Ian Clarke, commercial technical manager at Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, discusses the market drivers and impact of building design and construction on occupant health, wellbeing and productivity

The economics of the built environment have become as complex as building design. While they provide shelter, act as communication and data terminals, and are centres of healing, education, justice and community, buildings are expensive to construct and difficult to maintain effectively over their life cycle. Yet the business case for getting it wrong, in terms of a building negatively impacting the health of the people who work in it, is obvious.

Some 90 per cent of a typical business’ running costs are its staff, so it makes sense to look after the health and wellbeing of employees. A study by the World Green Building Council into health, wellbeing and productivity in offices shows that poor mental health costs UK employers £30 billion a year through lost production, recruitment and absence. On average, presenteeism (not fully functioning at work because of medical conditions) costs UK businesses £605 per person each year. Absenteeism and presenteeism together cost the UK economy £73 billion per year.

A 2014 study by the BCO (British Council of Offices), ‘Making the Business Case for Wellbeing’, identified nine workplace bugbears from office workers. They comprise acoustics, lighting, sedentary working, décor, air quality, temperature, social areas, privacy and cleanliness. The main irritants were identified as too much noise in open-plan areas, lack of natural light, fresh air and colour, awkward design, no control over temperature, lack of relaxation or meditation areas, too many people walking past, and clutter.

The components that make good indoor environments are daylighting, acoustic control, air quality, thermal comfort and lighting. Poor indoor environments can result in eye strain, headaches, poor concentration, lower productivity, breathing disorders, fatigue and discomfort. Key research into indoor air quality conducted in 2003, identified 15 studies linking improved ventilation – through increased external air rates, dedicated delivery of fresh air to the workstation, and reduced levels of pollutants – with up to 11 per cent gains in productivity.

Similarly, in a 2011 laboratory test, a range of office tasks were carried out with the presence of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Increasing ventilation from 5l/s to 20l/s improved performance by up to 8 per cent. High CO2 levels, which can also occur as a result of poor ventilation, have been found to impact tiredness and decision-making. Generous floor-to-ceiling heights not only increase the sensation of space, but also help to improve air quality. Good ventilation also reduces CO2 build-up. Appropriate ceiling materials include low-VOC tiles.

In terms of thermal comfort, a 2006 analysis of 24 studies on the relationship between temperature and performance indicated a 10 per cent reduction in performance at both 30˚C and 15˚C, compared with between 21˚C and 23˚C, leaving little doubt as to the impact this factor has on office occupants.

The BCO study rated acoustics as one, if not the major bugbear for office workers. A study by Office Wars 2015 Orangebox found that when noise is over 85 dB all work suffers. But acoustic treatment is not just about sound absorption. Every space has specific acoustic needs, which is why Armstrong Ceilings provides three different options:

1. The OP range for high-absorption and improved concentration reduces noise disturbance and controls excessive sound reflections, making it ideal for open-plan spaces and libraries.

2. The dB range for high attenuation and confidentiality keeps conversations private and reduces noise transfer between rooms. It is ideal for private rooms or cellular offices.

3. The standard range provides a balance between absorption and attenuation, supporting speech intelligibility, blocking unwanted noise from outside, and enhancing sound quality inside. It is ideal for classrooms and conference rooms.

With regards to visual comfort, a 2011 study investigated the relationship between view quality, daylighting and employee sick leave in the administration offices of a university campus. Taken together, the two variables explained 6.5 per cent of the variation in sick leave.

High light reflectance ceilings contribute to daylight harvesting and can increase the amount and uniformity of light reflected into the building. For example, when the light reflectance of a ceiling is increased from 0.75 to 0.89, daylight levels for spaces four to six metres away from the window are increased by 15-20 per cent. The amount of glazing can also be reduced by 11 per cent to further minimise heating and cooling costs.

We need to make the case for user-centred design, where individual team members consider the project holistically and how people will interact with it. The integrated approach is designed by the whole team at the same time so all options can be considered and improved upon.

Contact Details
For more information please visit the Armstrong Ceiling Solutions website