Here’s something we all know intuitively. Badly designed office space has a negative effect on worker statisfaction.

A report produced by CABE in partnership with the British Council of Offices and the British Property Federation discusses some best practices in ‘office design’. According to the authors there are six basic principles for designing an office where we all would like to work:

1. Ease of movement and legibility: workplaces that are easily accessible by public transport, reducing reliance on the car.

2. Character, quality and continuity: workplaces that have a strong sense of place and fitting into the locality.

3. Diversity: workplaces that contribute to a mix of uses on site, such as commercial and leisure as well as office.

4. Sustainability: minimising energy use through design during construction and in occupation, and providing a healthy working environment.

5. Adaptability: able to accommodate changing requirements, eg a switch from office use to residential and back again.

6. Management: good on-going maintenance and management, including all the public space and landscaping.

Just lacking is the silent room for taking an afternoon nap. You’ll find the report by clicking here.