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Use the office environment to achieve success

Published Sep 28, 2010

A new doctoral thesis from KTH researcher Christina Bodin Danielsson demonstrates that the aesthetic dimension of an office is more important for the organisation and employees than previously thought. She has drawn the conclusion that an attractive and pleasant office is not a question of luxury but is a factor for success.

Christina Bodin Danielsson
Christina Bodin Danielsson

“My research shows that an informed design decision whereby the choice of office type and aesthetics, when weighed together, should be given greater consideration than is being given today. The design of the office is a strategic tool for achieving success for companies and organisations. This is because of its impact on employee health and job satisfaction as well as the image of the enterprise and workplace within the company,” says Christina Bodin Danielsson.

By this she means that the aesthetic dimension of the office’s architecture is undervalued relative to its functionality when an office is designed. Research results show that it is the aesthetic experience that dominates the employee’s perception of their own workplace and the organisation.

“The greater the aesthetic quality felt by employees, the more positive they are towards work, the company itself and also to office functionality,” says Christina Bodin Danielsson.

In addition to these beneficial effects on the staff and organisation as a whole provided by a beautiful and comfortable office, research findings indicate that employees who enjoy working in their offices have a more positive image of their work and the organisation as a whole. They also tend to be less irritated about things that do not work at the workplace.

Furthermore, Christina Bodin Danielsson’s research indicates that the type of office in itself is of great importance. Employees in private offices (single rooms) and flex offices feel best and are happiest with their working environment. There are two office types that may appear to be in direct opposition to each other, but Christina Bodin Danielsson argues that the explanation for the two office types’ positive impact is that they both provide the individual with a good opportunity to exercise so-called “personal control”, something traditional office landscapes do not make possible.

Overall, employees in Sweden’s most common form of office - the average size open-plan office with 10-24 people per room - have the worst health status and job satisfaction. Office type can be therefore be classified as a high risk choice.

The thesis has previously attracted much attention in internationally published studies since it has been able to show that the choice of office type in itself has a major impact on for example health status, sick leave, job satisfaction and how you feel about your work environment - all important factors for business success.

Christina Bodin Danielsson has an architectural degree from the KTH School of Architecture, Lund University and a licentiate degree from KTH. Her interest in architecture’s impact on human welfare is based on her experience as a practicing architect. Since taking her licentiate degree, she divides her time between her job as an architect specialised in office and organisations, research and teaching at the KTH School of Architecture and at the Karolinska Institute. She has also taught and lectured on the environment’s impact on the individual and on organisations in industry; she has also worked in Europe, USA and South Africa.

For more information, contact Christina Bodin Danielsson at 073-255 78 58 or christina.bodin.danielsson@arch.kth.se.

Peter Larsson