Mejora cuantitativa de las prestaciones de los espacios de trabajo : empleo de vegetación, luz natural y madera = The quantitative improvements of the capabilities of workplaces : the use of greenery, daylight and wood

Abstract

Numerous studies endorsed by the scientific community state that workplace design can contribute to an improvement in the productivity and well-being of the users. However, it is necessary to go a step further and objectify the criteria that increase productivity and well-being in the practice of architectural design. The main contribution of this Thesis is the development of a tool that responds to the challenges of how to measure the increase in productivity and well-being through architectural design. The proposed tool allows us to measure the characteristics that can improve productivity and well-being, based on a scientific method, and through a holistic approach of the physiological, psychological, emotional and cultural factors that impact on productivity and well-being of the users. The tool is ascertained through the implementation of three pilot experiments.To verify a tool that quantifies the impact of design features on the increase of productivity and well-being, three previously programmed pilot experiments were carried out, such as a small-scale version conducted in preparation for a major study. These Scenarios studies evaluated the impact of tangible and intangible variables on the workplace, thus allowing for the in-depth analysis of workplace design knowledge.Simultaneously, the role of biophilic design in indoor environments -defined as spaces within buildings featuring natural elements -has received relatively little attention, compared to the number of studies evaluating the impact of other indoor environment characteristics of the buildings related with electrical and mechanical systems, thermal factors, noise and vibrations, ergonomics and office fit-outs. The present study is one of the first studies to evaluate and measure the combination of variables concerning biophilic design proposals. The results highlight an improvement in well-being, productivity, creativity and health by introducing biophilic characteristics into workplace design. The tool developed and tested in these pilot experiments opens up a path to increase productivity in the workplace in contrast to existing practices.