A STUDY OF THE THREE IMPORTANT AMBIENT FACTORS;

COLOUR, LIGHTING AND NOISE AND THEIR EFFECTS ON

EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY IN OPEN PLAN BANK OFFICES
Faculty of architecture,Manipal Academy of higher education

SHUBHANGI BAHETI
VII-C
153701168
ABSTRACT
In office design today . An employee that is aware of the importance of creating a servicescape (the
attributes of the physical surrounding) that meets its needs and desires is likely to enhance its
satisfaction in the ambient conditions.this leads to the problem formulation of this paper: “discussion
of the tangible factors of the built environment and their effects on employee productivity”.four main
theories are used to provide an understanding about the complexity of problems that comes with
working in an open-plan office. The bitner theory and the research compiled by sundstrom discuss
ambient conditions and their impacts on employees’ behaviour/satisfaction. Evans and johnson’s
theory discusses how stress is related to low intensity noise. The final main theory, vietch et al,talks
about the factors and subfactors realted to lighting and its moods.here we show the ambient conditions
influencing employee behaviour in numerous ways and at the different case studies in different bank
offices ,the outcomes of the observation and the questionnaire are analysed and concrete proposals are
created for the design improvement.
In this millenial age of stress and traffic in a city, commute stress and workplace stress are the most
important factors affecting the working population all over the world.workspaces are increasingly
adding to the poor health and well being of professionals . More than 50% of the worlds population
works in some form of an office. Since office employees spend most of their time inside the buildings
which they work in,the physical environment of a workplace is important and its effects can
eventually bring down the efficiency of the workers. The ambient conditions in an open-plan office
affect the employees in a physiological as well as a psychological way (bitner, 1992). The
servicescape can either accommodate or frustrate the employees’ needs (stallworth jr and kleiner,
1996) and every employee has different needs and desires of their servicescape (bitner, 1992).
Employees respond to the servicescape cognitively, emotionally and physiologically. These responses
influence how employees behave in the open-plan office (bitner, 1992) thus, the management ought to
create a servicescape that fulfils the employees’ wants and needs. The study of their preferences and
thus their productivity is essential to improve it.
Most researchers have found significant effects of the physical environment on job satisfaction and
productivity and put the data together qualitatively, while others have used a quantitative approach for
each of the factors. A descriptive study among the factors namely colour,lighting and noise is yet to
be studied. The primary purpose of this study is to confirm a relationship between the three
observable variables and the productivity in a abank office; hence provide guidelines for the same.
The purpose of the study is to define employees’ perceptions of the different ambient conditions.
Based on the outcomes from the survey, employees’ needs and desires of the servicescape, the
ambient conditions’ characteristics, can be improved.

LITERATURE STUDY
1.THE BITNER MODEL
This model is inspired by a model by bitner (1992). The bitner model explains what factors influence
employee behaviour in an open-plan office and explores the role of the servicescape (bitner, 1992, pp.
59). The bitner model includes the physical environment (environmental dimensions), the holistic
environment, internal responses and employee behaviour. The purpose of the bitner model is to
visualize the concept of the bitner theory.

2.VEITCH AND NEWSHAM

Proposed a behaviorally-based model for lighting quality research, in which individually-based
processes mediate the relationships between luminous conditions and such behavioral outcomes as
task performance, mood, social behavior, aesthetic judgements and satisfaction. This review paper
summarizes the state of knowledge concerning mediating psychological processes: perceived
control, attention, environmental appraisal, and affect. These processes were selected because of
their relevance to the explanations often given for lighting design choices. More explicit use of
theoretically-driven predictions to guide lighting research would result in greater precision in our
comprehension of lighting-behavior relationships to form the foundation of empirically-based lighting
recommended practice.
3. SUNDSTROM(1986)-WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
In his book of environmental psychology,the different facets of the physical environment produce
varied outcomes and hence interpersonal effects on the mind and body.these facets include
noise,sound,music,temperature and illumination
4. EVANS AND JOHNS STRESS AND NOISE THEORY
Accoring to this research and paper,annoyance and stress and correlated to noise produced in the
immediate environment. Hence annoyance levels vary with the decibals of sound produced.all of this
also depends on the sources of noise.

