There is really no doubt that the design of our hashtag#workspaces has a direct impact on employee health and productivity.

As sedentary lifestyles become more common, it’s critical to integrate features in the workplace that encourage physical activity.

Here are some ways to consider in your next workplace project:

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬
Active design is a practical solution to incorporate into the workspace. It includes:
✅ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭: Make stairwells more prominent to encourage use over elevators.
✅ 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬: Design areas that can be easily reconfigured for different tasks and collaborations.
✅ 𝐒𝐢𝐭-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐬: Provide adjustable desks to give employees the choice to alternate between sitting and standing.

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬
Designing for movement involves more than just the physical space—it’s about a mindset. Key strategies include:
✅ 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬: Encourage movement and spontaneous interaction.
✅ 𝐄𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Choose designs that promote good posture and comfort while encouraging movement.
✅ 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞: Use signs to prompt and remind employees about opportunities for physical activity.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝
It’s important to create an environment that supports both mental and physical well-being:
✅ 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: Ensure work areas have plenty of light to boost mood and productivity.
✅ 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Use plants and natural materials to improve air quality and reduce stress.
✅𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Offer a variety of seating to support different work preferences and postures.

Overall, the designers I’ve discussed this with tell me that there are two main outcomes to aim for:
✅ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Implement features (like bike storage and walking paths for example).
✅𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 hashtag#health and hashtag#productivity: Recognize that an active workforce is a more productive one.

There are many other ways to achieve this that I haven’t mentioned here.
Can you think of them?

#mobilityinworkplace #workplacedesign #mindfuldesign #biophilicdesign #innovationindesign