Light and space create a productive office environment

Even a small office area can be made to look and feel more spacious. Dulux Light & Space, by way of example, is a revolutionary paint that causes a room to reflect twice as much light as conventional emulsions, thereby making any room appear larger. "Using paint technology known as Lumitec, Light & Space is more reflective and less absorbent of natural or artificial light. This maximises the impression of space and can improve the ambience and appearance of a workspace, while using up to 20% less energy," explains Dulux Trade marketing manager Frank Wagner.

Cleaner and purer

Available in a range of 17 colours, offices no longer need to only use white to be bright. "All our colours are cleaner and purer than normal pastel shades, and when you combine this with our Lumitec technology, you get a truly unique look to your office. With space at a premium in the property market, it is ideal for making small rooms seem bigger and more individual than plain white, which on its own can sometimes feel a bit cold and clinical and not conducive to a productive environment," adds Wagner.

While Light & Space has been designed with the environment in mind, it's important to note that energy efficiency is not only about protecting the planet, but creating a sense of well-being among employees too. Today, people work longer hours than ever before, and they do it more flexibly in terms of the time in which they work and where they choose to carry out their daily to-do lists.

"Compared to standard office lighting with fluorescent tubes, LED and energy saving bulbs are transforming the way lighting is approached in office spaces around the world. Offering support for the changes being seen in the workplace, modern lighting solutions provide freedom of shape and design, use of colours, dynamic effects in intensity and direction, as well as creating spaces for enhanced comfort and well-being," says marketing manager of Philips Lighting South Africa, John Westermeyer.

Employee retention

It is a well-known fact that the overall look of an office space can significantly affect the performance of the employees who occupy it. "Depending on the work situation, an employee's level of satisfaction with his/her job can vary considerably. Job satisfaction affects companies in major ways, perhaps the most significant of which is employee retention. The role of job satisfaction on retention includes the employee's productivity, creativity and value to the employer," explains Kelly managing director, Graham Bentley.

Indeed, research into the well documented sick building syndrome (SBS) reflects this train of thought. Defined as a combination of ailments associated with an individual's place of work, SBS is related to poor indoor air quality. Flaws in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as contaminants produced by outgassing some types of building materials and volatile organic compounds are also to blame.