The University of Sydney, in conjunction with Southern Cross University and global interior design firm Cachet Group, will commence a collaborative research project to assess the impact of activity-based working in Australian offices. The 12-month pilot study will be the first of its kind in the country and will examine how activity-based office designs affect worker productivity and wellbeing. The study is just one component of broader, continuing research led by University of Sydney, geared at examining modern office design in Australia.

Spearheading the project is Dr Christhina Candido, from University of Sydney, who runs the Building Occupant Survey System (BOSSA) in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, dedicated to understanding the impact of indoor environments on occupant satisfaction, health and productivity.

“The study involves a series of field experiments in a range of contemporary offices in Sydney that feature and encourage an activity-based work environment. Wearable technology and novel analytical software developed by Southern Cross University and the University of Sydney will be used to capture and analyse the cognitive responses of workers in a variety of work spaces,” says Dr Candido.

Because people spend a significant portion of their life indoors at work, the interior office environment and accompanying workspaces has the incredible potential to save millions of dollars on health and productivity-related issues.

Numerous Cachet-designed contemporary offices will carry out the study with the potential to eventually be conducted all across Australia. Cachet Group has already designed and delivered multiple activity-based workplaces and is gaining expressions of interest from Australian businesses who are interested in participating.

“The novel methodology developed for this study is aimed at quantifying the nexus between workspace design and worker productivity and health,” says Dr Candido.

The University of Sydney anticipates releasing findings of the study in 12-18 months. Interested companies are encouraged to contact Rowan Hamman, Managing Director of Cachet Group via rowanhamman@cachetgroup.com.

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Photography Adam Crews Imagery