whitepaper Harnessing the power of colour intelligence to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace Create better workplaces

whitepaper Harnessing the power of colour intelligence to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace Create better workplaces

WORKPLACE It s no secret that different colours evoke different emotions. Tarkett and Desso have been studying the psychology of colour and its ability to directly impact on our emotions, behavior and wellbeing in various environments from healthcare and education, to the workplace. Here Béatrice Mange, Creative and Trends Director at Tarkett, looks specifically at the workplace - making a compelling argument for looking beyond colour as simply a decorative contribution. As office design continues to evolve, with the development of modern workplace trends and new directions in design, it s easy to lose sight of essentials, such as the power of colour. Studies show that colour can directly impact on physical human reactions such as our heartbeat, respiration, digestion, body temperature and brain activity 1. By harnessing the power of this colour intelligence, we can control it in order to create high quality smart interior spaces. Tarkett and Desso believe that this is especially key with flooring a fundamental part of any design scheme and the base for all movement. The radiance of flooring should be inviting, inspire optimism and give us a sense of confidence and security particularly in a busy and stressful workplace environment. Bringing together a range of professional studies and interviews with experts, our design team has developed four basic groups of colours compositions, as a guideline for creating a range of atmospheres for the workplace: Basic & Natural, Fresh & Optimistic, Cool & Calming, Warm & Inviting SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2 WHITEPAPER 3

HOW DO TARKETT AND DESSO CHARACTERIZE THE FOUR EMOTIONS OF COLOUR? Basic & Natural is a combination of materials and colours that link closely with the Earth and other natural materials, creating a feeling of intimacy, peace and security. Scientific studies show that grey tints and shades linked to the earth reassure humans and make us feel protected. This palette of colours, made up of warm grey tones, cool beige shades and light brown hues, minimizes stress and reduces anxiety. Fresh & Optimistic is a wider group of materials and colours, which generates invigorating feelings of revival, energy and pleasure in life. Health, stability, peace and tranquility are also important perceptions from this range of colours. This group primarily consists of warm, mellow, bright and intensely optimistic yellow tones, as well as numerous shades of green. Projects throughout the world have proven that these colours have a positive influence on concentration. Cool & Calming is a combination of materials and colours that are synonymous with tranquillity, peace and freshness. They have a purifying, soothing effect that reduces blood pressure and develops confidence, while minimising stress and reducing anxiety and inhibitions. This group includes cool blue tones and bright purples, which lighten emotions and encourage the process of increasing awareness. These refreshing and purifying colours open up the mind through their link with light and the openness of space and the sky, helping to create a peaceful atmosphere. Warm & Inviting is a collection of materials and colours that create a feeling of strength, warmth and dynamism. The psychological impact of these colours encourages self-assurance and self-confidence, reduces depression and melancholy and has a positive effect on passiveness and apathy. This group consists of orange tones and energising red hues to stimulate creativity. WHITEPAPER 4 WHITEPAPER 5

