# Interview with Joe Lozowski: Can The Right Interior Design Improve Workplace Performance?
When employees feel comfortable both physically and emotionally in their workspace, something remarkable happens. They become more open, authentic, and collaborative with their colleagues—ultimately driving better performance across the organization.
This insight comes from Joe Lozowski, CEO of Tangram Interiors, who has witnessed firsthand how thoughtful interior design can transform workplace dynamics. We sat down with Lozowski to explore how smart design choices create environments that support human behavior and boost productivity.
## The Foundation: Comfort Drives Performance
**GlobeSt.com:** How does workplace performance increase with the right interior design?
**Lozowski:** The right environment is different for every company. We try to create workplaces designed for the company's mission while keeping in mind basic human behavior. When workers feel comfortable both physically and emotionally, they are more willing to be open and authentic with their peers, which creates better, more trusting relationships, more genuine collaboration and, ultimately, better performance.
Over the past few years, Steelcase has released studies correlating space to the emotional, physical and cognitive well-being of employees. There's been a dramatic increase in interest around how different types of people and groups work. We all know that the day-to-day activities of a salesperson and an accountant are very different, so why should their workspace, floorplan and acoustic layout be the same?
Instead of applying one-size-fits-all solutions, we're providing tailored environments for specific groups of workers that allow for increased satisfaction and performance. We're simply not working the same way we used to, and the environments need to evolve to satisfy employee well-being.
## Real Results: A Headquarters Transformation
We recently remodeled our own headquarters based on this research, and the proof is in the numbers. Our employees were previously spread across two floors, inhibiting effective collaboration. The workspaces were designed 10 years prior, when most workers still had desktop computers, mountains of paperwork, and desktop phones.
Real estate efficiency was poor, and there were virtually no small or medium-sized meeting areas close to workstations. Employees in complementary departments—sometimes even in the same department—weren't placed near each other, creating communication barriers.
### Physical Well-being Improvements
To support staff physical well-being, we reduced workstation sizes, which allowed us to move everyone onto the first floor and place like departments next to each other. We implemented a design philosophy called **Choice and Control**, giving employees the ability to choose their working position and posture.
All resident workers received height-adjustable desks and were encouraged to work in different places around the office, utilize walkstations, and move around throughout their day based on tasks at hand.
### Cognitive Well-being Focus
Changes for cognitive well-being stemmed from a partnership Steelcase had with author Susan Cain, who wrote *Quiet* and gave a popular TED talk. Her study on introverts versus extroverts led to increased spaces specifically designed for heads-down work or as sanctuaries away from the open office to accommodate every personality type.
We added several small meeting spaces around the office to allow for impromptu collaboration, personal calls, or focused work.
### Emotional Well-being Enhancement
To support emotional well-being, we transformed our materials library into a centralized work café serving as a social hub for employees to gather, eat, and build relationships.
Since opening the new showroom, we've seen a significant cultural shift. There's better collaboration, and employees are more engaged in their work and with each other. More people use the showroom daily—both employees and clients—and as a result, we had our best year yet in 2016.
## The Power of Light, Flow, and Technology
**GlobeSt.com:** How do light, flow and technology improve workplace performance?
**Lozowski:** Recent studies show a strong correlation between physical surroundings, creative capacity, and performance. Benefits like access to natural light or views of nature can cause the brain to release endorphins, improving mood and increasing productivity.
Research also shows that spaces creating "long views"—high ceilings, minimal visual impediments—can help workers engage in new ways of thinking and see ideas from fresh perspectives.
Technology in the workplace is ubiquitous, but not all systems are created equal. One of the most amazing transformations we're seeing is the true integration of furniture and technology with the intention to improve and optimize user experience.
For example, on a large Seattle project, our industrial design and engineering team in Tangram Studio partnered with technology specialists to design conference rooms perfectly tailored to user function while providing beautiful aesthetics.
Workplace technology is also becoming easier to use and navigate. Steelcase and Microsoft announced a partnership around workplace integrations and the Microsoft Surface Hub, which is the easiest and most intuitive collaboration tool we've used.
This partnership shows that technology and physical space integration is just beginning. We'll continue to see architecture, furniture, technology, and building management tools connect via IoT devices so we can measure and track space optimization.
Workplace performance directly relates to our environment—noise level, distractions, temperature, lighting—but until recently we couldn't study all these platforms together analytically. Technology systems also aid in recruiting new talent, especially tech-savvy Millennials entering the workforce.
## What to Avoid: The Importance of Balance
**GlobeSt.com:** What interior-design elements should be avoided for maximum workplace performance?
**Lozowski:** When creating spaces that maximize employee engagement and performance, we advise clients against gravitating toward extremes. A productive workspace is all about balance: counteracting an open floorplan with adequate quiet spaces, giving employees access to both collaborative areas and spaces offering privacy.
Outfitting a space with one extreme or another creates outliers, leading to employee dissatisfaction and lower workplace performance.
Another common mistake is not realizing the importance of integrating technology into the workplace. Technology integration creates a more cohesive aesthetic while improving workflow and performance.
Additionally, poor HVAC systems and bad acoustics can create negative workplace conditions that seriously affect employee satisfaction rates.
## The Office Renaissance
**GlobeSt.com:** What else should our readers know about this topic?
**Lozowski:** We're in an exciting time right now—a true office renaissance—where manufacturing costs have been driven down, and the ability to shop for both aesthetic and function is at an all-time high.
Customers can craft environments that reflect their brand and culture while engaging and empowering their workforces. As stated in the Gensler 2017 Design Forecast: "In a values-based world, brands must live their mission every day. Office buildings function as dynamic ecosystems that support purpose and innovation."
The key is understanding that workplace design isn't just about creating beautiful spaces—it's about creating environments that support human behavior, foster collaboration, and ultimately drive business success. When we get the balance right between physical comfort, cognitive support, and emotional well-being, the results speak for themselves.
