Designing affective workplace environments: The impact of typology, contour, ceiling and partition height on cognitive and aesthetic appraisal

Abstract

Up to 90 % of our time is spent indoors, with 40 % of a full-time employee's waking hours spent at work, underscoring the critical importance of workplace environments in promoting health and well-being. While there is substantial knowledge about the impact of spatial design on environmental satisfaction and productivity, there is a gap in understanding its effect on employees' aesthetic and cognitive experiences. This study addresses these gaps by investigating how variations in typical workplace design elements—such as partition height, ceiling height, and contour shape—across three workplace typologies (Open plan, Cellular, and Bürolandschaft) influence both aesthetic (beauty, attention, pleasure) and cognitive (safety, distraction, interaction) appraisals. Thirty-six virtual models of workplace environments were generated using parametric modeling methods, and a total of 713 participants provided ratings and rankings for these dimensions. Our findings indicate that higher partitions are associated with greater perceived safety and reduced distractions, while curved contours are perceived as more aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable compared to angular designs. The Bürolandschaft typology significantly enhances perceived safety and interaction. Moreover, isovist analysis revealed that spatial features such as isovist compactness and circularity positively correlate with beauty, pleasure, and attention, while higher dispersion is linked to lower safety perceptions. These insights are crucial for designing affective workplace environments that balance openness and privacy, enhance safety, and support a science-informed approach to workplace design that promotes positive cognitive and aesthetic experiences.