HOW DO THESE EMOTIONS OF COLOUR RELATE TO THE WORKPLACE? The way we work has changed significantly in the last 50 years. Today, the workplace is no longer just confined to the office; instead it has evolved to a more flexible structure, to mirror our changing habits. Different spaces with different colour palettes can have a positive impact on productivity levels and help to maintain energy levels, enabling us to keep focused, engaged and relaxed. By creating an office setting with a wide colour variety, workers can move around and find the right colour and space to reflect their physical or psychological state. The book, The Best Place to Work 2, shares insights on how distractions in the office design are counterproductive to peoples productivity in the workplace. When our office is riddled with distractions, we end up consuming the very mental resources we need to think clearly. Intuitive design provides a simple solution, allowing people to conserve energy for more important matters in their day. How can we bring new workplace trends to life, in line with the four colours of emotion identified by Tarkett and Desso, to improve people s health and wellbeing in the workplace? concentration ideal for freelancers and remote workers with tight deadlines. 2. Stimulate creativity with warm an inviting colours, designs and modular spaces First impressions are everything, so the office entrance is a key factor to consider. Design and colours are critical. Warm and inviting tones can help to create a feeling of power, strength and resilience. Studies suggest the colour orange, for example, brings a high degree of positivism, always rejuvenating us in the most difficult moments 5. The psychological impact of these colours encourages movement and dynamism. A warm palette helps to stimulate activity and inspire creativity. Architects and designers are not completely reinventing the office layout; instead they are increasingly turning to modular design to create more flexibility. In a shift towards the disappearance of the open-plan office, moveable furniture provides the option of transforming spaces quickly to adapt to changing moods. Multi-use spaces can allow employees to switch between quiet, active working and collaborating with peers. 1. 1. Fresh and optimistic tones to accommodate the rise of the nomads Thanks to advances in technology, workers are now able to work remotely without the restrictions of an office. In 2016, FlexJobs 3, a site for those seeking telecommuting, flexible or part-time jobs, estimated that telecommuting in the US has grown 103% over the last decade and projected that 50% of people will work remotely by 2020. In 2015, the site saw a 36% increase in remote jobs posted. A problem that is encountered by both nomadic workers and office staff is the ability to switch off digitally. While the increasing use of technology, such as the omnipresent smartphone is allowing workers to reach more people than ever, always being switched on brings a new issue: burn-out. In some countries employment laws have been introduced, such as Article 55 4 in France for example, to protect workers by forcing employers to restrict access to online tools. Employers are recognising this need for balance through the reinvented workspace enough open space for the feeling of freedom, but also the added element of face-to-face contact. To respond to this new trend of nomadic working, in terms of colour and design, the Fresh and Optimistic colour group identified by Tarkett and Desso provide the perfect solution. Warm, bright and intensely optimistic yellow and green tones help with focus and Helping to make further distinctions between zones, colours can play a key role here too. Particularly for larger spaces and open plan rooms, colours help to highlight and organise space. Where workspace is neutral in whites and greys, furniture like the dividing walls and work surfaces can be identified by their bright and lively hues in reds and yellows. The key is to create the perfect harmony between the floor, the walls and the furniture, while also including some contrasting features. 3. Cool and calming workplace designs to improve concentration, happiness and optimism at work The stereotypical office design, with its traditional meeting rooms and open-plan spaces, is starting to change. Instead, companies are increasingly looking to originality and innovation to create spaces where workers feel happy, motivated and confident. Not only does this create an enjoyable working environment, it improves the wellbeing of staff and subsequent performance levels. Gensler s 2016 UK Workplace Survey 6 found that workers were more likely to be innovative if they had access to a range of spaces supporting different working styles, including private, semi-private and open-plan environments. With the appointment of Chief Happiness Officers both in an official and unofficial capacity more emphasis is being placed on creating a culture and environment in which people want to spend more time whether it s having breakfast with colleagues, yoga sessions or a personal trainer on-hand. The right mix of colours can also help to support these efforts to increase the sense of happiness in the work environment. Yoga sessions, for example, can be more effective if carried out in a peaceful environment, featuring cool and calming colours. Evidence from a study carried out by TaskWorld 7 suggests that blue and green colours can help to improve productivity, as they stimulate concentration and instil a sense of calmness. This idea can also be applied to private offices and meeting rooms where focus is needed. In the modern workplace, breakout areas are also essential. People need to have a space to escape and wind down, without distractions. Here again, blue shades and wood shades can help define this transition and to help workers relax, as they bring about a feeling of tranquillity and rest. Interior design has to take a step back in order to create a space that favours sleep and rest. It s not about focusing attention, but rather providing a harmonious atmosphere where our minds relax. Darker grey or navy colours and materials can also help with this, particularly when used on ceilings and floors, as they do not reflect the light. 4. Organic, basic and natural colours to support a sustainable ethos at work For new office designs, the choice of products, systems and construction processes relate to the company s core values and commitment to high quality and to sustainability. Making consciously sustainable decisions about the building also shows staff that employers care about their wellbeing. The office entrance is like the company s shop window, presenting its values to the world, so the interior design can become a vehicle steering the way for the brand s image. The benefits of having greenery in the workplace are well known in particular for the effect that plants can have on the indoor air quality. To reinforce a company s ecological values, natural and organic colours, such as greens and browns, are punctuated with dynamic yellows to contribute to employee wellbeing and to make associations with nature and the environment. WHITEPAPER 6 WHITEPAPER 7

To conclude, colour has an important role to play in the workplace. By carefully considering and harnessing its potential, designers are able to create compelling design schemes to bring interiors to life. Carefully selected colour schemes can be used to create intuitive designs in the workplace, contributing to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the occupants. Simple navigation and zoning can help to reduce unnecessary distractions and provide a calm and reassuring atmosphere, encouraging concentration and collaboration, eliminating confusion and helping to define the purpose of a place. Tarkett and Desso s design centers - along with the colour experts - provide architects and designers with several of opportunities to explore creative possibilities creative possibilities in order to find the perfect tones, materials and colour schemes required to achieve the perfect workplace atmosphere. The result: a creative working environment where employees feel motivated and prepared for a productive working day. WHITEPAPER 8 WHITEPAPER 9

REFERENCES 1) Lennie Scott-Webber Principal of INSYNC: Education Research + Design and former founding Director of Education Environments for Steelcase Education. 2) The book, The Best Place to Work, Ron Friedman, 2014 3) http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2016/03/31/at-these-125-companies-all-or-most-employees-work-remotely/#67d0d5f94d94 4) https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichtextearticle.do;jsessionid=59de34a96a2c4fa860b6e073ce0a8921.tpdila19v_3?idarticle=jorfarti 000032984268&cidTexte=JORFTEXT000032983213&dateTexte=29990101&categorieLien=id 5) http://www.colorpsychology.org/orange/ 6) https://www.gensler.com/uploads/document/446/file/gensler_uk_wps_2016.pdf 7) www.taskworld.com https://assets.entrepreneur.com/static/1425920680-info.jpg?_ga=1.266399118.1069496445.1485961103 ABOUT TARKETT AND DESSO With net sales of more than 2.7 billion in 2016, Tarkett is a global leader in innovative solutions for flooring and sports surfaces. Offering a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, carpet, rubber, wood & laminate, synthetic turf and athletic tracks, the Group serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. With 12,500 employees and 34 industrial sites, Tarkett sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to sustainable development, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy and promotes circular economy. Tarkett is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A, ISIN: FR0004188670, ticker TKTT). www.tarkett.com Desso, part of the Tarkett Group, is a leading brand in sustainable and innovative carpet flooring, with strong positions in corporate offices, education, healthcare, government, homes, hotels, cruise liners and airlines. Desso s brand mission is to develop unique products that deliver a much improved indoor environment, helping to maximize people s health and wellbeing. This is driven by its innovation program based on the three pillars of Creativity, Functionality and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design which underpins the shift to the regenerative circular economy. WHITEPAPER 10 WHITEPAPER 11

Information Tarkett S.A. P.O. Box 169 5140 AD Waalwijk The Netherlands TEL. +31(0)416 684100 FAX +31(0)416 335955 info@desso.com www.desso.com www.tarkett.com March 2017, Tarkett Photographer: Alexander van Berge, Stylist: Bregje Nix