3 Keys to Designing Healthier Environments
Designers and office managers are facing new challenges as they try to plan for getting employees safely back to their desks. Temporary measures may include plastic shields and spreading out workspaces but how can we plan for longterm, sustainable options? Here are 3 keys to designing healthier environments that will last well into the future. 1. Easy Maintenance When we think about cleaning options from a design perspective, materials must be taken into account. Great looking materials can quickly turn into a frustration if they are not easy to clean and maintain, especially in this current environment that requires extra disinfection. It’s important in high-use environments to design with materials that can withstand not only high traffic, but also heavy cleaning and disinfecting. 2. True Sustainability With all of the latest requirements for personal protective equipment, disposable cleaning supplies, and one-time-use products, we are starting to increase our pollution once again. Designs that consider ways to create less waste will be more important than ever to help us offset the effects of these latest precautions. Choosing materials that can be recycled or are made from recycled materials is a great start. 3. Healthy Acoustics Finally, repeated studies continue to show that one of the key components when it comes to designing for health and wellness, is the acoustics in a space. Statistically, workers can be nearly 65% less productive in noisy environments than they are in quieter offices. There are also proven correlations between distractions and increased anxiety. When stress becomes a chronic factor, even our physical health can be affected! Multiple distractions can add up over time. When people are constantly distracted or interrupted, they may never manage to fully focus throughout their workday. As a result, the opportunities for deep thinking, creativity, and productivity are greatly reduced. Designs that incorporate good acoustics can contribute to a healthier environment, increase the sense of privacy, and enhance the productivity and well-being of those who occupy that space.
The Geometry of Design
While it may seem like a modern trend, geometric design has been around as long as there has been art. Like most design trends, geometric patterns have taken on different styles through the years, but the fundamentals remain the same. Here are some simple yet classic ways to integrate geometric patterns into any design. Pattern Using patterns is a simple way to immediately add interest and a theme into your design. Patterns can be as subtle as a plank floor or as decorative as a vibrant wallpaper. The repetition of single elements of design is a way to naturally create unity within the space. Pattern also increases visual excitement by simulating depth even on a flat surface. Patterns are found everywhere in nature, so bringing them into an office, home, or commercial environment can create a sense of harmony and order. Texture Texture can be used to create designs even in a monochromatic form. Adding texture to walls and floors will not only create interest- it can also help with way-finding and acoustics. Using the right texture on floors can increase safety by eliminating slick surfaces to create a safer walkway. Dimensional wall tiles in large open environments can also reduce or absorb excess noise. Walls Walls can easily be overlooked as one of the simplest ways to create focus and impact in a room or building. Plain, white walls are uninspiring but it doesn’t have to be so! Just a bit of paint can update your space for very little cost and effort. Take it to another level by using interesting wallcoverings. Introduce both texture and pattern with dimensional wall tiles. The color combinations are endless, the applications are quick and easy. You will love seeing how your space will be transformed. Take a minute to evaluate your workspace and think about what a little pattern can do!