ASID, (2002) employees were asked what they want in their ideal workplace. Thirty percent of the employees mentioned access as important in the office environment. They related access to the proximity of spaces that accommodate the tasks they need to execute, access to office equipment, and access to people. Ergonomics A major incentive today is to purchase ergonomic equipment and to design ergonomic environments for the improved performance and wellbeing of office workers. The use of computers demands that the user work within a restricted posture range. The postures that result are not normal for the human body (Schneider, 1985). When the physical environment isn t suited to the physical capacity of the person to perform required tasks, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can result. The effects of these conditions have significant impact on worker productivity and cause financial losses to organizations in terms of lost time, employee efficiency and utilization, insurance and workman s compensation costs (Vettraino, 2003). 52

3 Universal Design Principles The definition of universal design makes a clear connection between the design of the built environment and wellness. The Center for Universal Design defines the term universal design as the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design (Center for Universal Design, 1997). Incorporation of Nature Two studies that investigated the influences that the indoor physical environment has on office worker performance, particularly the potential contributions of windows and daylight, were conducted at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The studies found several physical conditions that were significantly associated with worker performance, when controlling for other influences. Having a better view out of a window, gauged by the size of the window and the greater vegetation content, was consistently associated with better worker performance in six out of eight outcomes considered. Office worker reported better health conditions were strongly associated with better views (California Energy Commission, 2003). Use of Art The availability of research that identifies a correlation between the use of art in the workplace and wellness is quite limited. Ulrich, (1999) conducted experiments in which he measured the effects of art on patient outcomes. His findings state that nature imagery, photographs of nature scenes, reduces anxiety and relaxes patients. Viewing nature imagery reduces systolic blood pressure and pulse, and helps to redirect negative thought. As a result of this, the patients took less pain medication and had shorter hospital stays. Sustainability There is some evidence of reduced absenteeism and increased productivity in green buildings, but little understanding of the links between design features and human outcomes (Heerwagen, 2000). In a case study of the Herman Miller Greenhouse building in Holland, Michigan the links between worker wellbeing and the building features of a green building were tested. The findings indicated significant increases in productivity and quality in product manufacturing, as well as on time delivery. Forty percent said the new building was better for their work performance, privacy and overall work spirit. Workers rated the social environment as better for interaction with co-workers and rated their sense of belonging as better (Heerwagen, 2000). Methodology A survey was conducted to collect the data of this study. The instrument questioned respondents about their opinions relating to the definition of wellness, the design of the workplace, and the impact of that design on wellness. The questionnaire was distributed via electronic mail that directed respondents to a website URL address to access the survey. This format was used to reach a large sample group of interior design professionals, members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and that they design commercial office projects. A purposeful sampling strategy was utilized for the study. The population sample consisted of 2,070 designers, resulting in 234 usable responses for a response rate of 13.4%. Results It is not clear from the survey responses (n=234) that the number of years a respondent has been in practice had a relationship to their opinion about the link between design and wellness. It is interesting to note the large number of survey responses from the group with over 20 years in practice, which is almost double the responses from any other group (See Table 1). The respondents rated all ten design elements from %. The respondents identified the design elements texture, universal design principles, and sustainability as those with the lowest ratings, (86 89%). The design elements lighting, color and ergonomics received the highest ratings. Art received the highest combined rating at 100%. (See Table 2). The responses to a general question of the survey provided insight relating to the perceptions of interior design professionals and their impact on wellness. Interior designers indicated by 98%, that they believed interior design does impact wellness. Responses indicated that there is agreement among design professionals, that all six of the dimensions define wellness. All six dimensions were rated 95-98% in the strongly agree and agree categories. The spiritual dimension received the lowest rating of all dimensions listed, but still achieved a 95% overall agreement rating. (See Table 3). Discussion Design professionals that responded to the survey indicated by significant majority, 98% believed that the interior design of a space has an impact on the well-being of the occupants using that space. It appears that this group of respondents based their opinions on previous project experience, and 53

