Glass in the mindful workspace: aiding well-being and productivity
Share this blog:
Can glass make a workplace more mindful? Sort the facts from the fiction in our handy guide for businesses.
All businesses need hard work to flourish. But does hard work have to mean a hard time? Increasingly, managers and business owners believe well-being and productivity are close bedfellows.
This can be seen in all sorts of ways – from team-building exercises to breakout rooms, from flexible hours to gym discounts.
In recent years, too, there's been a trend towards integrating mindfulness into the workplace. In some companies, this takes the form of mindfulness sessions. In others, it's a holistic approach to the workplace that covers everything from communication styles to the physical environment.
At its heart, mindfulness is about improving present-moment awareness, focus and non-judgment. This, they say, can make teams calmer, more focused and more resilient. And you don't need to be a spiritual person to see that calm, focus and resilience can lead to better decision-making.
Can the building materials used in a workspace make a difference, too? We believe so. A mindful office is likely to have cool colours, ergonomic furniture, uncluttered workspaces – and plenty of glass.
Yes, if you're looking for an environment that stimulates calm, focus and mindfulness, you can't go wrong with glass. A mindful workspace needs plenty of windows – but it can also make use of glass walls, doors, skylights and even floors.
By prioritising glass as a design feature, workplaces become lighter, brighter and more welcoming. If it's mental clarity you're after, glass is the clear choice.
How can glass create a mindful workspace?
Let there be light!
It's hard to overstate the importance of lighting to the overall atmosphere of a workspace. Harsh lighting feels cold and corporate. Soft lighting feels cosy and focused.
Natural light creates a sense of openness – and some research suggests it can improve mood, productivity and even the quality of your sleep.
This means windows, of course. But it also means glass partitions separating workspaces rather than walls. This makes the natural light travel farther and deeper into the office space.
Oh, and as well as helping to foster a culture of mindfulness, glass windows and partitions reduce your reliance on electric lighting. This helps cut carbon emissions – not to mention your energy bills.
Transparency and inclusion
Some business owners believe in the importance of hierarchy. The boss, they say, should be behind a closed door. But an increasing number of businesses are trying to break that door down. Glass, you might be surprised to hear, can act as a battering ram. (Figuratively. We repeat: figuratively.)
Glass walls and doors create a feeling of openness, honesty and clear lines of communication. They help break down the divide between management and the rest of the workforce and can even boost team morale.
So, if your workspace feels exclusive, secretive or just a bit cold, consider replacing those solid walls with glass partitions. You'll be amazed at the difference they can make.
Peace and quiet
Once upon a time, glass had two key disadvantages. It broke easily and it let the noise in, as any owner of a single-glazed property will testify.
Today's glass products are a different kettle of fish. Glass partitions for offices are made from laminated glass – a type of glass consisting of two sheets of glass with a plastic interlayer. This plastic interlayer provides structural integrity even when the unit breaks.
But laminated glass – and its sister in safety glass, toughened glass – don't just offer robustness. They also provide good sound insulation.
This is especially the case if you get specialised acoustic glass like our very own TG AG product. This provides all the durability of laminated glass with a design that's tailor-made for absorbing sound.
The benefits for a mindful workspace are plain to see. Soundproofing allows for quiet areas for concentration, relaxation and privacy.
And they achieve this without erecting stiff, solid brick walls that block out the light. Win-win!
The importance of being gorgeous
Yes, glass in a workspace can maximise natural light, foster a sense of openness and keep noise to a minimum. But glass has another ace in the hole: it makes offices more beautiful places.
In the world of business, beauty often takes a back seat. But from branding to office design, beauty can reduce stress and improve productivity.
A well-made glass window, door or partition has an austere beauty, for sure. But the beauty of glass can be accented with coloured interlayers, mesh textures or even digitally printed designs.
It is, of course, possible to take a mindful attitude to work in an aesthetically displeasing environment. But for most people, a beautiful environment helps them focus on the present moment and leave their anxieties for later.
What is glass used for in offices?
Think "glass in the modern workspace" and your mind is likely to go straight to windows and doors. In fact, it can be used in a surprising number of applications.
Solid walls can be replaced with partitions. Splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms can be made out of glass. And in high-end work environments, the lifts, stairs and even floors can be made of the stuff.
It goes without saying that not just any glass will do – especially for those structural, load-bearing applications. The safety of your staff and visitors is too important to cut corners.
When investing in glass for a workspace, you can rarely go wrong with toughened or laminated glass. These are both specialist types of safety glass, built for high-traffic areas and buildings where safety is a must.
Luckily for you, these products are versatile as well as safe. Whatever your design vision, your glass can help, not hinder.
So, if you're looking for customised, compliant glass for an office building project, get in touch with ToughGlaze today for a quick, competitive quote. We'll make sure you get exactly the materials you need, exactly when you need them.
