The relative benefits of green versus lean office space: Three field experiments

What the study found

Across three field experiments, offices enriched with plants produced better outcomes than lean offices on perceived air quality, concentration, workplace satisfaction and objective productivity. Two of the experiments tracked effects over subsequent weeks and months.

Limitations

Plants were the only manipulation, so the comparison is green versus bare, not green versus other enrichment. Sample sizes not extracted.

Neurodesign interpretation

One of few office studies following people beyond a single session, which matters for any claim about lasting effects.

Possible design implications

Office plants are a low-cost intervention with field evidence over months.

Study design

Three field experiments, two following outcomes over weeks and months

Population

Workers in large commercial offices in the Netherlands and the UK. Sample: not extracted.

Setting

Commercial offices

Field

Workplace design, Biophilia + restoration

Mechanism

Directed-attention fatigue / restoration

Spatial variable

Indoor vegetation

Keywords

plants, lean office, field experiment, longitudinal, productivity

Notes and follow-up

Related records: ND-0158.