Candido, C; Thomas, L; Haddad, S; Zhang, F; Mackey, M and Ye, W (2019) Designing activity-based workspaces: Satisfaction, productivity and physical activity. Building Research & Information, 47(3), pp. 275-289. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Activity-based working (ABW) provides office workers with a variety of indoor workspaces purposively designed to accommodate different tasks. Despite an increased use of ABW, studies focusing on its impact and the resultant office design are yet to follow suit. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by providing empirical evidence from studies conducted before and after relocation from contemporary open-plan offices to ABW spaces. Results from post-occupancy evaluation (POE) surveys (n = 896 responses), spot measurements of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and step-count monitoring (one case study; n = 20 participants) before and after relocation are reported. A total of 10 workspaces participated (six combi and four ABW) in this study. Design features were documented and analyzed. While there were limited differences in the measured IEQ conditions between office layouts investigated here, ABW workspaces yielded significantly higher satisfaction results on key IEQ dimensions, perceived productivity and health. Office layout was also found as a significant (or nearly significant) predictor of occupants' lightly active and sedentary time but did not affect occupants' daily step counts and distance they travelled. These results highlight the significance and impact of office layout and human-centred approach to design on occupants' satisfaction, perceived productivity and incidental physical activity opportunities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | activity-based working; behaviour; facilities management; green buildings; indoor environmental quality; physical activity; post-occupancy evaluation; workplace; workspace design |
| Index terms: | relocation, survey, physical activity, green building, evidence, facilities management, satisfaction, case study, workspace, productivity, post-occupancy evaluation, monitoring, indoor environmental quality, office layout, dimension, office design |
| Subjects: | health monitoring assessment and metrics, evaluation methods, project delivery, control systems, health behaviours and lifestyles, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, environmental health, market analysis, specialized design, management, design practice |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Design Practice, Site Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Stakeholder Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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