The Wellness Theory Team recently interviewed Freddie Pullen, the co-founder of Studio New, an award-winning interior design company specializing in holistic design. His team are greatly passionate about transforming environments to support our overall wellness as human beings.

We all spend a considerable amount of our time in physical spaces, whether it's at home or work. 

We might not always be aware of it, but our environment has a profound impact on our overall wellbeing and productivity. A poorly designed environment can have adverse effects on our mood, energy levels, and even our health. On the other hand, a well-designed environment can boost our creativity, energy, and productivity. In this blog post, we'll explore the insights of Studio Nu's co-founder, Freddie Pullen, on the importance of creating a healthy and productive environment to optimize wellbeing and performance.

Continue Reading or Watch the video on Youtube here.

Freddie Pullen’s Journey

His professional journey has been diverse, with a background in the FTSE 100 companies M&A, where he was responsible for integrating large-scale businesses. During this time, he realized the crucial importance of employee happiness and well-being in ensuring a successful transition. He firmly believes that if half of the employees can find happiness within the first one to three months, it sets the stage for long-term success, far surpassing the impact of striving for 100% happiness within nine to 12 months.

This realization ignited Freddie's passion for people and their well-being. As Richard Branson once said, "If you look after your staff, they'll look after your customers." With this principle in mind, he embarked on a new venture centered on interior design. However, it is important to note that Freddie does not identify as just an interior designer; rather, he focuses on creating bespoke solutions that reflect what he calls the Keeler concept.

Why Environment Dictates Performance

‘’You can actually make work environments happier and healthier, even in a short space of time.’’ -Freddie

Studio Nu extends beyond the mere tick-box exercise of corporate wellness. Instead, they dive deeply into understanding a company's management style, team dynamics, and future aspirations. This comprehensive understanding allows them to tailor their solutions and prioritize the well-being of employees.

He emphasized that creating a supportive environment is pivotal, even in the face of alarming statistics. 

Research conducted by Cigna revealed that 50% of the respondents expressed their intention to quit their jobs within the next 12 months. What is even more concerning is that four out of five individuals who threatened to leave followed through with their decisions. 

This highlights the need for organizations to address the well-being of their workforce and invest in meaningful solutions.

Physical spaces play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent. By creating environments that prioritize well-being, businesses can foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and satisfaction among employees. The concept of minimalism, combined with scientific research, forms the foundation of Studio New's commitment to transforming spaces and positively affecting people's lives.

Why Physical Workspace Play a Significant Role in Well-being

We know this from our homes. There are small things that can annoy you and add stress to your life if you do not pay attention to the environment. The same applies to workplaces. It is not just about management or workload; the physical workspace plays a significant role in well-being.

Therefore, finding a middle ground and creating synergy between the individual's needs and the company's needs is crucial. Some people cannot wait to return to the office and thrive in a collaborative environment, while others enjoy the flexibility of working from home and appreciate the lack of commute. Bridging this gap requires companies to adapt to and provide a work environment that accommodates different preferences.

The environment is indeed a gateway to creating this balance. It has the power to influence how someone feels and performs their job. Consider the example of traditional cubicles versus modern open offices. The former may induce stress and hinder productivity for individuals who prefer more collaborative and open workspaces. Recognizing and addressing these factors can lead to significant differences in employee well-being.

Stress can manifest even in a positive work environment if certain environmental factors are not considered. 

Therefore, individuals need to take ownership of their workspace and make small adjustments that contribute to their well-being. Conducting personal audits of your desk and surroundings, such as using a standing desk, organizing your space, optimizing lighting, and considering ergonomic factors, can positively impact productivity and overall happiness at work.

Simultaneously, companies should play an active role in creating a conducive work environment. Office managers and senior management should prioritize the well-being of their employees and regularly assess the workspace to ensure that it aligns with their needs. Employees have a voice and advocate for changes that promote wellness and productivity. When a company shows a genuine commitment to employee well-being, it creates a positive feedback loop that benefits both the individual and the organization as a whole.

