In today’s competitive global environment, employee productivity is an essential element of a company’s success. Employee productivity can be significantly hindered by high levels of stress experienced in the work environment. In addition, poor indoor air quality contributes to deterioration of employee health and well-being, which further reduces productivity.
The object of this study was to explore interior design techniques that may reduce employee stress and enhance productivity while using environmentally responsible materials and furnishings. The design paradigm was qualitative, and the research method used was a case study. Specifically, this was an action-research project consisting of a design proposal for an advertising firm in Michigan. The design solution includes elements that increase collaboration and enable teamwork among employees, combined with flexible and ergonomic furniture as a means to enhance productivity. Environmentally responsible material and furnishings were selected to protect the health and well-being of both employees and global ecosystems.
The study discusses limitations as to the wider applicability of the approach described herein and proposes recommendations for future works in this area.
","abstract_html":"<p>In today’s competitive global environment, employee productivity is an essential element of a company’s success. Employee productivity can be significantly hindered by high levels of stress experienced in the work environment. In addition, poor indoor air quality contributes to deterioration of employee health and well-being, which further reduces productivity.</p> <p>The object of this study was to explore interior design techniques that may reduce employee stress and enhance productivity while using environmentally responsible materials and furnishings. The design paradigm was qualitative, and the research method used was a case study. Specifically, this was an action-research project consisting of a design proposal for an advertising firm in Michigan. The design solution includes elements that increase collaboration and enable teamwork among employees, combined with flexible and ergonomic furniture as a means to enhance productivity. Environmentally responsible material and furnishings were selected to protect the health and well-being of both employees and global ecosystems.</p> <p>The study discusses limitations as to the wider applicability of the approach described herein and proposes recommendations for future works in this area.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Gutnick, Limor"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science (MS)","degree_level":"Open Access Thesis","degree_discipline":"Engineering Technology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Louise Jones, ArchD Chair","Professor Jiang Lu","Joy Naylor"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2007,"date_issued":"2007-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2007-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:16:30Z","subjects":["Work environment","Office layout","Offices Psychological aspects","Labor productivity","Human Resources Management","Interior Architecture"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.emich.edu/theses/151","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Louise Jones, ArchD Chair","Professor Jiang Lu","Joy Naylor"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Gutnick, Limor"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Engineering Technology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Open Access Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science (MS)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Work environment","Office layout","Offices Psychological aspects","Labor productivity","Human Resources Management","Interior Architecture"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/151"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["In today’s competitive global environment, employee productivity is an essential element of a company’s success. Employee productivity can be significantly hindered by high levels of stress experienced in the work environment. In addition, poor indoor air quality contributes to deterioration of employee health and well-being, which further reduces productivity.
The object of this study was to explore interior design techniques that may reduce employee stress and enhance productivity while using environmentally responsible materials and furnishings. The design paradigm was qualitative, and the research method used was a case study. Specifically, this was an action-research project consisting of a design proposal for an advertising firm in Michigan. The design solution includes elements that increase collaboration and enable teamwork among employees, combined with flexible and ergonomic furniture as a means to enhance productivity. Environmentally responsible material and furnishings were selected to protect the health and well-being of both employees and global ecosystems.
The study discusses limitations as to the wider applicability of the approach described herein and proposes recommendations for future works in this area.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["A workplace design that reduces employee stress and increases employee productivity using environmentally responsible materials"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Louise Jones, ArchD Chair","Professor Jiang Lu","Joy Naylor"],"dc:creator":["Gutnick, Limor"],"dc:description.abstract":["In today’s competitive global environment, employee productivity is an essential element of a company’s success. Employee productivity can be significantly hindered by high levels of stress experienced in the work environment. In addition, poor indoor air quality contributes to deterioration of employee health and well-being, which further reduces productivity.
The object of this study was to explore interior design techniques that may reduce employee stress and enhance productivity while using environmentally responsible materials and furnishings. The design paradigm was qualitative, and the research method used was a case study. Specifically, this was an action-research project consisting of a design proposal for an advertising firm in Michigan. The design solution includes elements that increase collaboration and enable teamwork among employees, combined with flexible and ergonomic furniture as a means to enhance productivity. Environmentally responsible material and furnishings were selected to protect the health and well-being of both employees and global ecosystems.
The study discusses limitations as to the wider applicability of the approach described herein and proposes recommendations for future works in this area.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/151"],"dc:subject":["Work environment","Office layout","Offices Psychological aspects","Labor productivity","Human Resources Management","Interior Architecture"],"dc:title":["A workplace design that reduces employee stress and increases employee productivity using environmentally responsible materials"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Engineering Technology"],"thesis:degree_level":["Open Access Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science (MS)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:16:30Z"}