FACTORS TO BE SURVEYED AND INCLUDED IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND

OBSERVATION TEMPLATES DERIVED FROM THE LITERATURE THEORIES

LITERATURE REVIEW:
I. EFFECT OF SELF-ADJUSTABLE MASKING NOISE ON OPEN-PLAN OFFICE
WORKERS CONCENTRATION, TASK
THIS RESEARCH PAPER TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THE NOISE MADE BY THE
MACHINES AND DEVICES THAT IF IN CONTINUATION CAN CAUSE DISTURBANCE AND
DISTRACTION IN OFFICES. THE METHODS USED WERE QUESTTIONAIRES AND OPEN
END INTERVIEWS TO REVIEW WHAT WOULD BE BEST TO HELP REDUCE MASKING
NOISES IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AND HENCE COME UP WITH SELF ADJUSTABLE
NOISE MASKING DEVICES.
RESEARCH GAP:
IT IS RECOMMENDED IN THE PAPER THAT FUTURE STUDIES WORK INTO THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF MASKING NOISE IN OPEN-PLAN OFFICES AND INCLUDE
CONSIDERATION OF THE RELEVANCE OF NEARBY CONVERSATIONS. THEY SHOULD
ALSO CONSIDER OTHER TYPES OF MASKING NOISE AND SHOULD MEASURE THE
LEVEL, DURATION OF THE MASKING NOISE AND REPRESENTATION OF OTHER
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE OFFICE WORKERS
PERFORMANCE AND ATTITUDES SUCH AS THERMAL, LIGHTING AND DESK DENSITY
2. LIGHTING UP THE OFFICE: THE EFFECT Of WALL LUMINANCE ON ROOM
APPRAISAL, OFFICE WORKERS‘ PERFORMANCE, AND SUBJECTIVE ALERTNESS
www.clscvicr.com/locatc/buildcnv
INFERENCES AND LEARNING:
IN THIS STUDY, WE HAVE EXPLORED THE FFECTS OF A SINGLE, CAREFULLY
ISOLATED LIGHTING DESIGN PARAMETER, NAMELY WALL LUMINANCE, ON THE
APPRAISAL OF AN OFFICE SPACE, THE EFFCTIVE STATE OF THE OCCUPANTS, THEIR
SUBJECTIVE ALERTNESS AND THEIR PERFORMANCE. ROOM APPRAISAL INCREASED
SIGNIFICANTLY WITH HIGHER WALL LUMINANCE, BOTH ON ATTRACTIVENESS AND
ILLUMINATION. UNEXPECTEDLY, WALL LUMINANCE DID AFFECT THE SUBJECTIVE
ALERTNESS OF THE PARTICIPANTS, WHEREAS SUBJECTIVE ALERTNESS DECREASED
SIGNIFICANTLY OVER TIME IN THE LOWEST AND MEDIUM WALL LUMINANCE
CONDITIONS.QUESTTIONAIRES AND TASK AND EGO DEPLETION SCALES WERE USED
RESEARCH GAP:
OVERALL LUMINANCE AND ILLUMINATION INCLUDING CEILING LIGHTING AND
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE SAME
3. AN OVERVIEW OF THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS
TOWARDS EMPLOYEES
www.clsevier.com/locatc/procedia
INFERENCES AND LEARNING:
THISS PAPER PRESENTS A LITERATURE REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
WHICH DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECT
EMPLOYEES WORK PERFORMANCE. SEVERAL FACTORS OF THE ENVIRONMENT SUCH
AS THE EFFECTS OF WORKPLACE DESIGN,INDOOR TEMPERATURE,COLOUR,NOISE
AND ALSO INTERIOR PLANTS TOWARDS EMPLOYEES WELL BEING AND
PERFORMANCE HAYE BEEN DISCUSSED. LITERATURE STUDY ON EACH FACTOR HAS
BEEN DONE AND DISCUSSED.
RESEARCH GAP:
COMPARISON OF FACTORS AND THE INTENSITY OF THE EFFECTS OF EACH
COMPARED TO THE OTHERS
4.LIGHTING PREFERENCE PROFILES OF USERS IN AN OPEN OFFICE
ENVIRONMENT
www.clscvicr.com/locate/buildcnv
BASED ON OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENTSAND SUBJECTIVE DATA OBTAINED IN TWO
FIELD STUDIES, USERS WERE PROFILED BASED ON THEIR BEHAVIOUR, REGARDING
CHARACTERISTICS AS ACTIVENESS, DOMINANCE, LIGHTING TOLERANCE,AND
DIMMING LEVEL PREFERENCE. THE RESULTS SHOW SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN LIGHTING PREFERENCE PROFILES OF USERS. STUDIES WITH GRAPHS WERE
ANALYSED AFTER QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPERIMENTS WERE CARRIED OUT.
RESEARCH GAP:
• LUMINATION STUDIES IN A PRIVATE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
• RATINGS AND SCALES TO QUANTIFY

