In conversation with: Bastiënne de Haan, interior designer at Ahrend: "People are central to all our designs"
In every workspace designed by Ahrend, human well-being takes centre stage. People who feel good in their work environment are more motivated, healthier and perform better. But how do you create working environments in which people feel comfortable? Bastiënne de Haan, senior interior designer at Ahrend, explains how she applies insights from behavioural psychology to the design of vitalising work environments.
Scientifically substantiating experience
"I have been working at Ahrend for 12.5 years and design interiors for many different clients: offices, hospitals, public institutions and schools. From a boardroom to several complete floors. And everything in between. I investigate what the wishes are and see how I can best match the design to them."
"The great thing about this profession is that I use my creativity to design interiors that help people through the working day. At Ahrend, we do a lot of research into the work environment and I already have a lot of knowledge thanks to my years of work experience. With a degree in environmental psychology at the University of Amsterdam, I have deepened that knowledge even more. And I can also better substantiate it scientifically."
‘"With my designs, I help people through the working day well."’
Interviewing and observing people
"An important part of the study was the field research. For example, I was commissioned to observe how it is used in a park. For example, I conducted interviews with the various visitors: for example, parents with children, cyclists and other recreationists. And she asked how they use the park, what they like and don't like about it. And in a coffee shop I studied the acoustics. I noticed that people react physically to noise: they really huddle together. I already knew a lot of facts, but after two hours of observing people, I was able to place it better."
People are at the heart of design
"How people experience an environment is the basis of every design. They have to function in it. In my designs, I start with the wishes of the users. I map out for which company, which space, which departments and which people the design is and which facilities are desired. I specify this according to workplace typologies: for example, places to relax, land or concentrate. Then I determine a logical layout, making sure, for example, that a quiet place is not next to a social zone or collaborative workplace."
The power of colour and form
"Colour and shape play a decisive role in my designs. Colour reflects the corporate identity. At the same time, it is very important to use colour. Sometimes a company with red in the logo also wants to see red in the office design. I recommend choosing soft or greyish red. Because bright red is too warning in the office. The color red evokes in people: 'pay attention!'. Take, for example, the hot tap with the red dot. You don't want that warning effect in the office. You can also make a difference for people in an office design with the shape. I choose nature-oriented shapes. Think of rounded corners of furniture. Or round walkways in the office. That feels safer than justice. You can't see around a right angle and you can't see what's coming. Round sightlines increase orientation and the feeling of safety."
‘"Bright red evokes 'pay attention!' to people – you don't want that warning effect in the office."’
Everything in balance
"For a good office design, everything must be in balance: the corporate identity, workplace typology, layout, shape and colour. And also aspects such as comfort and well-being, acoustics, air, light and natural elements. The mix of all these elements is different for every client and is always tailor-made. At larger organizations, I do workshops and interviews with employees and management. From that I get information about how they work, what the company stands for, where they want to be in five years. Based on our design pillars, I then create the interior, in which the user is central. That determines whether the design succeeds and whether it encourages the desired behaviour."
Design pillars Ahrend:
- User-centric
- Connection with company, colleagues and external parties
- (Neuro)diversity
- Connection with nature
- Comfort and well-being
- Sustainable materialization
Design for people, not business
"I don't design for a company, but for the people who work there. That is why I always ask if I can interview employees during an intake. Or sometimes a company has already conducted surveys among its employees about their wishes. It is important to involve employees. Management often has a vision of how everyone works. But that is not always in line with the practice of the employees. In separate workshops with management and employees, we come to a middle ground. I will work with the results from the workshops. And I start with a sketch based on workplace typology containing the floor plan, the layout and the zoning – in, for example, meeting and work places. After approval of the sketch, I will continue with the preliminary design in 3D, which will also include the materialization, upholstery, furniture and colors. Finally, the final proposal follows, in which everything comes together."
Furnishing is collaboration
"A good office design comes down to cooperation. It is important that employees and management bear it together. And that they feel ownership for their work environment. I don't prescribe the design, but let people think along. That is why – depending on the size of the assignment – I organize a presentation moment after each phase. In it, I show what I have made based on their input. If they really see it, it comes to life more and they can give feedback better. Often a delegation from the client also visits us in the showroom so that they can feel, see and try out the products."
‘"I don't prescribe the design, but let people think along."’
A good feeling
"When designing work environments, it is increasingly about feeling good. You can buy such a beautiful desk, but if you put it in a black, small, echoing room, it won't work. Especially due to the corona era – when many people were confined to their homes – there is much more awareness in society of what an environment can do to people. At Ahrend, we therefore look at a complete story. We add our expertise and behavioral insights to make our products work for people. This is the sum of a good appearance – in line with the company identity – good facilities and layout, light, air, acoustics and comfortable, ergonomic furniture. If everything is right in a working environment, people feel at home, perform better and stay healthier."
‘"When designing work environments, it's increasingly about feeling good."’
What nature does to people
"One last lesson I would like to share is the power of nature. In the past, people were always outside. Nowadays we spend 90% of our time indoors. It is becoming increasingly clear how important nature is for our health. For example, a study in healthcare by (Ulrich 1984) showed that patients who look at a concrete wall all day recover less quickly than patients who look out on trees. What nature does to us is very special. For example, it turns out that just four minutes of watching nature reduces stress, calmer breathing, lower blood pressure. I apply that in my designs. For example, by depicting a forest on a wall, by placing a lot of greenery in the working environment and by applying organic shapes."
Did you know...
- Watching nature for four minutes lowers blood pressure?
- Do patients who look at a wall heal more slowly than patients who have a green view?
- Biophilic design in a work environment increases productivity and well-being? (source: Terrapin Bright Green)
- Elements such as good coffee, fruit at work and sports facilities contribute to well-being and comfort in and around the workplace?
- The design of an office can strengthen the corporate culture and brand identity and thus contribute to attracting and retaining talent?
What do behavioural psychological insights yield?
"If you put people at the center of your work environment – and thus respond to people's behavior – you ensure that they feel at home there. And those who feel good are healthier, happier, perform better, are more productive and more creative. With a well-designed, vitalizing work environment, you keep people mentally and socially stimulated and they stay connected to your company. They feel heard and are involved. And that means that they are more committed, able and willing to do more. In this way, you not only keep employees but the entire organization healthy."
Wondering how you can use your work environment to promote the well-being and productivity of your employees?You can read more in our white paper on vitalising work environments.
Download our whitepaper Vitalising Workspaces
