Whether at work or not, people spend a lot of time staring into computer screens. But, we still need to be around other people; and we need to leave our chairs. Wellness in the workplace starts with incentives to be more active—with options such as adjustable sit/stand desks that can be raised to a standing position for typing or taking part in a conference call.

For the St. Louis County Virginia Government Services Center, we applied “active design guidelines” to improve the daily well-being of employees and the public they serve. Developed by the American Institute of Architects, the guidelines call for circulation spaces such as light-filled stairways and hallways that encourage people to get up and move around, to use the stairs instead of the elevator, to have an impromptu meeting on the landing.

DSGW grouped the offices at the center to allow a circulation path around the entire building where everyone can walk and have access to daylight and view of the outdoors.

For many public buildings, there area real advantages in moving private offices away from the window.. While moving around the corridor loop, people can pause or find a seat to absorb the sunlight on a January day. Nobody gets a favored window office, but everyone shares pleasant spaces with transparent partitions that draw daylight and outdoor views deep inside.

DSGW also designed small break-out areas with comfortable chairs and tables where people can take their work or talk together. Wellness at work calls for such quiet spaces—rooms to take a private phone call, for meditation, or to have a conversation with a friend. These retreats within the office are and essential part of the social balance of a healthy indoor workspace.