2024/12/09
For many years, it has been assumed that work environments should be sterile - so that nothing distracts people and reduces their productivity. But in recent years, more and more research has shown that the opposite is true - artwork, leisure spaces and the most comfortable environment possible improve employees' well-being and productivity.
Dr. Craig Knight, Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter in the UK, a business consultant and psychologist who has spent more than 20 years researching the impact of the working environment on people's mood, well-being and productivity, believes that a balance between functional and artistic spaces has a positive impact on performance. He says that finding the perfect balance between these different spaces can improve employee productivity by 31%, sense of duty and commitment to the organisation by 45%, and well-being and mental health by 60%.
The professor recalls that for more than a hundred years, the basic principle of the working environment has been a minimalist space that does not interfere with the worker's concentration or distract their attention with elements that are unnecessary for work. These attitudes only started to change as the 21st century dawned, and especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when businesses needed to get their employees back into the office.
Google and other Silicon Valley technology companies were pioneers in transforming the perception of the working environment. They have revolutionised the perception of the working environment by boldly introducing vibrant office design that focuses on leisure, relaxation and the arts. As the positive impact of a more relaxed environment on employees was noticed, this tradition quickly spread to other businesses and countries.
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on art and informal, relaxed working environments in Lithuania. Businesses are not only becoming bolder in decorating their spaces with individual works of art, but are also consulting with artists to pre-design conceptual environments that enhance the well-being of their employees and are adorned with valuable works of art.
Light wells in the “Hero” business centre
Expressive design and aesthetic solutions will also be present in the new business centre "Hero", which will open its doors in autumn next year. One of these solutions is the natural light atriums, known by architects as light wells, which provide the premises with natural daylight and form a small enclosed courtyard inside the building. In this atypical space, renowned artist Vladas Suncovas creates art installations tailored specifically for “Hero”.
A 2013 graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of visual arts, the artist creates scenography, exhibition design, small architecture and installations, and transforms public spaces. To create the artistic installations “šviesduobėse”, V. Suncovas will use polished, almost mirror-like stainless steel, which will transmit natural light to the people who will be working around the light wells in different forms of reflection.
"The ideas that will be implemented in the “Hero” business centre are about the relationship between nature, man and architecture. I was thinking about how to communicate to the people who will work here every day what is happening outside - how this architectural situation could open up new points of view on the environment. The main source of inspiration was the interaction of natural and human phenomena with architecture - for example, how the wind-driven leaves of the trees adapt to the urban elements of the city, or how the 'face' of the city changes with the ups and downs of the economy," the artist says.
V. Suncovas emphasises that the light wells will also have a practical function - they will distribute the natural daylight entering the interior through the atrium, subtly enliven the surrounding spaces, while playful light reflections will add a sense of cosiness and visually connect the outside with the interior of the business centre.
"The installations will conceptually connect with “Hero” vision of a healthy, green and environmentally friendly working environment. "The light wells will be an expression and symbol of the harmonious relationship between nature and the newly created architectural environment," says Suncovas.
Gintarė Žemaitė, Head of Commercial Property Development at “Realco,” says she looks forward to seeing this idea come to fruition. She adds that the artist's original installations will not only bring a unique and distinctive touch to the “Hero” Business Centre but will also positively impact the well-being of its occupants, inspiring interest in art, appreciation of subtle aesthetics, and moments of relaxation amidst the artwork.
"In the new business centre, we are trying to create a modern and trend-setting working environment, where it would be pleasant and healthy to work, and which would inspire, involve and stimulate new, creative ideas of the people who will settle here," says G. Žemaitė, sharing her vision.
The expert comments that art in workspaces used to be understood as basically just hanging paintings on the walls. Today, however, art is boldly integrated into office spaces, and the forms of expression are becoming more diverse and original.
"We have long wanted a suitable accent for the light atriums designed in the “Hero” spaces. We never doubted that the atrium's naturally formed light wells, which will be constantly under the eyes of the people who will work there, are an architectural highlight. Therefore, we wanted unique accents to enhance them. We were interested in different ideas, had our own vision and practical requirements and were delighted when we received proposals from several talented artists. Suncovas' proposal was the closest and most interesting for both us and the architects of the building," says Žemaitė.
In addition to plenty of natural light, the “Hero” centre will also offer clean indoor air, extensive green spaces, smart solutions and other environmentally friendly amenities. “Hero” healthy working environment and sustainable building lifecycle have been developed according to the world-class “Well” and “Breeam Excellent” standards.