• 5.THE EFFECT OF NOISE ABSORPTION VARIATION IN OPEN PLAN OFFICES:

A FIELD STUDY WITH CROSS OVER DESIGN www.elsevier.com/locate/je
• INFERENCESAND LEARNING:
• THE AIM OF THE PRESENT STUDY WAS TO INVESTIGATE IF ENHANCED OR
WORSENED SOUND ABSORPTION IN OPEN-PLAN OFFICES IS REFLECTED IN THE
EMPLOYEES' RATINGS OF DISTURBANCES, COGNITIVESTRESS, AND
PROFESSIONAL EFFICACY. EMPLOYEES WORKING ON TWO DIFFERENT
FLOORS OF AN OFFICE BUILDING WERE FOLLOWED AS THREE
MANIPULATIONS WERE MADE IN ROOM ACOUSTICS ON EACH OF THE TWO
FLOORS BY MEANS OF LESS OR MORE ABSORBING TILES &WALL
ABSORBENTS. THE RESULTS FURTHERMORE SUGGEST THAT EVEN A SMALL
DETERIORATION IN ACOUSTICAL ROOM PROPERTIES MEASURED ACCORDING
TO THE NEW ISO-STANDARD FOR OPEN-PLAN OFFICE ACOUSTICS HAS A
NEGATIVE IMPACT ON SELF-RATED HEALTH AND DISTURBANCES.BASELINE
SURVEYS WERE CONDUCTED BEFORE AND AFTER MAKING MANIPULATIONS
TO THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS AND THEN RATED ACCORDING TO SCALES
LIKE WILKS CRITERION, CHRONBACHS RATING AND ANCOVAS RATING TO
COMPARE THE INCREASE OR DECREASE IN EFFICIENCY
• RESEARCH GAP AND LIMITATIONS :
• SHORT EXPOSURE PERIOD FOR EACH CONDITION BEFORE COLLECTING THE
SURVEY DATA
• 6. EFFECTS OF VARIABLE LIGHTING INTENSITIES AND COLOUR
TEMPERATURES ON SUBJECTIVE MOOD IN AN EXPERIMENTAL OFFICE
WORKPLACE
• INFERENCES AND LEARNING:
• IN THIS STUDY, WE INVESTIGATED THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT LIGHTING
CONDITIONS (500-l 800LX, 6500K; SOOLX , 4000K) ON SUBJECTIVE MOOD IN AN
EXPERIMENTAL OFFICE ACCOMMODATION TO EVALUATE THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE DIFFERENT LIGHTING
ENVIRONMENTS ON THE STUDY PARTICIPANTS.A MOOD RATING INVENTORY
WAS APPLIED (MARSHALL ET J\L., 2004; SCHMIDT ET AL., 1995; WENIGER AND
IRLE, 2002). AMONG OTHERS, DIMENSIONS OF ACTIVITY, CONCENTRATION,
AND FATIGUE WERE DETERMINED VIA QUESTIONNAIRES. IN THE BEGINNING
AND AT THE END OF EACH DAY OF THE STUDY, THE VOLUNTEERS ANSWERED
 A QUESTIONNAIRE DIRECTED TO VALIDATE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR
MOOD STATE BY APPLYING A MOOD RATING INVENTORY.
• RESEARCH GAP AND LIMITATIONS :
• THIS STUDY THAT CANNOT BE SOLVED WITHOUT FURTHER OBSERVATIONS IS
THE FACT THAT VARIABLE LIGHTING COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE
STUDY PARTICIPANTS THEMSELVES.
• WITH RESPECT TO THE ERGONOMICAL IMPACT OF VARIABLE WORKPLACE
ILLUMINATIONS , FURTHER STUDIES ARE REQUIRED, E.G. TO ASSESS THE
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF MULTI-LEVEL TASK-LIGHTING.

