Reintegrating the workplace: the benefits of a stimulating work environment for boosting creativity and fostering wellbeing

In a world where remote work has become the norm and people have been forced to retreat back into their homes, the mental health of workers has taken a hit. Sure, remote work has taught us to be more flexible, but two years into the pandemic, it’s lost some of its lustre. Most of us are left with a burning desire to get back into our pre-pandemic routine and socialize with our colleagues.

Now that many of us are getting ready to get back into the office, whether it’s full-time or in hybrid mode, here’s a reminder of the many benefits that a stimulating and dynamic work environment can have on productivity, creativity, and general wellbeing.

The purely aesthetic aspect of a workspace – thoughtful design, a nice view, a comfortable place to relax away from your desk, large windows, etc. – might seem superficial, but the truth is, it’s not just about looks. The impact of these choices on employees’ wellbeing is very real – and very significant! For employers, a beautiful work environment can even strengthen employees’ loyalty to the company and sense of belonging.

If you’re still skeptical about the positive effects of a great work environment on morale and productivity, here are a few arguments that might convince you. 

1 – Contributing to employees’ wellbeing at work

Remote work has many benefits when it comes to work-life balance and flexibility, but its long-term effects are starting to wear on many people. It’s not easy to maintain motivation and productivity when teams are scattered and colleagues can only see each other through a screen. As a result, mental health in the workplace is a hot topic these days and should be among employers’ top priorities. In this context, a beautiful, thoughtfully designed work environment can have a crucial impact on establishing a healthy workplace.

According to a Léger poll, happiness at work is creeping up in the priorities of Quebecers. Achieving professional goals is no longer enough: We want to feel happy when we go to work in the morning. After all, that’s where most of us spend a good portion of our waking hours!

Two years into the pandemic, employers have a great opportunity to contribute to their employees’ wellness and show they care about their mental health by creating a healthy and comfortable work environment.

Of course, our happiness at work is dependent on much more than just material considerations, but you’d be surprised by the power of a stimulating and thoughtfully designed workplace on morale.

2 – Attracting – and retaining – talents

With the current labour shortage, a great work environment can become an important asset for employers, making them more attractive to job seekers and facilitating talent retention. Young professionals – specifically Millennials and Gen Z folks – give a lot of importance to the environment in which they spend the best part of their day.

A healthy, dynamic, and – yes – aesthetically pleasing environment is a precious asset to differentiate yourself in a highly competitive market. It’s an occasion for the employer to prove to employees that their wellbeing matters.

Remember that, according to polls, most reasons cited by job seekers as determining factors when it comes to accepting or rejecting a job offer relate, above all else, to their quality of life in the workplace.

3 – Encouraging social interactions between coworkers

It’s no secret that the pandemic took its toll on our mental health. Thousands of people had to transition to remote work and renounce an important aspect of their professional life: socialization. 

But human interaction is essential in order to establish strong team cohesion. In any business, physical proximity allows colleagues to develop relationships based on trust, collaborate more efficiently, and feel like every member of the team contributes to the success of the business. It also allows employees to receive direct feedback and recognition for their work. According to experts, all of these elements are absolutely crucial when it comes to retaining talent. 

On top of all that, socialization is essential for maintaining our mental health and wellbeing, which should be a top priority for any employer, now more than ever.

4 – Promoting relaxation – yes, at work!

Did you know that a poorly thought-out workspace can actually have damaging effects on motivation and productivity? Conversely, an office that offers dedicated relaxation areas can help boost morale and foster concentration. Integrating such spaces to your workplace is not a luxury. Though some might find such a practice superfluous or downright counterproductive, it can actually have a considerable impact on employees’ wellbeing.

It’s important to create work-free zones and common spaces dedicated to relaxing or engaging in non-professional activities. In most offices, the kitchen serves as a meeting spot and a place to decompress in front of a warm coffee or meal. Ideally, this will be an open and airy space with lots of natural light (extra point for plants, as it is scientifically proven that a green workplace fosters wellbeing, productivity, and creativity).

At Entrepôts Dominion, we’ve decided to go a step further to ensure that everyone who uses our building, whether they’re permanent tenants or users of our coworking space, have access to outstanding no-work zones: a gym to get moving without having to leave the building, and a lush terrace with a pool to relax after a long day or just take a break between meetings. Each floor also has dedicated common spaces to sit and chat, away from your desk.

5 – Improving productivity

A pleasant and inviting work environment has a tremendous impact on morale. Combine this with a thoughtful design that takes into consideration the employees’ need to step away from their work and recharge from time to time, and you’ll have a winning combo for boosting productivity.

For ages, decision-makers and managers thought creating an inspiring and stimulating workplace was a waste of money. They were more interested in the bottom line and maximizing profits. Thankfully, that mindset is evolving. Today, businesses that adopt human-centric strategies thrive because caring for your employees is far from superfluous!

According to an article published in L’actualité, “employees’ wellbeing has become an obsession for businesses now that study after study shows that happiness makes people more productive.”

And it’s true: It’s scientifically proven that a healthy and stimulating work environment has a positive impact, helping to reduce stress and absenteeism, as well as improving motivation among employees. Turns out, investing in the wellbeing and happiness of your team can actually be profitable!

6 – Boosting creativity

Productivity isn’t the only thing benefiting from a stimulating work environment. Workplaces with unique and dynamic design are also said to boost creativity, favour innovation, and promote the emergence of new ideas.

Some might see it all as smoke and mirrors, but the fact is that design and aesthetics have a tangible effect on creativity. After all, most of us draw inspiration from our environment.

It’s no coincidence that businesses that consider creativity to be a paramount value often end up in outstanding offices. Think of the breathtaking offices of prestigious architecture firms, of the unique headquarters of Airbnb in San Francisco or, closer to home, of Montreal-based ad agency Bos, who used to have its offices at Entrepôts Dominion. Such businesses truly understand the positive influence the work environment can have on creativity.

Design firm Benjamin Behrer and architect Luc Laporte teamed up to restore our historical building on St. Ambroise Street, back in 2006, to create the outstanding space we know today. They received numerous design awards, including the jury’s choice from Créativité Montréal, and were named among the most beautiful offices in the country according to Canadian Interiors. 

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To put it simply, you shouldn’t overlook the crucial role a great work environment plays on your wellbeing and that of your employees or colleagues. It’s so important to feel happy and motivated to go to work every morning!

For maximum effect, combine different types of spaces under one roof (relaxing common spaces, green spaces, closed offices for when you need to concentrate, rooms dedicated to working in teams, etc.) to meet the needs of everyday work life.

A good work climate doesn’t just depend on good design, of course. But it’s a big step toward creating an environment that fosters general wellbeing at work.