Designing for Well-Being and Harmony

Minimalism in design is far from a new concept. The “less is more” philosophy

where forms are reduced down to only their necessary elements has been en

vogue since the 1960’s.

But building the case for minimal, simplistic design isn’t always just about

making an aesthetic statement. The intentional design approach for Helio

was about creating a seating experience that would blend harmoniously

with its surroundings.

Rather than framing the chair to be a focal point in a setting, it was designed

to give people more unobstructed access to air and light, striking that perfect

balance of visual continuity and personal comfort.

But why design a chair specifically to optimize its environment? Because when

it comes to daylight, views of nature, and the color of your surroundings—all

proven moderators of mood and performance—minimizing the visual disruption

of these elements is essential for flow and well-being.

∙ Access to daylight has

proven positive effects

on alertness, regulating

the body’s circadian

rhythm, and minimizing

eyestrain and headaches.

∙ Natural elements and

sunlight exposure relate

positively to job satisfaction,

well-being, and productivity.

∙ The use of certain colors

can impact factors such as

productivity, creativity, and

communication.

KEY FINDINGS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1: Let There Be Light 3

Section 2: Force of Nature 4

Section 3: Color One’s View 5

Section 4: In Full Flow 5

Sources 6

3

SECTION 1Let There Be Light

It seems obvious to point out that people have an intuitive

desire to experience daylight and that they feel more

energized and positive when doing so. Lack of regular

sunlight exposure and its negative effects were discovered

in the early 1980s when Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD)

was first formally termed.1

Those who suffer from SAD were shown to lack energy,

have difficulty with concentrating and decision making,

and exhibit signs of social withdrawal. Conversely, many

studies since have affirmed the powerful health benefits

of daylight.

Regular exposure to natural light serves to balance

our circadian rhythms which dictate important bodily

functions such as sleep regulation and hormonal release

linked to mood.2 When these rhythms and hormones are

disrupted, people experience stress.3

The beneficial impact of daylight on people also extends

to the workplace, which is well-supported by research

substantiating the positive relationship between natural

light and worker well-being, productivity and creativity.4

Not only has daylight exposure been connected to job

satisfaction and increased organizational commitment, it

has been found to be the number one wanted feature in

the workplace even outranking other perks such as onsite

cafeterias and fitness centers.5, 6

Reinforcing this connection to employee health,

according to a recent study conducted by Cornell

University Professor Dr. Alan Hedge, workers in daylit

office environments reported a 51% percent drop in

symptoms of eyestrain, a 63% drop in headaches, and

a 56% reduction in drowsiness— all which can detract

from workplace productivity and impact employee

absenteeism.7

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SECTION 2Force of Nature

Beyond regular exposure to daylight, there is much

evidence to support the proven benefits of biophilic or

nature-inspired elements in interior spaces to worker

well-being and productivity.8

Biophilia is the school of thought that suggests there

is an instinctive biological connection between human

beings and nature which affects our personal well-being,

productivity, and societal relationships.9

Leading organizations such as the World Green Building

Council, the International Well Building Institute, and

Human Spaces each have published extensive reports

providing well-documented research on how biophilia-

based design principles featuring the presence of natural

elements can promote health, well-being and productivity

in the workplace.10

Exposure, whether through window views of nature or

through the use of plants and water features within the

workplace, has been associated with decreased levels of

depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure, enhanced

mental stamina and focus, and improved cognitive

functions.11, 12

In contrast, workers in offices with poorer views and no

contact with nature used significantly more sick leave.13

In addition, the presence of nature provides the much

needed sensory change and visual stimulation for

neurological micro-breaks which can affect a worker’s

ability to stay alert and attentive.14

10%Of employee absences can be attributed to architecture with no connection to nature.

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SECTION 3Color One’s View

SECTION 4In Full Flow

Color is an essential component for how we, as humans,

experience our immediate surroundings and the world at

large. The vital link between color and human emotion

was explored as early as the 19th century when the

German poet Goethe published his treatise called

Theory of Colours.15 While not scientifically derived, it

was the precursor to the modern day approach to color

psychology which is the study of colors and their effect

on people.

