Natural Workspace

There is a growing demand for design guidelines for stress-reducing workplaces. So too in education: there is insufficient attention to the environment when we talk about reducing work stress. This is a shame: burnout in this sector is above average (24% in education, compared to 17% on average in the Netherlands). Obviously, the nature of the job is the main cause of teachers' experience of high workload, but the work environment is also an important factor. This is why the 'Natural Workspace' project was created. In this project, a search was conducted for work environments that reduce stress.

Result
In the end, two "Natural Workspaces" were created. In both environments, the teacher is surrounded by nature, and is guided with the Pomodoro Time Management method (= it supports 25 minutes of focus and concentration, after which one takes a 5-minute break).

Natural Workspace 1: Forest
A work environment in the shape of a forest. Includes elements of nature: the sound of rustling plants, a stream of life to a bird's nest, forest sounds and a butterfly fluttering overhead.

Natural Workspace 2: Sea
A work environment in the shape of the sea/beach. Sea views and the sound of waves. The rhythm of the waves follows the teacher's breathing. Thus, the teacher's breathing is unconsciously corrected.

In both cases, the user's attention is drawn to nature, and is told in a relaxing way when the teacher/user should take a break.