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5 their intuitive understanding about their clients responses to design solutions. Respondents agreed that the six dimensions of wellness presented in the survey define wellness. All six dimensions received a rating of strongly agree or agree from 95 98%. The spiritual dimension received the lowest agreement score of 95%. The eleven design elements received a more varied rate of response, indicating that this group of design professionals placed greater importance on some elements than others. (See Table 2). Based on the uniformity of the responses, it is possible to generalize the findings to the larger audience of interior design professionals working in the area of commercial office design. Although the survey rate of response was lower than anticipated (13.4%), the consistency of the responses would indicate agreement among this group of design professionals. Limitations This study was limited to one professional organization, interior designers working in the area of commercial office design. It is noted that the respondents provided answers to these questions based on their own experiences, or their intuitive understanding of human response to interior environments and design. Ratings of the dimensions of wellness were the value judgments of the respondents. Their opinions were based on the information provided on the survey form, rather than on previous study or research relating to the concept of wellness. Future Directions Future studies could be conducted to send the same survey document to other professionals in the business environment. Some examples of those groups are: human resource managers, architects, facility managers, employee user groups, and CEOs or CFOs. In addition, to validate the opinions recorded in this study, quantifiable research studies are needed. These studies would measure the change that occurs after design elements that impact wellness are incorporated in the planning for a new office location or renovated space. References American Society of Interior Designers, Armstrong World Industries, Steelcase, Inc., Dynasound, and Milliken & Co. (1996). White paper: Increasing Office Productivity Through Integrated Acoustic Planning and Noise Reduction Strategies. American Society of Interior Designers. (ASID) (1999). Recruiting and Retaining Qualified Employees by Design. American Society of Interior Designers. (ASID) (2002). Workplace Values: How Employees Want to Work. Anderson D. R., Whitmer, R. W., Goetzel, R. Z., Ozminkowski, R. J., Wasserman, J., & Serxner, S. (2000).Health Enhancement Research Organization ( HERO) Research Committee. The Relationship Between Modifiable Health Risks and Group-Level Health Care Expenditures. American Journal for Health Promotion, 15: Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS) Employment Projections. Issued: Accessed California Energy Commission (2003) Technical Report: Windows and Offices: A Study of Office Worker performance and the indoor environment. Oct P A-9. Carnegie Mellon University Research Centers. The Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics. Accessed Center for the Built Environment, College of Environmental Design, University of California Berkley. Accessed Center for Universal Design, (1997) North Carolina State University. Definition and Seven Principles. Hedge, A. L., & Woodson, H. (1999). Effects of Light Source, Color and Visual Contrast. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. 28: Informedesign. Accessed Heerwagen, J. (2000) Do Green Buildings Enhance the Well Being of Workers? Environmental Design and Construction, article reprinted by Herman Miller, Inc. Hettler, Bill. (2003) The Six Dimensional Model of Wellness. Website of the National Wellness Institute, Accessed Hulett, Mary. (2001) Wellness Programs Boost More Than the Bottom line. Charleston Regional Business Journal. Issue: Sept.10, www. crbj.com/articles/2001 Accessed Jackson, R. (2003). The Impact of the Built Environment on Health, an Emerging Field. American Journal of Public Health. Sept.: Johnson and Johnson. First Long-Term Health and Wellness Program Evaluation Confirms Employee benefit, Company savings for Johnson and Johnson. Website of Johnson and Johnson, Accessed Milton, D.K., Glencross, P.M., Walters, M.D., (2000) Risk of Sick Leave Associated with Outdoor Air Supply Rate, Humidification, and Occupant Complaints. Informedesign accessed Schneider, M. F. (1985). Ergonomic and Economics. Office Ergonomics. May/June Steelcase, Inc. (1991) The Office Environment Index, Summary Report, US: pg.13. Ulrich, R. (1999). The Arts of Healing. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 281: Ulrich, R. (2003). The Impact of Flowers and Plants on Workplace Productivity. Texas A & M University. US Army Corps of Engineers, (USACE) (1997). Design Guide for Interiors, Light and Color, Chapter 3: Vettraino, M. (2003). Ergonomics and Work Station Design. Interiors & Sources. Sept Accessed WELCOA, The Wellness Councils of America. Accessed