We explore how an increasing awareness of the importance – and the fragility – of mental and physical health and well-being has prompted a more sophisticated approach to the way we design and operate the places where people work.

Building owners and occupiers are increasingly demanding good daylight, improved air quality, better acoustics, and sophisticated temperature control, but also, increasingly, favour environments that actively reduce stress by facilitating connections to the natural world, offering opportunities for relaxation and exercise and, crucially, striking the right balance between the need for collaboration and social interaction and focussed, individual work.

Chaired by Architecture Todat editor, Isabel Allen, speakers include:

Dr Chiara Amati, Chartered Occupational Psychologist at The Keil Centre talks about her experience of working with individuals, teams and organisations to promote psychological wellbeing at work and how a better understanding of how personality shapes individuals’ experience in a workplace context.

Carol Costello, Practice Leader at Cullinan Studio explains navigated the consultation process to deliver a successful working environment for all stakeholders and whether the approach at the NAIC can inform other multi occupancy space workplaces that fosters and supports creativity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing.

Lynne Clapham-Carter, Specification Manager, Geberit UK, explores the importance of the role of the washroom in the workplace.

Joe Haire, Director at White Red Architects talks about their approach to designing innovative workplace environments in the context of recent projects with a particular focussing on designing for employee flexibility, safeguarding mental health and wellness, incorporating new materials and tech and attracting buyers and tenants by creating office environments that stand out from the competition

Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics looks at whether
end-user health being prioritised enough in office redesigns in light of new research that suggests employee welfare is falling short when adapting workspaces.

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