Study
Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Green Office Design Can Enhance Energy Efficiency Without Harming Employee Well-being

Implementing energy-efficient strategies in office environments does not inherently compromise employee well-being or performance, and can even offer synergistic benefits.

Frontiers in Psychology · 2019

01

Key Findings

  • 01It is possible to decouple energy costs from organizational outcomes like employee well-being and performance.
  • 02Moderators and mediators exist in the relationship between green office building solutions and employee well-being/performance.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate energy-efficient features into office designs with a focus on user-centric elements that support well-being and performance.

How to apply

When designing or retrofitting office spaces, select energy-efficient technologies and materials that have been shown to positively or neutrally affect occupant comfort, air quality, and lighting.

Project actions

  • 01When researching sustainable design solutions, always investigate their impact on the end-user.
  • 02Look for case studies where energy efficiency and user satisfaction are both reported.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo systematically review empirical evidence on the relationship between energy-efficient office building solutions and employee well-being and performance.
MethodSystematic Review
ProcedureA systematic review was conducted by searching for empirical studies that investigated the impact of green office building solutions on employee well-being and performance. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant studies for analysis.
ContextOffice environments and building design

Variables

IVGreen office building solutions (e.g., energy-efficient technologies, sustainable materials, improved lighting/HVAC systems).
DVEmployee well-being (e.g., satisfaction, comfort, stress levels) and performance (e.g., productivity, cognitive function).
CVOffice size, type of work performed, organizational culture, existing building infrastructure.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Comprehensive synthesis of existing empirical research.
  • +Identifies complex relationships (moderators/mediators) rather than simple correlations.

Limitations

The specific 'green' features and their implementation can vary greatly, meaning results might not be universally applicable without considering the details of the design.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings is enhanced by the systematic review methodology, which synthesizes multiple studies. Validity is supported by the focus on empirical research, but may be limited by the heterogeneity of 'green' solutions and outcome measures across studies.

Think critically

How can designers proactively identify and implement 'green' features that are most likely to enhance, rather than detract from, employee well-being and performance?

05

Design Principles

"Sustainable design should holistically consider environmental performance and human factors concurrently."

This insight is crucial for designers and facility managers aiming to create sustainable workspaces. It challenges the assumption that environmental performance must come at the cost of human experience, opening avenues for integrated design solutions.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making offices use less energy doesn't have to make people feel bad or work worse; in fact, it can be done in ways that help people feel good and work well.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this to justify design choices that balance energy efficiency with user comfort and productivity.
  • 2.Cite this to support the idea that sustainable design can be human-centered.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2019). Decoupling Office Energy Efficiency From Employees' Well-Being and Performance: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00293 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/c934457f-e8c4-4fef-a580-e206a0490aa4/green-office-design-can-enhance-energy-efficiency-without-harming-employee-well-being

Paragraph starter

This systematic review highlights that energy-efficient office designs can be implemented without detriment to employee well-being and performance. It suggests that the successful integration of green building solutions depends on understanding and managing various mediating and moderating factors, emphasizing the importance of a human-centered approach to sustainable design.

09

Source

Frontiers in Psychology

Decoupling Office Energy Efficiency From Employees' Well-Being and Performance: A Systematic Review

journal · 2019

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about green office design can enhance energy efficiency without harming employee well-being?
Integrate energy-efficient features into office designs with a focus on user-centric elements that support well-being and performance. Evidence: Frontiers in Psychology (2019).
Why does "Green Office Design Can Enhance Energy Efficiency Without Harming Employee Well-being" matter for design?
This insight is crucial for designers and facility managers aiming to create sustainable workspaces. It challenges the assumption that environmental performance must come at the cost of human experience, opening avenues for integrated design solutions.
How can designers apply this research?
Integrate energy-efficient features into office designs with a focus on user-centric elements that support well-being and performance.
What were the main findings?
It is possible to decouple energy costs from organizational outcomes like employee well-being and performance.. Moderators and mediators exist in the relationship between green office building solutions and employee well-being/performance.
What research method was used?
Systematic Review.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Frontiers in Psychology.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing or retrofitting office spaces, select energy-efficient technologies and materials that have been shown to positively or neutrally affect occupant comfort, air quality, and lighting.
What are the limitations?
The review identifies moderators and mediators, suggesting that the impact is not uniform and depends on specific implementation details and contextual factors.
Is there evidence that energy efficiency affects design outcomes?
The research indicates that adopting energy-saving measures in offices can be achieved without negatively impacting how employees feel or perform, and that specific factors can influence these outcomes. This insight is crucial for designers and facility managers aiming to create sustainable workspaces. It challenges th Source: Frontiers in Psychology (2019).
Where does this well-being performance research apply?
Office environments and building design It sits within human factors research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

energy efficiency design research · evidence on energy efficiency · does energy efficiency improve design outcomes · well-being performance studies for designers · energy efficiency and well-being performance findings · human factors research evidence