Do active design buildings change health behaviour and workplace perceptions?

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• New active design office buildings offer opportunities to study indoor environment impacts on health behaviors.
• Evaluating changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and workplace perceptions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of relocating to a health-promoting building on workplace physical activity.
• To determine changes in sedentary behavior, workplace perceptions, and productivity post-relocation.

Main Methods:

• Participants from the University of Sydney relocated to a new active design building.
• Online questionnaires assessed health behaviors, musculoskeletal issues, and perceptions before and after the move.

Main Results:

• Workplace sitting time decreased significantly (83% to 70%), while standing time increased (9% to 21%).
• Participants reported reduced low back pain; however, perceptions varied, with the new environment seen as noisier and offering less storage.
• No significant changes were observed in daily physical activity, stair climbing, or productivity.

Conclusions:

• Relocation to an active design building demonstrated physical health benefits for workers.
• Worker perceptions of the new environment were mixed, indicating a need for further research in diverse settings.