• 7. LIGHTING DOES MATTER:PRELJMINARY ASSESSMENT ON OFFICE

WORKERS
• INFERENCES AND LEARNING:
• THIS STUDY AIMS IS TO FIND OUT THE EFFECTS OF WARM WHITE (WW), COOL
WHITE (CW) ON PERFORMANCES,ALERTNESS, VISUAL COMFORT AND
PREFERENCES. CCT IS FOUND TO HAVE EFFECTS ON VISUAL AND MENTAL
FATIGUE. THE RIGHT SELECTION OF CCT IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT WILL
BENEFIT ITS OCCUPANTS IN TERMS OF VISUAL COMFORT AND REDUCTION OF
DAYTIME SLEEPINESS. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THIS STUDY IS TO
DETERMINE THE VISUAL AND NON-VISUAL EFFECTS OF LIGHT COLOR
TEMPERATURE(2700K (WARM WHITE), 4000K (COOL WHITE) AND 6200K (DAY
LIGHT))AMONG OFFICE WORKERS. THIS PRELIMINARY STUDY INVOLVES
MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE OF DEPENDENT VARIABLES SUCH AS
ALERTNESS, VISUAL PERFORMANCE, TYPING AND VISUAL COMFORT ACROSS
THREE DIFFERENT CCTS, NAMELY WW, CW AND DL WITH 10
SUBJECTS.MODIFIED OFFICE LIGHTING SURVEY(OLS) WAS A MAJOR PART OF
THE METHODOLOGY PROCESS WITH LATER STAGES OF STUDY ON ALERTNESS
LEVELS AND VISUAL COMFORT LEVELS
• RESEARCH GAP AND LIMITATIONS:
• THIS STUDY HAD INCLUDED SMALL NUMBERS OF SUBJECTS FROM ONE
OFFICE SETTING ONLY, WHICH MAKES GENERALIZING THE FINDINGS
SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT. BESIDES THAT, AS WITH OTHER EXPERIMENTS ON
THE EFFECTS OF LIGHTING, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT
DOUBLE-BLINDED DESIGN. THEREFORE, IT IS UNAVOIDABLE FOR THE
RESULTS TO BE AT RISK OF BEING INFLUENCED BY THE HAWTHORNE EFFECT,
WHERE PARTICIPANTS MIGHT PERFORM OUTSTANDINGLY WELL (SOMETIMES
POORLY), AS THEY KNOW THAT THEY WERE BEING OBSERVED AND
ASSESSED.
• THEREFORE,ADVANCE STUDY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO
IDENTIFY THE OPTIMUM CCT OF LIGHT UNDER OFFICE SETTINGS, AS THE
FINDINGS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE WELLBEING OF WORKERS AND
LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THEIR PERFORMANCE THAT WILL LEAD TO HIGHER
PRODUCTIVITY
RESEARCH DESIGN

CHOICE OF STUDY AND TYPE

• The fact that the open-plan office is an office arrangement that is becoming more and more
common today made it interesting to examine their ambient conditions.
• A wide range of people can find the results useful in their daily life, for example
managements of open-plan offices.
• Employees that are taking part in the thesis receive first-hand insight on how to utilize their
space in an open-plan office to maximize comfort and efficiency.
• Case study at private bank offices in and around manipal with open plan spaces for both
observation and survey
• Size is suitable for survey and stratified samples can be collected from the bank employees

