By improving the physical environment in which people work, facilities produce a positive Return on People (ROP.
User EffectiveTM Buildings, presents a wide range of information on this important topic. Aspects of the office environment that influence the performance of occupants include indoor air quality, access to daylight, quality of lighting, noise, temperature, open office plans, access to shared equipment, and other elements that are tied to the age, efficiency, and quality of design and materials.
Aardex, a developer of office buildings, has discovered that after moving into its new buildings, tenants report improvements in productivity due to the more efficient use of space, improved quality of work environment, and elimination of barriers to effective work activity. In some cases, productivity has increased by as much as 30 percent.
User EffectiveTM Buildings is based on decades of research and studies from major academic institutions, trade organizations, and professional groups. The findings include the latest evidence of the harm posed by "sick buildings" -- structures with dangerous levels of mold, gases, or other contaminants -- the illumination threat from overhead lighting systems inadequate for modern computer-based work activity, noise distractions increasing from densely populated open office space, and the barriers to growth found in existing office systems lacking the flexibility to adapt to contemporary work styles and technology. Inefficient and unhealthy buildings directly impact daily worker performance, absenteeism and employee turnover, major influences on productivity. But these issues can be addressed with appropriate building design and generate tangible paybacks as a result.
User EffectiveTM Buildings also includes a pertinent perspective on the very nature of office buildings themselves. When were they first developed? How did desks evolve to meet the needs of document-dependent organizations? Who invented the cubicle, and why?
In the highly-competitive global market of the present, organizations are increasingly scrutinizing their staffs, work processes, and strategies. Often overlooked is the role of the office structure itself. Although building leases represent roughly 2% of a business’s total operating cost, they have the potential to greatly improve productivity, with an appropriate positive boost to net profits.