Oasis

Designers

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Oasis

Redesigning the in-person office space into a destination, not an obligation.

Designers

Anabela Pablo

Key Words

SUMMARY

I initiated my research by looking at the most common mistakes in office design today, and how they negatively impact employee mental health, wellbeing, and productivity. This led me to explore the following question: How Might We better understand the ways environments impact our mental and physical health, in order to redesign a more inviting and productive “in Person” office space? I realized the most important key factors for motivating employees in the in-person office environment are social interactions, privacy, the presence of nature, and ergonomic design.

challenge

Through my research it was evident that most companies today fail to understand the needs of their employees in terms of prioritizing their well being and mental health through the spaces they are expected to work in. This is the primary reason as to why most people today prefer to work from home. I discovered this plays a big role in the vast percentage of empty office spaces around the US after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has proven to be detrimental to different systems in the country. So my goal became to find a way to bring people back into the in-person office space. As I dove deeper into this fact, I stumbled upon Biophilic Design and its countless benefits on the human mind and performance.

Outcome

In hopes of enhancing the in-person office experience, I created Oasis, a furniture brand merging biophilic design with furniture. It took the form of an office lounge chair and mobile app that fosters a deeper connection to nature from inside the office through indoor planting and social interactions. I created a physical model as well as 3D renderings in order to test out my idea. User feedback indicated a deep satisfaction with the outdoor ambiance, making the office more welcoming and less intimidating. It was concluded that the presence of plants ultimately enhances our well being, cognitive performance, and overall experience in a work environment.