Health and Wellbeing is an emerging concern through which interior designers can participate in the movement of sustainability and potentially contribute positively to the health and well being of those exposed to building interiors. The discipline’s specific focus on occupants’ experience allows for design solutions that enhance physical health and mental wellbeing within a built environment.
Studies demonstrate that office design tailored to its occupants wants and needs stimulate not only health, but also work satisfaction and productivity.
 

Recent and growing interest in how indoor environments impact on people has resulted in the advent of assessment systems certificates, standards and guidelines allowing for the measurement of aspects of the design against set performance benchmarks. WELL, Fitwel and the BCO Roadmap for instance provide a framework, to support interior designers aiming to focus on human health and wellness in their designs.
 

However, it is arguable if these can justify the right to claim whether a building is ‘healthy’ or not. This study demonstrates that there exists awareness of wellness, but also a lack of confidence as to how to fully implement it in interior design. Through analysing the development of the office, interior design discipline and its education, it has been observed that the design of the office is in a transitional stage, one where interior designers are not yet equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to confront these changes.
 

The future may see the office as we know it change or even disappear due to new office typologies, styles of work and workers’ demands. Additionally issues of sustainability and climate change create an obligation more than a voluntary act. This study suggests that Interior designers should lead this change rather than simply keeping pace. As a first step along this road a guide for the ‘Office Wellness Journey’ has been compiled, to potentially help designers consistently implement this philosophy in their profession.