The Outdoor Workplace: How Landscape Architecture Transforms Employee Wellbeing

The spaces we inhabit, both in terms of our home and working lives, can have a huge impact on our #wellbeing. In the workplace well-being cuts across many different aspects of a business and, since the pandemic, many organisations have realised that employee well-being is no longer a ‘nice to have’, but a necessity if they are to attract and maintain high-calibre employees.

Issues such as burnout, anxiety and stress were already on the rise and now, with a range of working options, many employees have a far better understanding of how and where they want to work. In response, many employers are reviewing their physical spaces and landscapes to enhance wellbeing at work by creating environments that promote physical and mental health, productivity, and overall satisfaction among employees. The design options are numerous but include:

Landscape architecture emerges as a critical player in this transformation, offering a range of design options that promote physical and mental health, productivity, and overall happiness among employees:

🌱 Biophilic Design that incorporates elements of nature such as plants, natural materials and water features into the built environment can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance cognitive function and create a more pleasant and calming atmosphere.

🌳 Green Spaces such as gardens, courtyards or rooftop gardens give employees access to nature during their workday and provide areas for relaxation, lunch breaks, or outdoor meetings whilst enabling a stronger connection to the natural world.

🏞️ Outdoor Workspaces with comfortable seating and appropriate shading can offer employees an alternative to indoor workspaces which stimulate creativity and contribute to improved job satisfaction and wellbeing.

🚴‍♀️ Physical Activity Opportunities such as walking paths, outdoor gyms, or cycle storage, encourage regular physical activity which can boost energy levels, reduce stress, and help alleviate obesity.

🤝 Social Spaces that encourage social interaction and collaboration among co-workers, fostering a sense of community and supporting employee wellbeing by reducing feelings of isolation.

Embracing these principles of landscape architecture can profoundly impact employee wellbeing. Take, for instance, our inspiring projects the Thames Valley Science Park and Tower Works, which exemplify how thoughtful design can transform workspaces into thriving environments.

With the benefits to businesses being so obvious, should developing policies that look at the use of physical spaces to deliver well-being outcomes be at the top of all leaders ‘to do’ list?

How has your workplace adapted to enhance employee wellbeing? Share your thoughts below! 👇