TOPIC BACKGROUND
• The employees’ behaviour is influenced by the servicescape in the open-plan office (bitner,
1992, pp. 59).
• Disruption and annoyance are sources of disturbance, often raised by employees working in
an open-plan office (chigot, 2005, pp. 162).
• Noise is one of the most annoying ambient conditions in an open-plan office (sundstrom,
1986, p. 131). The primary source of annoyance caused by noise is conversations by
coworkers (sundstrom, 1986, p. 134). Loud noise may result in physical concerns (bitner,
1992, pp. 64) and low-intensity noise may lead to physiological and motivational stress
(evans and johnson, 2000, pp. 782).
• The glare from lighting may decrease the ability to see and it can also be the cause of physical
pain (bitner, 1992, pp. 64).
• The importance of colour in an open-plan office is one of the least understood conditions in
the servicescape. The colours blue and green are associated with cool temperatures and open-
plan offices with light colours are perceived larger or more open than open-plan offices with
dark colours (sundstrom, 1986, p. 179).
AIM AND OBJECTIVES

HYPOTHESIS:
How the three important ambient factors in a workplace; colour,lighting and noise affect employee
productivity in open plan offices

AIM OF THE RESEARCH:

To investigate the effects of the three most important factors in a built environment: colour, lighting
and noise for an office environment and workspace and develop design guidelines

OBJECTIVES
• Use questionnaires and observation methods to analyse each of the factors qualitatively
• Data will be synthesised to establish correlation and thus come to a conclusion
• Develop design guidelines for an open plan office space using the results
METHODOLOGY
1.LITERATURE SURVEY:
Secondary data will be reviewed initially through information sources using books,internet and
conference papers. To aid the search,a table of key terms for each of the factors will be constructed
and the data correlated with these terms will be added to get another perspective of the three factors
2.DATA COLLECTION AND OBSERVATION
The field study has to be conducted across 1-2 bank office buildings which have been randomly
selected. Types of offices in the sample being in the open plan category to gather primary source data.
The survey will collect qualitative data for each of the factors and their subfactors.
3.PERCEIVED CLOSED ENDED QUESTIONNAIRE
4.ANALYSIS FROM BOTH OBSERVATION AND QUESTIONNAIRE
5.GUIDELINES AND PROPOSAL
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:
• The study on these three factors can help synthesise comparisons and then choose the most
effective one for the designing of workspaces and environment and creating design guidelines
• Ambient conditions:colour,lighting and noise are tangible and make research easy to
comprehend as well as improve at a later stage
• Double blinded design is difficult to implement with colour and lighting surveys and
questionnaire because of biases on both sides
• No dimensions of the layouts included due to shortage of time and resources

COLLECTING DATA:
Primary sources
There are two parts of the primary sources that constitute the empirical framework. One of the parts of
the primary sources that have been used is the answers from our questionnaires submitted by the
employees. The other part of the empirical framework is the observation that was conducted during
the one day visit to the ICICI bank office in Manipal.To derive results from this deduced study of the
factors in an open plan office,a large amount of data gathering that is random is required to conclude
and come up with guidelines.The initial observation gives an insight to the already existing
perceptions and conditions thus helping with the making of the questionnaire and reducing bias from
the surveyor

Design of the Questionnaire and the Observation Template

The Questionnaire

Structure
Questionnaires are self administrated: the respondents read the questions and fill them out by
themselves. All respondents receive the same questions. The advantages with the data collection
method via questionnaires are that the choices of variables may be reduced to what the researchers
evaluate as current for the research or survey. The advantages that come with closed questions are:
they facilitate the interview procedure due to the fact that no attendance of the researchers is required,
the questions are easy to understand given that the closed answers serves in an explaining way and
finally, the possibility to compare given answers between different respondents increases. The
questionnaire used is designed in a well-structured way, based on the theories about the ambient
conditions in the Theoretical Framework, in order to make it easy and logical. No academic words are
used such as servicescape or ambient conditions due to the fact that these words are not commonly
used in daily conversations. The questions in the questionnaire are developed on the basis of the
Theoretical Framework. In the introduction in the Theoretical Framework, information about open-
plan offices is given to serve as an introduction on the subject. Hence, the questions in the
questionnaire are based on the later part of the Theoretical Framework where the four theories are
introduced: the Bitner Model, theories compiled by Sundstrom (1986), Evans and Johnson’s Stress
and Low-Intensity Noise and Newsham and Veitch. The first two questions of the questionnaire are
about the employees’ age and sex. Rating questions are the kind of questions we have consistently
used in the questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of 15 questions that have closed answer
alternatives.

