Week 3

Research findings and insights - Analyse and critique a design of your choice using primary sources via an in-person user test and/or interview

Does our Workplace Work? 

I will be analysing and critiquing an existing office environment to evaluate its effectiveness in supporting employee motivation, productivity and overall satisfaction. The research focuses on identifying which interior design elements are most influential in shaping these experiences, and opportunities for collaboration.

To gather both quantitative and qualitative data, 25 participants completed a questionnaire about their current workspace, while one-on-one interviews provided further insight into their personal experiences and perceptions of the office environment. Combining these methods allows me to identify common patterns while also understanding individual experiences in greater depth. The findings will be used to assess whether the current workplace effectively supports the needs and wellbeing of its employees and to identify opportunities for improvement in its interior design.

Questionnaire 

Who

  1. What do you primarily do for work?
  2. How many times per week do you work in the office?
  3. Do you primarily work in:
    1. Private office
    2. Open-plan office
    3. Hot desks
    4. Cubicle

Office Environment

Rate the following from 1-5, 5 being excellent

Lighting

  1. My office has enough natural light
  2. The lighting in my workspace helps me concentrate
  3. The lighting in the office is pleasant

Comfort

  1. I find the temperature of my workspace comfortable
  2. The office has good air quality and ventilation
  3. I have enough personal space to work comfortably
  4. The layout and furniture are comfortable and supportive

Motivation

  1. I feel motivated when working in my current office environment
  2. The design of my workspace positively affects my mood.
  3. I find the office provides spaces for collaboration and social interaction
  4. I feel energised when I work in my office space

Overall

  1.  What is the best thing about the design of your current workspace?
  2. What is the biggest problem with your current workspace?
  3. If you could change one thing about your office space, what would it be?
  4. Is there anything about your workplace that affects your mood?
  5. Describe your ideal workplace environment.
  6. Overall satisfaction for your current workplace (1-5)

Questionnaire Results

Participant
Profile

Total participants 25

Work in office 5 days/week 14 (56%)

Work in office 4 days/week 7 (28%)

Work in office 3 days/week 4 (16%)

Open-plan office 12 (48%)

Private office 5 (20%)

Hot desks 5 (20%)

Cubicle 3 (12%)

 

Average
Ratings

1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent

Enough natural light 3.76 / 5

5. Lighting helps concentration 3.64 / 5

6. Lighting is pleasant 3.68 / 5

7. Comfortable temperature 3.68 / 5

8. Air quality/ventilation 3.68 / 5

9. Enough personal space 3 .56 / 5

10. Comfortable layout/furniture 3.64 / 5

11. Feel motivated 3.80 / 5

12. Workspace positively affects mood 3.92 / 5

13. Spaces for collaboration 3.80 / 5

14. Feel energised 3.56 / 5

Overall satisfaction 3.64 / 5

 

Summary of
Results

The results suggest that participants were moderately satisfied with their office environments, with an overall satisfaction score of 3.64/5. The strongest result was the statement that the design of the workspace positively affects mood (3.92/5), suggesting a perceived connection between interior design and emotional wellbeing.

Natural lighting was also rated relatively positive, with an average of 3.76/5, while lighting's ability to support concentration scored 3.64/5. This suggests that although most participants consider lighting adequate, there is still room for improvement.

The lowest scores related to personal space (3.56/5) and feeling energised (3.56/5). This could indicate that office density, privacy and opportunities to change environments may influence employee wellbeing.

Qualitative Response Themes

From the responses to Questions 15–19, the most common themes could be summarised as:

  • Best feature: Natural light, windows, comfortable furniture and open spaces.

  • Biggest problem: Noise, lack of privacy, cramped desks and limited breakout areas.

  • One desired change: More natural light and dedicated quiet/breakout spaces.

  • Mood influences: Lighting, noise, temperature, clutter and office atmosphere.

  • Ideal workplace: Bright, spacious, comfortable, quiet when needed, with plants, natural materials and separate areas for focused work and collaboration.

Interview Summaries

Jacob – Draftsperson, 6 Months 

Jacob has worked as a draftsperson in a residential construction office for six months. His role requires long periods of computer work, producing and reviewing technical drawings. He described his mood at work as generally positive but noted that concentration can be affected by noise, distractions and the overall atmosphere of the office.

Jacob particularly values natural light, explaining that working near a windows makes the space feel more open and comfortable. He also identified noise as a distraction when completing detailed drawings as he sits in an open office. 

Improvement
For Jacob, ergonomic support remains the single biggest driver of daily comfort and focus. Spending extended hours locked into a traditional desk setup without the option of a standing desk has left him feeling physically cramped and sore by the afternoon. "Without the freedom to adjust my posture or stand up throughout the day, the physical strain impacts how much I can actually get done," he noted. For his workspace to truly support productivity, upgrading to high-performance ergonomic seating and adaptable desks is an urgent priority.

Jasmine – Estimator, 1 Year Experience

Jasmine has worked as an estimator in a residential construction office for one year. Her role involves calculating costs, reviewing project information and preparing estimates, requiring concentration and accuracy. She described her mood as generally calm when her workspace is organised, but busy periods and deadlines can increase her stress.

Jasmine prefers an office that feels professional, organised and comfortable. She identified natural light, comfortable furniture and a clean workspace as features that help her feel focused and motivated. She also values having spaces where she can take short breaks away from her desk, allowing her to reset before returning to work.

Improvement
For Jasmine, visual and noise boundaries are essential for managing long task responsibilities. Operating in an open plan layout leaves her constantly vulnerable to drop in interruptions that stop her concentration during complex, long-form tasks. "When anyone can just walk right up to my desk without a visual barrier, it completely breaks my workflow," she explained. Incorporating cubicle-style partitions or high-backed privacy screens would offer the psychological enclosure she needs to sustain high-level focus.

Nick – Technical Assessment Officer, 2 Years 

Nick has worked as a Technical Assessment Officer in residential construction for two years. His role involves reviewing technical information and documentation, requiring focus and attention to detail. He described his mood as generally productive when the office is organised and quiet, but noted that excessive noise and interruptions can cause frustration and make concentration difficult.

Nick values a comfortable and functional workspace, particularly adequate desk space, suitable seating and good lighting. He also appreciates having areas away from his workstation where he can take short breaks.

Improvements
For Nick, lighting quality directly influences his energy levels and overall workplace morale. Positioned far from any exterior windows, he spends his workday sandwiched between harsh overhead fluorescents and the glare of his computer monitors. "The artificial brightness is just unpleasant to sit under all day, and it drains my motivation," he shared. Bringing natural daylight deeper into the floorplan or introducing softer, dimmable task lighting would significantly improve user satisfaction in his zone.

Conclusion

Overall, the interviews indicate that while employees maintain a generally positive baseline mood, the current office layout fails to properly support motivation, productivity, or long term satisfaction. The open plan configuration creates persistent noise and visual friction, where frequent interruptions and noise consistently break the concentration needed for detailed, high focus tasks. Additionally, environmental factors like harsh artificial lighting and a lack of natural daylight actively drain worker motivation and energy over the course of the day. Coupled with static workstations that lead to physical strain and discomfort during long sitting periods, the physical space creates a barrier to optimal performance. While staff value an organised space and access to break areas, addressing these design shortcomings (privacy boundaries, ergonomic flexibility, and improved lighting) is essential to creating a truly supportive and high functioning workplace.

Our journey continues

We invite you to explore the work from our previous weeks to see the full scope of our progress. Each week builds upon the last, contributing to the broader narrative of Marys-Design-Portfolio. We hope you enjoy seeing our journey unfold.