Why Outdoor Spaces Matter for Offices?
In the modern workplace, outdoor spaces are more than a “nice extra.”
Research shows they can play a significant role in employee well‑being, cognitive performance and organisational success.
As workplaces evolve beyond traditional open‑plan offices, the outdoor environment is emerging as a key contributor to health, creativity and productivity.
A range of studies has shown that contact with natural settings, including workplace outdoor spaces are linked to reduced stress and better psychological health.
When employees take breaks in green outdoor environments rather than indoors, their stress levels drop significantly and their overall quality of life improves.
How do outdoor spaces help?
Even short breaks outdoors (as little as 10–15 minutes) can improve concentration and working memory compared to remaining inside, where artificial lighting and static environments dominate.
Outdoor or green work environments also support attention restoration theory, which argues that natural settings help restore cognitive resources by providing gentle “soft fascination” that allows the mind to recover from intense focus.
Employees with access to green outdoor spaces, whether a courtyard, rooftop terrace, or landscaped garden consistently report higher levels of well‑being.
Research from workplace settings indicates that both use and views of greenspace are independently linked with improved self‑reported well‑being levels, even when controlling for other factors.
Outdoor Breaks and Cognitive Performance
Several studies have explored how time spent outdoors affects work outcomes like attention, creativity and problem‑solving.
Employees engaged in outdoor work tasks or regular outdoor breaks show improvements in these areas, suggesting that outdoor settings can complement traditional office interiors rather than simply functioning as leisure zones.
Beyond psychological benefits, research into green exercise; physical activity in natural environments consistently finds reduced stress, improved coping mechanisms and better concentration compared to similar activities in urban indoor settings.
Exposure to natural elements also influences physical health. Studies show time outdoors reduces blood pressure and resting heart rate, and can enhance cardiovascular health even with relatively brief exposure during the workday.
Why This Matters for Businesses?
For employers, supporting outdoor spaces isn’t just a perk, it can also be a strategic asset:
* Reduced stress and burnout, leading to lower absenteeism
* Enhanced focus and productivity
* Greater creativity and problem‑solving capacity
* More supportive work environments that attract and retain talent
Outdoor spaces help organisations meet broader goals around employee well‑being and performance while aligning with modern workplace design trends that prioritise flexibility and human‑centric environments.
Conclusion
The evidence is clear: outdoor office spaces aren’t symbolic extras.
They provide measurable benefits for employee health, cognitive function and organisational outcomes.
Whether it’s a landscaped courtyard, accessible gardening space, rooftop terrace or simply an area where employees can step outside and breathe fresh air, outdoor environments should be considered an essential part of thoughtful workplace design.
At BGF&I we are happy to discuss your requirements or look at planning an outdoor space that can deliver an area for your staff to utilise. To get in touch, please call 01865 920220 or email sales@bgfi.co.uk
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