The Observation Template

The observation conducted at ICICI’s open-plan office was based on an observation template in order
to uphold a structured observation and to focus on the attributes of the ambient conditions of the
servicescape. The observation template also serves as a visual to the reader of what the focus has been
during the observation.The focus is to observe the ambient conditions in the open-plan office and the
employees’ behaviour and the observation template served as guidance to uphold this clear focus.A
series of open ended questions with layout drawings and plans help get maximum perception study
from the observant.Open ended questions allow for analysis and data collection in an organic manner
thus helping in gathering of data for questionnaire
The observation, the layout and inferences and the outcomes of the questionnaire, serve as a base for
the Empirical Framework. The observation was conducted at ICICI’s open-plan office during the day
of. When conducting the observation, the starting point is an observation template that has been
developed based on the Theoretical Framework. The layout is a facsimile of the design in the open-
plan office at ICICI.

The Observation
The open -plan office at ICICI is a ground plus first floor structure divided into various spaces
according to functionality and work. One part of the big premise faces a big road and the other part of
the big premise faces a courtyard/parking lot. There are 6-10 windows in the building. On the ground
floor is the copy machine room where there is constant noise interruption which cannot be controlled
by the employees. There are minimal doors in the open-plan office at ICICI but the copy machine
room has one. The ground floor has approximately 7 workstations and 8 employees at a time while
the first floor has only about 4 workstations and lesser employees. The workspaces are connected to
each other without any form of barriers or spacings. There is a meeting and private room which is
enclosed for private discussions but is only used by the manager and guests.. There are windows
concentrated on one side of the bank office and these are fairly high and wide . This creates minimal
natural light in the open-plan office. Many of the employees choose to sit down at their workstations
and do not adjust their work position habitually. The employees have the possibility to stand at their
workstations but only one of the employees is currently doing this. The office normal tiles which do
not help in noise reduction of footsteps and movement of chairs. Because banks have constant inflow
of people throughout the day , the employees are coming and leaving the office at different times
every day. Therefore, the tiles and no carpeting does not help at all.. The overall colour scale in the
open-plan office is light colours.

Noise
Outside noise is not noticeably audible from inside the open-plan office because the windows are
carefully insulated. The employees’ work phones are not stationary which opens up the possibility for
the employees to leave the room when conducting a phone call, which some of the employees do.
There are many sources of low-intensity noise in the open-plan office.. Many of the employees and
bank customers talk to each other with a high and clear voice. Other sources of low-intensity noise in
the open-plan office are employees’ typing on typing boards, co-workers’ chat and buzzing from the
ventilation system and the copy machine room. The employees potentially do not have the option of
using a quiet area if necessary.

Lighting
There are fairly minimum windows in the open-plan office and every window has Venetian blinds
that are adjustable. . The computer screens are adjustable as well as the employees’ chairs.Rectangular
lighting fixtures are in place with the workstations and are good in number except for the fact that the
lighting is dim and soft and that most of the fixtures do not work.The employees cannot have
individual controls over the lighting as it affects the entire space.. There are no adjustable desk lamps
by the employees’ workstations. All of the windows at the office have natural light from outside.

Colour
The colours of the walls in the open-plan office are light colours such as white and light green. The
ceiling is white and the floor is a light gray. . The workstations are made of lighter hued wood. The
comprehensive perception of the open-plan office is that it is an office with light colours.