Studies have shown that the use of certain colors can

impact factors such as productivity, creativity, and

communication.16 In Human Spaces’ global report, which

surveyed 7,600 employees from 16 countries around the

world, over two-thirds (67%) of respondents reported

feeling happy when walking into bright office environments

accented with green, yellow, or blue colors.17 Architectural

and design firms frequently use the language of color

to drive purpose, culture, and brand and to create an

atmosphere where work patterns can be informed within

an environment.18

Understanding the considerable impact that daylight,

nature, and color have on worker performance and

well-being, it was important for Kimball to develop a

seating solution that provided unfettered access to

these elements. Helio’s design features a light scale,

neutral palette, and seamlessly integrated controls

to provide less visual distraction and promote design

harmony. And because Helio can be used in a variety

of settings, it creates cohesion, flow, and unity

throughout an entire workspace.

By allowing the focus to be on its surroundings, Helio

strives to elevate comfort and well-being at work and

enhance the employee experience. Ω

6

SOURCES

1 “The effects of exposure to natural light in the workplace on the health and productivity of office workers: a

systematic review protocol,”

https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/Fulltext/2010/08161/The_effects_of_exposure_to_natural_light_in_the.5.aspx/,

June 2010.

2 Christopher Bergland, “Exposure to Natural Light Improves Workplace Performance,”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201306/exposure-natural-light-improves-workplace-

performance/, June 5, 2013.

3 “Workplace Strategies that Enhance Performance, Health and Wellness workplace,”

https://www.hok.com/thought-leadership/workplace-strategies-that-enhance-human-performance-health-and-

wellness/, April 26, 2017.

4 Human Spaces, The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace, p.34, 2015.

5 Jeanne C. Meister, “The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light,”https://hbr.org/2018/09/the-1-office-perk-natural-light/,

September 3, 2018.

6 Mihyang An, Stephen M. Colarelli, Kimberly O’Brien, and Melanie E. Boyajian, “Why We Need More Nature at

Work: Effects of Natural Elements and Sunlight on Employee Mental Health and Work Attitudes,”

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155614/, 2016.

7 Alan Hedge, “Worker Reactions Worker Reactions to Electrochromic and Low e Glass Office Windows,”

https://medwinpublishers.com/EOIJ/EOIJ16000166.pdf/, July 23, 2018.

8 Human Spaces, The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace, 2015.

9 Terrapin Bright Green, The Economics of Biophilia, 2012, p.5

10 Ash Buchanan and Juliana Santiago, “Why natural light matters in the workplace,”

https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/why-natural-light-matters-in-the-workplace/, April 2016.

11 Mihyang An, Stephen M. Colarelli, Kimberly O’Brien, and Melanie E. Boyajian, “Why We Need More Nature at

Work: Effects of Natural Elements and Sunlight on Employee Mental Health and Work Attitudes,”

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155614/, 2016.

12 Joye, Yannick Joye, “Architectural Lessons From Environmental Psychology: The case of Biophilic Architecture,”

Review of General Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp.305–328, 2007.

13 Ihab M. K. Elzeyadi, “Daylighting-Bias and Biophilia: Quantifying the Impact of Daylighting on Occupants Health,”

http://www.dscience.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/OR10_Daylighting-Bias-and-Biophilia.pdf/, 2015.

7

14 “Workplace Strategies that Enhance Performance, Health and Wellness workplace,”

https://www.hok.com/thought-leadership/workplace-strategies-that-enhance-human-performance-health-and-

wellness/, April 26, 2017.

15 Maria Popova, “19th-Century Insight Into the Psychology of Color and Emotion,”

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/08/19th-century-insight-into-the-psychology-of-color-and-

emotion/261261/, August 17, 2012.

16 Cecelia RiosVelasco, “Color and Visual Comfort,” https://soa.utexas.edu/sites/default/disk/urban_ecosystems/

urban_ecosystems/09_03_fa_kwallek_riosvelasco_ml.pdf/.

17 Human Spaces, The Global Impact of Biophilic Design inthe Workplace, p. 31, 2015.

18 Natalie Engels, “Tech Trends of 2016: Color as Language,” http://www.gensleron.com/work/2016/9/23/tech-trends-

of-2016-color-as-a-language.html/, September 23, 2016.