How space can become an ally of psychological well-being at work – a study that also speaks to our MeM method.

The design of work environments is increasingly at the center of the debate on health, productivity, and quality of life. But while investment in sustainable materials, smart technologies, and flexible furnishings is growing, one crucial element continues to be missing from many projects: attention to people’s psychological experience.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Forooraghi, Garvin, Miedema, 2021) clearly addressed this issue, offering a reflection that closely concerns us as designers, consultants, and innovators of space.

Credits Pexels – Edmond Dantès

Sense of Coherence: the hidden compass of design

The study analyzed a corporate work environment designed according to criteria that aim not only at efficiency but also at people’s quality of life. At the heart of the investigation is a key concept in environmental psychology: the Sense of Coherence (SOC).

Developed by scholar Aaron Antonovsky, SOC describes how people perceive the world around them—including physical environments—and is based on three fundamental dimensions:

• Comprehensibility: a space is comprehensible when it is legible, clear, and orientable. A disordered layout or one lacking spatial logic generates disorientation and frustration, while a well-organized environment communicates security and facilitates autonomy.

“Can I orient myself, understand the spatial logic?”

• Manageability: a space is manageable when it allows those who live in it to interact with it smoothly. Adjustable devices, accessible routes, adaptable workstations: anything that offers personal control reduces feelings of helplessness and increases self-efficacy.

“Is it an easy-to-use, accessible space that gives me control?”

• Meaningfulness: a space is meaningful when it speaks to the values, identity, and emotions of the individual. It is not just about decoration, but about emotional recognition and a sense of belonging. A meaningful space is a space in which it is “worthwhile” to be.

“Is it a space that represents me, that has value for me?”

Applying SOC in architecture and interior design means designing spaces that not only function, but also make people feel oriented, capable, and welcomed.

In the MeM method, Sense of Coherence is a real design compass: we use it to read the current state of an environment, co-design with users through dedicated tools (such as “Listen to the Senses” or “The Room of Desires”), and guide choices on lighting, materials, colors, and zoning.

Whether it’s an office, a retail space, or a community center, SOC helps us answer a fundamental question:

“How will a person really feel here?”

And if the answer is: oriented, capable, and engaged… then we are heading in the right direction. The more a space meets these three conditions, the more it reduces stress, increases engagement, and promotes psychological well-being.

Credits Pexels – Kindel Media

Not just open space: the value of micro-zones

The space analyzed in this case study was organized according to a hybrid logic, combining open spaces, collaborative zones, individual workstations, and areas for breaks and informal interaction. This is a seemingly common configuration in contemporary projects, but in this case, it was managed with particular awareness.

What made the difference was the quality of the experience within each zone. Each area, while part of a fluid whole, was designed to offer a specific psychological function: concentration, decompression, creative stimulation, or socializing.

What emerges strongly is that the ability to choose, to move from one space to another based on one’s mental state or the activity to be performed, generates a powerful sense of autonomy and control. This is a central value in wellness-oriented design because it reduces decision fatigue, increases the sense of agency, and improves the relationship with the work environment.

Furthermore, well-defined micro-zones—through the use of furnishings, natural elements, color differences, or simple spatial devices—offer a perceptual rhythm to the space: not everything is “open” or “closed,” but there is a gradation between exposure and protection, between stimulation and containment.

This type of configuration also promotes more effective emotional management: I can isolate myself to concentrate, but also expose myself to relationships when I want to. I can feel part of a community without giving up spaces where I can gather my thoughts, regenerate, or simply breathe.

In work environments—but also in retail, libraries, schools, or community spaces—these design choices represent a concrete way to apply environmental psychology: shaping diverse and adaptive experiences that respond to the complexity of human behavior.

The parameters of well-being applied

To translate the principles of environmental psychology into concrete design choices, the study integrated a series of key environmental parameters capable of directly affecting the perceptual, cognitive, and emotional well-being of users:

• Natural light: large windows and light screens that ensure visual comfort and circadian regulation.

• Acoustics: sound-absorbing materials discreetly and effectively integrated to reduce noise and promote concentration.

• Color: soft, unsaturated color palettes designed to reduce fatigue and create a reassuring atmosphere.

• Thermal comfort: individual temperature control to respond to different physiological sensitivities.

• Ergonomics and movement: flexible furnishings, variable workstations, and decompression areas that encourage mobility and postural well-being.

• Perceptual privacy: separate micro-zones, vegetation, filtering furnishings, and tactile materials to create spaces of protection and gathering.

• Multisensory: harmonious combination of light, texture, sound, and greenery to stimulate the senses without overloading them.

• Meaning: narrative elements, customization options, evocative materials that generate a sense of belonging and emotional value.

Credits Pexels – Tien Nguyen

And the results? Measurable.

The study found that workers who perceived the space as consistent with the principles of Sense of Coherence (SOC) reported tangible effects on their daily well-being. In particular, three main benefits emerged:

• reduced levels of perceived stress

• increased motivation and mental energy

• greater sense of belonging and meaning linked to the workspace

These results confirm a principle that we at MeM consider fundamental: the subjective perception of space is as important as its technical performance.

In other words, it is not enough to guarantee 3,000 lumens of light or an excellent sound absorption coefficient if people do not really feel at home, welcomed, and oriented.

A space can be impeccable in terms of performance and at the same time be emotionally repellent or cognitively tiring.

This is where environmental psychology makes the difference: it helps to design not only what is visible and measurable, but also what is experienced. And often, it is the latter dimension that determines the real success of an environment.

What does this teach us about MeM projects?

As the MeM team, we see this study as confirmation of our approach: working on the perception, relationship, and emotional quality of space.That’s why in our projects:

• We use Sense of Coherence as a co-design tool with teams and users.

• We work on integrated multisensory experiences: light, texture, nature, acoustics → see our tool “Listen to the Senses”.

• We create flexible areas with a distinct identity, even in retail or public spaces.

• We design spaces that are also emotionally and cognitively accessible, providing guidance and reassurance.

• We select regenerative colors and materials, supported by operational data sheets, scientific studies, and perceptual maps.

It is not enough to design well. You need to design “with”…

This case study reminds us that space is always a relational, emotional, sensory environment. And any designer, architect, or organization that truly wants to create value cannot ignore the psychological point of view.

The MeM method was created precisely for this reason: to integrate environmental psychology, color, and nature, and translate them into operational tools for designing environments that not only work but are also good for you.

Because true innovation starts with the quality of the experience. And experience can be designed. If you want to integrate these principles into your spaces—whether they are offices, public spaces, or retail environments contact us. Or explore our training courses and tools that are ready to be used in your studio.

Environmental psychology is not an opinion. It is science applied to design.

This article is inspired by the research project “How Does O8ice Design Support Employees’ Health?” by Forooraghi, Garvin, and Miedema, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021). The full study is available at the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/23/12779