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By: Harsh Mittal and Divyam Bisht.
1-2 Student, Department of Architecture, DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Modern workplaces are no longer just places to sit and work – they are environments that shape how people think, feel, and perform every single day. A well-designed office can energize, calm, or motivate its users, while a poorly designed one can quietly drain their focus and well-being. This study examines how lighting, ventilation, acoustics, privacy, greenery, and spatial layout influence the psychological experience of office users. Insights from 20 key research papers show that well-lit, clearly organized spaces reduce mental strain and support focus, whereas noise and lack of privacy remain major triggers of stress in many contemporary offices, especially open-plan layouts. Literature also emphasizes that natural ventilation and greenery play a crucial role in emotional balance, particularly in Indian contexts where environmental discomfort is common. Activity-Based Workplace (ABW) models emerge as a strong design response by offering quiet zones, collaborative areas, and flexible work settings suited to different tasks. A survey of 45 users strongly reflected these findings. Participants were generally satisfied with lighting and layout but frequently noted dissatisfaction with noise, privacy, ventilation, and limited natural elements. These concerns mirror the literature and highlight the need for more restorative, flexible, and user-centered spaces. Overall, the study finds that psychological comfort depends on balancing acoustics, privacy, greenery, ventilation, and spatial choice – principles best supported by ABW-inspired design.
Keywords: Workplace psychology, activity-based workplaces (ABW), environmental comfort, user well-being, office design parameters
Citation:
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