International Week - Restorative Working Environment

Lecturer was Suvi Nenonen who works in the Helsinki University of Technology. She participates in a project called The The Prowork Project. The project aims to understand the requirements of productive knowledge work in physical, virtual and social work, and how to manage the process of change in the workplace.


Background:

What is the role of the workplace in knowledge work? Why do we need offices, when we have the virtual offices, meaning the laptop computers. Many work in multiple places in addition to their main office, for example, at the client's home, hotel, while traveling, etc.. Each work place can be seen as 'mixing' of different areas
· Physical
· Virtual
· Social Space

I think we need all three environments for productive work, they support each other. More knowledge is needed to develop the re-creative functions of the office: what type of restorative places can be done and what kind of restorative elements there can be.

Nenonen also talked about relaxation within the office which affects on recreation. When workers are alert, productivity is high. Either space can be relaxing or some elements there. Or how does it sound if joga replaces regular coffee breaks?