The Layout
The layout is an exact facsimile of the open-plan office at ICICI. The purpose of including the layout
in the Empirical Framework is to present a comprehensive image of the open-plan office described in
the observation
Analysis of the Observation

Noise

Low-Intensity Noise
Working in an open-plan office with low-intensity noise compared to working in a quiet open-plan
office has been proven to result in diminished motivation among employees’ work performance
(Evans and Johnson, 2000). Sources of low-intensity noise in the open plan office were co-workers’
chat, employees’ typing on keyboards and the buzzing from the copy machine room and the
ventilation system. Effects that can occur when working in an open-plan office with constant low-
intensity noise are that employees’ perceived capacity to maintain focus on tasks decreases, the level
of work performance declines and the employees are likely to make fewer ergonomic postural
adjustments at their workstations (Evans and Johnson, 2000). Employees that suffer from
performance deficits caused by low-intensity noise often become stressed out because they are not
performing as well as they are capable of. The servicescape’s impact on its employees may lead to
financial consequences for the company (Veitch et al., 2004). These consequences affirm the
importance of keeping the surrounding low-intensity noise in the open-plan office as low as possible.
The need for quiet areas among employees in open-plan offices are eventually increasing due to the
fact that employees’ routine work becomes more and more automated and an increased time is spent
on technical and demanding tasks.This is one of the most important factors missing in the design of
the bank office

Lighting
Glare
Due to the windows in the open-plan office the potential risk of glare is high but solved by the
adjustable Venetian blinds and curtains. Currently there is very little risk for employees as the
windows are equipped with curtains and adjustable Venetian blinds. . The fluorescent lamps at the
office may create glare on the computer screens but this problem is easily solved as fluorescent lamps
are easy to maintain, by either turning on or off.

Natural Light
The advantages of windows are not only the variety of light they create but also the variety of view
that they offer, and these characteristics of a window with a variety of view are generally desired by
employees (Sundstrom, 1986). It is obvious that the employees prefer the natural light that windows
create based on the observation interview that was conducted.. The employees’ preference for sitting
by the windows may depend on a number of reasons. Perhaps the view to the outside world
(Sundstrom, 1986), or that one’s ability to cope with stressful situations increases with natural light
(Veitch et al., 2004) are the factors behind the employees choosing a workstation located by a
window.

FLUOROSCENT LAMPS
Above every workstation in the open-plan office there is a fluorescent rectangular fixture on the
ceiling.. The intensity of lighting is not adjustable but the employee does have the possibility to turn it
on or off. Task lighting provided by overhead lights, such as the fluorescent lamps, may cause
problems in the open-plan office. More preferable are adjustable desk lamps that provide a direct light
towards the writing desk where the employee is working. Aside from creating direct light and the
possibility to modify the intensity of light, an adjustable desk lamp can also reduce the risk of glare
(Sundstrom, 1986).

Colour
The colours of the open-plan office are light colours such as white and light green. The colour green is
associated with feelings such as being calm and peaceful (Sundstrom, 1986, p. 183). The colours
white and light green colours are very well chosen for an open-plan office based on the theory that
employees are likely to prefer milder tones and lighter colours. The colours of green and blue are
associated with cool temperatures and open-plan offices with light colours are perceived as larger than
an open-plan office with dark colours (Sundstrom, 1986, p. 179).
Annexure

Questionnaire format

1. Age of the employee

2. Gender

3. Number of work years spent at the workspace

a.1-2
b.2-4
c.5-10
d.more than 10

4. Satisfaction rating with the workspace in relation to noise disturbances

a.very high
b.high
c.low
d.very low

5. Satisfaction rating with the workspace in relation to overall lighting

a.very high
b.high
c.low
d.very low

6. What kind of lighting would you prefer for maximum comfort at the workspace
a.Natural lighting
b.Only artificial but automated
c.A balanced mix of artificial and natural
d.Only artificial with manual controls

7. Is glare while using computers a major source of annoyance

a.No
b.Yes

8. Which of the 3 factors in combination would you choose to remodel in your workspace
a.Colour and lighting
b.Lighting and noise
c.Noise and colour
 9. What is the most disturbing factor related to loud noise
a.Co-workers chat
b.Machines and computer typing
c.Ventilation system buzzing
d.Telephone conversations

10. Has renovation and change of paint colours in the office affected your work in any way
a.Yes
b.No

11. What kind of tones would you prefer in the workspace

12. Are quiet and private spaces important in any workplace

a.Yes
b.No

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