With summer right around the corner for those in northern hemisphere, many are eager to escape the office and spend more time outdoors.
But what if you could combine work and nature? It’s something several cities and companies have been trying to do, creating outdoor spaces where workers can get back to nature, but with all the trappings of the modern office, such as wireless internet, electrical outlets and desks.
Not all work is best done at the desk, says Jerry Tate, an architect and partner with London firm Tate Harmer. “Sometimes it’s best to talk at a meeting table, or a coffee shop – there’s no reason why a fair chunk of that stuff can’t be combined with sitting outside,” he says.
There’s plenty of research to suggest that being surrounded by nature, whether that’s having a view of trees and grass from an office window or having a plant at your desk, can help people work harder. A Human Spaces Global Report found that workplaces that incorporate natural elements, like greenery and sunlight, are 6% more productive and 15% more creative than offices that don’t.