We have options to control the indoor environment to help make them safe, productive and comfortable. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) refers to the conditions inside a building which usually include indoor air quality, lighting conditions, thermal comfort, acoustic comfort. In choosing material finishes their impact on air quality, acoustics, ergonomics, light and colour choices are all intrinsically linked.

IEQ embraces factors impacting our health and wellbeing. In today’s commercial interiors the need to make these measurable impacts was highlighted in a panel discussion we ran with Women in Office Design on Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace. Guest Panellist Martin Anderson, Director, Well Workplace Ltd, commented on the need for being evidence based in order to demonstrate outcomes to clients who are often analytical.

How designers and specifiers achieve this rests on ensuring that material finishes are fit for purpose, with independently verified testing and performance data to support IEQ. Alongside this sits more qualitative work with user/employee involvement pre- and post-design interventions around how spaces perform.

Futureproofing the workspace and designing for occupant comfort also requires a deeper exploration into how a space can become universally accessible and comfortable for all employees. And futureproofing also means designing in flexibility too.

It also means consideration of creating spaces that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. We will explore that theme in another blog here , equity and inclusion in today’s commercial interiors.

Employee wellbeing and comfort was a key consideration for the Shell offices in Dubai, take a look at this project story.