### The influence of workspace on creativity and well-being: a necessary reflection
For decades, the importance of the team in the innovation process has been widely recognized. It is often claimed that bringing together brilliant minds in dynamic teams promotes creativity. However, it is essential not to neglect the significant impact of the physical environment on this dynamic of collaboration and creativity.
#### Space as a determining factor
It has become clear through various research that the space in which we work plays a crucial role by shaping our way of thinking, interacting and engaging. Neuroscience has shown that our environment, whether in terms of light, noise or movable provisions, directly influences our state of mind and our concentration capacity. In addition, organizational psychology stresses that corporate culture is manifested by space signals, which can encourage or inhibit certain interactions.
The boom in the Open Space office, perceived as an innovative solution, therefore deserves a reassessment. If these spaces can promote visibility and communication, they may also eradicate concentration and need for intimacy. Constant noise pollution as well as the absence of physical barriers seem, for many employees, to lead to a form of withdrawal, where the wearing of helmets and the demand for telework days increase significantly. This disaffection arouses questions about the cost of an unsuitable office design.
#### alternative models: to inclusive workspaces
A more effective model would try to recognize that different tasks require various environments. Tasks requiring intense concentration call for calm spaces, while strategic sessions can benefit from creative stimuli. Informal exchanges, which are often the soil of the best ideas, also require relaxed places where the pressure of performance fades.
The works are the most functional workspaces are those that are zoned, flexible and intentional. These spaces are not content to offer an area, but create conducive places to feel comfortable, concentrated and connected. This return to a design more sensitive to the needs of individuals is not only a better approach, but could also promote creativity in a framework that respects the natural rhythm of the teams.
#### The emotional and sensitive dimension of space
Beyond the arrangement, the emotional signal issued by a space is significant. Does the place invite collaboration or withdrawal? Does he reflect a confidence granted to individuals to manage their time and their energy, or does he suggest an intensive and intrusive management? The metaphorical image of workers observed as laboratory animals for behavioral changes, embodies a striking antithesis of the desired inspiration.
A historical anecdote illustrates this issue well. In an industrialized working environment, employees were starting to queue to point their release before the end of their day, not out of laziness, but because the environment conditioned them to favor respect for time to the detriment of engagement. Creativity, therefore, could be stifled when the clock turns into a member of the team monitoring individual actions.
### towards a recognition of neurodiversity
It is also relevant to take into account the diversity of needs among modern teams. While some can prosper in bright and animated environments, others can quickly be overwhelmed by these same stimuli. The creation of suitable workspaces should not be seen as a simple advantage, but as an essential condition for an inclusive thought.
Studies show that individuals who feel control over their working environment, demonstrate higher performance. Being able to choose your seat, adjust the light or settle in a different room contributes to a feeling of belonging, thus promoting a climate of psychological security.
#### After the pandemic: reassess the workspace
The transition to a post-pandemic hybrid model has highlighted the need to create environments that are intended to be humans. People who worked at home have developed increased sensitivity to factors such as comfort, autonomy and the need for tranquility. To bring them back to a shared office, employers must offer an enriching experience that cannot be based on the obligation. Professional space must be designed to “win” individuals, both by its resources and by the quality of the experience offered.
This implies a questioning of ancient dichotomies such as that of “balance between professional and private life”, which wrongly supposes that these two aspects are driven by opposite logics.
### Conclusion
Analysis of the workspace cannot be limited to superficial considerations. The way we conceive the environments can have deep repercussions not only on productivity, but also on the general well-being of employees