Before the revamp, an Occupancy Evaluation Questionnaire was created in which colleagues told us they wanted more space to recharge, socialise and be productive. In addition, our own studies of the layout revealed that more than 18% of the office spaces were under-used.
So, plans were developed to use these spaces to solve some of the issues revealed in the survey. The team at Oliver Heath Design tackled these challenges using human centred nature-inspired interior design to create a mixture of sociable, active, focused and restorative spaces.
The redesign was so much more than just an exercise in aesthetics.
The design catered for a greater diversity of spaces for people to work and interact in. The OHD team carefully selected timber wood panelling and soft furnishings, such as curtains and furniture, to improve acoustics throughout the open-plan office areas.
What was once a palette of greys and whites, saw the introduction of stimulating greens and teals to enhance and boost individuals’ cognitive and sensory thresholds. Rugs were chosen to create a sense of place while also introducing nature-inspired textures that improved sensory experiences.
The Post Occupancy Survey undertaken by colleagues following the refurbishment made it clear just how much our unique wellbeing approach can improve spaces. By implementing a series of biophilic design strategies, the Oliver Heath Design team boosted several key indicators including:
Colleagues felt that the carefully designed spaces improved several elements key to office life and fedback that improvements could be seen in:
“Oliver Heath Design's remarkable transformation of our office space has fostered greater team cohesion and injected a renewed enthusiasm into our work environment. Their adept expertise and continuous collaboration with our staff has resulted in an innovative redesign of our workspace - leaving a lasting impact. The integration of nature-inspired colours and textures has not only enhanced the visual appeal of our office but has also cultivated an environment that nurtures wellbeing. Surveys conducted before and after the retrofit illustrate the positive influence of biophilic design on our team's overall sense of pride, productivity, and social interactions.”
