@article{a56886511a1247f8b8ced9ea2c7389e1,
title = "Transitional areas affect perception of workspaces and employee well-being: A study of underground and above-ground workspaces",
abstract = "Workspace design affects occupational health and performance as well as overall mental health. Using standardized and customized questionnaires (N = 195), this paper examines the relatively unexplored relationship between mental health, fatigue at work and factors relating to satisfaction within the workspace. Such factors include the subjective assessment of architectural properties of transitional spaces leading to the office and underground vs above-ground locations. Lower perceived confinement in transitional spaces was associated with better mental health, lower levels of perceived workload, and lower work-related physical and emotional fatigue. These associations were stronger than those with the perceived confinement in the workspace itself. Underground workers reported lower levels of physical and emotional fatigue. Among the participants working in above-ground offices, effects were stronger for those with higher levels of (non-clinical) claustrophobia. The present study highlights the effects, so far less acknowledged, of transitional spaces on the mental and psychological health of employees in underground and above-ground offices and suggests specific design interventions to enhance employee well-being.",
keywords = "Design aspects, Employee well-being, Mental health, Office, Transitional areas, Underground spaces",
author = "Zheng Tan and Roberts, {Adam Charles} and Lee, {Eun Hee} and Kwok, {Kian Woon} and Josip Car and Soh, {Chee Kiong} and George Christopoulos",
note = "Funding Information: This research is supported in part by the Singapore Ministry of National Development and the National Research Foundation , Prime Minister's Office under the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge (L2 NIC) Research Programme (L2 NIC Award No. L2NICCFP1-2013-2 ). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Singapore Ministry of National Development and National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore. The authors extend special thanks to Dr. Natalie T. Faust and Ms. Hui Shan Yap for their contribution to this study. Funding Information: This research is supported in part by the Singapore Ministry of National Development and the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office under the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge (L2 NIC) Research Programme (L2 NIC Award No. L2NICCFP1-2013-2). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Singapore Ministry of National Development and National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore. The authors extend special thanks to Dr. Natalie T. Faust and Ms. Hui Shan Yap for their contribution to this study. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2020",
month = jul,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106840",
language = "English",
volume = "179",
journal = "Building and Environment",
issn = "0360-1323",
publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",
}