Ultimately, the office or work environment is not just a physical space, but a catalyst for human interaction, productivity, and happiness. It holds the immense power to shape our experiences and should be thoughtfully designed and maintained to support employee well-being and success.

The Value of Creating an Empowering Culture 

The goal is to create a culture in which employees feel supported, motivated, and empowered to perform at their best. We demonstrate the long-term value of investing in employee well-being and show that it is not just a one-time fix, but a sustainable strategy for success.

For productivity, we examine the specific metrics related to the company's output or sales. By improving employee well-being, we aim to enhance their performance and productivity, which directly translates into better business results.

In terms of employee attrition, we measured the turnover rate and calculated the cost savings resulting from reducing it. Retaining employees not only saves money in recruitment and training but also contributes to a more stable and engaged workforce.

Stress levels are often measured through employee engagement surveys, which include questions related to well-being and stress. By analyzing the data and comparing them before and after our interventions, we can assess the impact of reducing stress levels within the organization.

Thus, by working closely with companies, tracking the data, and continuously improving our approach, we can provide proof of the positive impact on employee well-being and organizational performance.

Striking a Balance between Employee Wellness and Productivity.

While providing wellness perks such as sleeping pods, special lattes, or recreational facilities may be great for employee well-being, they must be accompanied by a productivity curve. 

Overindulgence and excessive relaxation can diminish returns in terms of productivity. Finding an affordable and focused design package that addresses the specific needs of a company and yields proven returns is crucial.

Designing an office requires cohesiveness, considering the different roles, preferences, and needs of employees. Open-plan offices can be disruptive if not thoughtfully designed, with desks obstructing walkways and constant distractions. Acupuncture boards for relaxation may have good intentions. However, if placed in the middle of a stressful office, they can be counterproductive.

The Studio Nu team shared a great example: an office in which the finance team, who needed silence to work effectively, was seated in the middle of an open office space. Their productivity suffered and the stress increased because the design did not consider their needs. It is important to involve employees in the design process and create spaces that allow for functionality and meet their requirements, without necessarily customizing each office for every individual.

Why Good Environments Reduce Stress

We all have things in our homes that stress us out, like a curled-up carpet or constantly bumping our legs on a table. These small stressors can be added. In the workplace, we often encounter mental haze, which is the result of many things occurring simultaneously. Many offices try to incorporate trendy patterns, but this can contribute to mental haze and negatively impact employees.

Freddie went on to share that creating a good environment involves considering elements such as sound, light, balance, and functionality. A minimalist approach can be effective in reducing stress, but this doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone. It can include features such as white walls, natural materials, clean lines, and focus on functionality rather than following passing trends. The goal is to create a space that works best for each individual and that promotes cohesion and functionality.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, we might not even realize the negative impact our environment is having on us. It's essential to recognize when it's time to change our environment. Signs such as feeling stressed or anxious, feeling uninspired or unmotivated, or experiencing physical symptoms like headaches or eye strain can all indicate that our environment is affecting us negatively. 

Our physical environment has a significant impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. A poorly designed environment can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. In contrast, a well-designed environment can reduce stress and promote happiness. 

The first step in creating a healthy and productive environment is understanding how physical spaces impact us. 

Our environment has a direct impact on our emotions, behavior, and overall well being. It's essential to create an environment that caters to our needs, whether it's a peaceful retreat or a productive workspace. 

Access the full interview for free:

Watch via YouTube

Listen via Podcast

Find out how to get the most out of your employee wellbeing programmes by Taking the Optimising Workplace Wellbeing Scorecard.

This Scorecard has been developed to show organisations how to optimise wellness initiatives in this ever-changing landscape and provide instant, actionable steps on how to use strategic wellness programmes to: 

• Enhance Performance
• Build Sustainable Profit
• Improve Employee Wellbeing at Every Level 
• Create Meaningful Engagement

It's quick, free and you'll receive customised results instantly revealing how to optimise your well-being programs. 

Find out more about Freddie here.

⁠⁠⁠www.thewellnesstheory.com

Much love and wellness,

Charlotte and Jonathan