# Can The Right Interior Design Improve Workplace Performance?
When workers feel comfortable both physically and emotionally, they become more willing to be open and authentic with their peers—ultimately leading to better performance. This connection between environment and productivity isn't just theory; it's backed by measurable results that forward-thinking companies are already experiencing.
## The Foundation: Comfort Drives Performance
The right environment looks different for every company, but the underlying principle remains constant: spaces should be designed around the company's mission while keeping basic human behavior in mind. When employees feel at ease in their workspace, they build better, more trusting relationships and engage in more genuine collaboration.
Recent studies from Steelcase have consistently shown strong correlations between workspace design and the emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being of employees. The key insight? Different roles require different environments. A salesperson's daily activities differ dramatically from an accountant's—so why should their workspace, floor plan, and acoustic needs be identical?
## Real-World Results: A Case Study
At Tangram Interiors' headquarters, we put these principles to the test during our recent remodel. The challenges were clear: employees were scattered across two floors, limiting collaboration. Workspaces designed a decade earlier still assumed desktop computers, mountains of paperwork, and traditional phone systems. Meeting spaces were scarce, and complementary departments sat far apart, creating communication barriers.
Our solution addressed three key areas:
**Physical Well-being:** We reduced workstation sizes and consolidated everyone onto a single floor, placing related departments adjacent to each other. Every employee received height-adjustable desks and encouragement to work throughout the office based on their tasks.
**Cognitive Well-being:** Inspired by Susan Cain's research on introverts and extroverts, we added multiple small meeting spaces for impromptu collaboration, private calls, or focused work—ensuring every personality type had appropriate spaces.
**Emotional Well-being:** We transformed our materials library into a centralized work café, creating a social hub where employees could build relationships over meals and casual conversations.
The results speak for themselves: improved collaboration, higher employee engagement, increased daily occupancy, and our best performance year to date.
## The Power of Light, Flow, and Technology
Physical surroundings have a measurable impact on creative capacity and performance. Access to natural light and views of nature trigger endorphin release, improving mood and productivity. Spaces with "long views"—high ceilings and minimal visual barriers—help workers think differently and gain new perspectives on challenges.
Technology integration has evolved beyond simply adding devices to spaces. True transformation happens when furniture and technology work together seamlessly. In a recent Seattle project, our industrial design team partnered with technology specialists to create conference rooms perfectly tailored to user needs while maintaining beautiful aesthetics.
The partnership between Steelcase and Microsoft exemplifies this evolution. Their Surface Hub collaboration tool demonstrates how intuitive, integrated technology can enhance rather than complicate workflows. We're moving toward a future where architecture, furniture, and technology connect through IoT devices, allowing us to measure and optimize space performance analytically.
## What to Avoid
Effective workplace design avoids extremes. Balance is crucial: open floor plans need quiet spaces, collaborative areas must be counteracted with privacy options. Swinging too far in any direction creates outliers and employee dissatisfaction.
Common mistakes include:
- **Poor technology integration:** Failing to seamlessly blend technology into the workspace disrupts both aesthetics and workflow - **Inadequate HVAC systems:** Temperature control directly impacts comfort and productivity - **Bad acoustics:** Poor sound management can destroy even the most thoughtfully designed space
## The Office Renaissance
We're experiencing a true office renaissance. Manufacturing costs have decreased while options for both aesthetic appeal and functional performance have reached new heights. Companies can now craft environments that authentically reflect their brand and culture while engaging and empowering their workforce.
As the 2017 Gensler Design Forecast noted: "In a values-based world, brands must live their mission every day. Office buildings function as dynamic ecosystems that support purpose and innovation."
The opportunity is clear—workplaces designed with intention don't just look better; they perform better. The question isn't whether good design impacts performance, but how quickly organizations will embrace this competitive advantage.
