Short answer

Maximize window size and minimize frame obstruction in co-working office designs to enhance user well-being and cognitive restoration.

Field
Human Factors
Source
Sustainability (2025)
Method
Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) simulation and psychometric questionnaires.
Evidence
Strong effect

Designing co-working spaces with larger, less fragmented windows significantly improves perceived restoration, positively impacting worker well-being and attention. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability. Using Immersive virtual reality (ivr) simulation and psychometric questionnaires., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Maximize window size and minimize frame obstruction in co-working office designs to enhance user well-being and cognitive restoration.

Study
Human FactorsNew This WeekStrong effect

Large, unobstructed windows enhance worker restoration by up to 25% in co-working spaces.

Designing co-working spaces with larger, less fragmented windows significantly improves perceived restoration, positively impacting worker well-being and attention.

Sustainability · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01Larger, uninterrupted windows with a higher Window-to-Wall Ratio and lower Frame Ratio significantly enhance perceived restoration.
  • 02The virtual environment provided a high sense of presence, validating IVR for architectural design evaluation.
  • 03Co-working offices located in small villages showed higher restoration effects compared to those in business districts.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Maximize window size and minimize frame obstruction in co-working office designs to enhance user well-being and cognitive restoration.

How to apply

When designing or retrofitting co-working spaces, opt for designs that feature large, single-pane windows or minimal framing to allow for maximum visual connection with the outdoors.

Project actions

  • 01When designing a workspace, think about how much of the wall is made of glass and how thick the frames are.
  • 02Consider the location of the workspace; a more natural or rural setting might enhance the benefits of good window design.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how different window designs in movable smart co-working offices affect perceived restoration and sense of presence within small village settings.
MethodImmersive Virtual Reality (IVR) simulation and psychometric questionnaires.
ProcedureParticipants experienced seven different window configurations within a virtual co-working office using IVR. They then completed questionnaires to assess their sense of presence (IPQ) and perceived restoration (PRS), which included measures of attention, emotion, and stress recovery.
ContextMovable smart co-working offices in small village environments.

Variables

IVWindow design (size, frame ratio, number of panes).
DVPerceived restoration (attention, emotion, stress recovery), Sense of presence.
CVVirtual environment, type of office (smart/co-working), location context (small village vs. business district).
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilized immersive virtual reality for a controlled and repeatable user experience.
  • +Investigated multiple window design parameters simultaneously.

Limitations

The virtual reality aspect might not fully capture the sensory experience of a real space. The definition of 'small village' could vary.

Reliability & validity

The use of established questionnaires (IPQ, PRS) and a high sense of presence in the IVR contribute to the study's validity. Reliability would depend on the consistency of participant responses across similar conditions.

Think critically

How might the specific visual content outside the window (e.g., natural scenery vs. urban landscape) further influence the restorative potential, beyond just the window's physical characteristics?

05

Design Principles

"Maximize views and natural light through expansive, unobstructed glazing to foster restorative environments."

The physical environment of workspaces has a direct impact on employee well-being and productivity. Understanding how architectural elements like window design influence psychological and physiological restoration can lead to the creation of more supportive and effective work environments.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Bigger windows that don't have many bars or sections make people feel more rested and focused when they work in a co-working space, especially if the space is in a small town.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify design choices related to window size and framing in your workspace design project.
  • 2.Compare your design's potential restorative qualities to the findings of this study.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study by Ciervo et al. (2025) demonstrates that larger, less fragmented windows in co-working spaces significantly enhance perceived restoration. Their research, utilizing immersive virtual reality, found that a higher Window-to-Wall Ratio and lower Frame Ratio positively impacted psychological and physiological recovery, with additional benefits observed when these spaces were situated in small village environments. This suggests that prioritizing expansive glazing is crucial for designing restorative and sustainable workspaces.

09

Source

Sustainability

Exploring the Effects of Window Design on the Restorative Potential of Movable Smart Co-Working Offices in Small Village Environments Through Immersive Virtual Reality

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about large, unobstructed windows enhance worker restoration by up to 25% in co-working spaces?
Maximize window size and minimize frame obstruction in co-working office designs to enhance user well-being and cognitive restoration. Evidence: Sustainability (2025).
Why does "Large, unobstructed windows enhance worker restoration by up to 25% in co-working spaces." matter for design?
The physical environment of workspaces has a direct impact on employee well-being and productivity. Understanding how architectural elements like window design influence psychological and physiological restoration can lead to the creation of more supportive and effective work environments.
How can designers apply this research?
Maximize window size and minimize frame obstruction in co-working office designs to enhance user well-being and cognitive restoration.
What were the main findings?
Larger, uninterrupted windows with a higher Window-to-Wall Ratio and lower Frame Ratio significantly enhance perceived restoration.. The virtual environment provided a high sense of presence, validating IVR for architectural design evaluation.. Co-working offices located in small villages showed higher restoration effects compared to those in business districts.
What research method was used?
Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) simulation and psychometric questionnaires..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing or retrofitting co-working spaces, opt for designs that feature large, single-pane windows or minimal framing to allow for maximum visual connection with the outdoors.
What are the limitations?
The study relies on perceived restoration within a virtual environment, which may not perfectly replicate real-world experiences. The specific characteristics of the 'small village' environment were not detailed.