There's a fish tank inside Bloomberg's New York office. Photo by Steve Jurvetson
Biophilia’ aka ‘green space’, has been a buzzword in the office design sphere over the last few years. However, the provision of ‘blue space’ – meaning a water feature such as lakes, oceans or rivers – is also proven to boost productivity and mental wellbeing in the workplace, and has recently started to move closer to the forefront of designers’ and occupiers’ minds. In fact, according to a study from the Barcelona Institute of Global Health, blue spaces have been shown to be more effective at reducing stress than green spaces, like forests and parks.
Workspaces close to rivers, docks, canals and oceans can make employees feel like they are more creative, according to a study of more than 2,000 workers by Glasgow Caledonian University. One-third of the employees polled said that working near a river made them more productive. The research concluded that water adds to the working environment in a positive way, and that just being by water is both relaxing and stimulating, with employees who could see water outside their window feeling less confined by their workplace.
Blue is often associated with the intellect and is associated with increased brain activity and creativity. While studies associate rising blood pressure with the colour red, blue light was found to have the potential to lower blood pressure. Certainly, it is a soothing, calming colour, encouraging reflection – Pantone chose Classic Blue as their shade for 2020, saying that it instills "calm, confidence and connection". Even within the blue shade range, strong blues help stimulate clear thought, and lighter, softer blues can help calm the mind and aid concentration.
Office developments that are taking advantage of their naturally blue setting include Assembly in Bristol, which sits right on the waterside. For those that aren’t so lucky with their location, water features located outside but within visibility of those inside the office, have been popular for years, and their prevalence seem to be on the up. Examples abound, including those at Granary Square in London’s King’s Cross and in the South Plaza of the former Olympic Park. More recently, Colmore Square Piazza in Birmingham has installed an impressive water feature to benefit the employees working over the Snowhill Estate.