Office design is challenging in terms of diversity
of people that work in an environment. It varies
from generation, gender and culture.
There is
diversity observed in the work tasks, functions
and hierarchical structure. Hence, office design needs to be addressed in away that provides the right environment for the employees as well as visitors to ensure improvement in spatial performance. However, that cannot be accomplished entirely until and unless comfort is addressed and all human
factors are considered
A work environment that recognizes human
needs as both sustainable and inclusive is needed. As a workspace cannot perform in isolation.
For spatial planning, it is essential to understand the
relationship between the interactions of humans with their environment and behavioural responses. This leads to human factors. Human factors are the understanding of how humans relate, function
and interact with the physical space.
Amongst various factors, privacy, personal space,
proximity and ergonomic balance for comfort are considered as primary concepts. Based on these concepts, the theories of Proxemics and ergonomics are considered most important while planning an office space. They consist of all the primary concepts of human factors and are theories which summarize the way humans relate
to the world around them.
- Proxemil: and its impact on
performance
spatial
Proxemics is a study used to define relationships
between humans within the space concerning proximity. It's the study of how people interact with each other as well as the space and relates to social, physical and psychological aspects of the space as well as the way spaces are planned. It helps to design spaces in which there can be comfortable movement in physical as well as psychological sense.
The theory of proxemics talks about proximity in
relation with space and humans which directly affects the spatial planning in a space. The following principles of layout determine the way people
interact based on proximity:
(i) Socio Fugal space
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