-In the past, architecture and design were more a matter of taste and did not have such high credibility. With research, we can now back up why certain environments are better than others and also how to use the environment, says Isabelle Sjövall.

She is a designer who specializes in how our brain reacts to built environments and how these affect us psychologically and physiologically. In the new book Designfulness, she answers the question of how well-thought-out and smart design can affect how we feel and how creative, productive we become.

– Our brain has not changed much since our time on the savannah many tens of thousands of years ago. We often emphasize the individual differences between us humans, but we are actually quite similar and some of our needs are universal, says Isabelle Sjövall.

Universal common denominators are, for example, our need for community and recovery and how we are affected by light and sound. By taking these basic human needs into account when we build and decorate, we will feel better, she claims.

What is the most important thing to keep in mind when designing the workplace?

– Light, sound and biophilia, ie to decorate with nature, says Isabelle Sjövall and explains:

– The biophilia hypothesis is a concept that originates from Harvard where one examines how nature affects our mood. More and more studies show how important nature is to us. When there is a lack of nature around us, we do not feel well.

“Can have a stress-reducing effect”

She advises that try Sit down with a green view and look out over the trees and greenery and make sure to have green plants in the room.

– Paintings and textiles with natural motifs can also have a stress-reducing effect, studies show.

Access to natural daylight is not only good for concentration and productivity but also for us to sleep well and recover.

– Feel free to sit near a window. Think about lighting, what its purpose is. If it is a room for recovery, it may be good with a warmer light that brings to mind the campfire.

The acoustics are important to take into account, says Isabelle Sjövall. Noisy environments stress and disturb concentration.

– We notice that among those who now work a lot at home, more and more people are starting to complain about the acoustic environment, there are not always as many absorbents as in the office, there are open spaces and maybe the whole family is at home.

How can we, with the help of architecture and design, become more productive and creative?

– For example, research shows that a high ceiling height can increase the ability to think creatively. Shades of color that are red and orange can trigger our nervous system and stress. Rather decorate in shades that go to natural tones. Recovery is incredibly important. Decorate with comfortable sofas where you can take a break with lighting and plenty of green plants that help recovery.

Therefore, order is good

Order is fine.

– Too many things can increase the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. So it’s good to have pretty picky and tidy.

However, do not remove all visual stimuli. Research has shown that art and beautiful things stimulate the reward system in the brain and can make us more creative. The brain likes stimuli and impressions in the right dose, says Isabelle Sjövall.

If it is too minimalist and barren then it signals that this is not a good place to be because there is probably no food. Something we have with us from when we lived on the savannah where our brains once developed.

The most important thing is to understand what the purpose of a surface is, she emphasizes.

– What is the function of the surface? What is needed if people are to be able to feel good and perform here?

The article was originally published in Staff & leadership.