Motti – indoor environment and wellbeing in offices

We produce scientific research data on the physical conditions of offices

Duration of the project

1.3.2020 – 30.6.2024

Source of funding

Innovation Funding Centre Business Finland

Objective. Activity-based offices have become a common space solution in Finland. Their functionality has been studied surprisingly little using multidisciplinary methods. The aim of the project was to create research data on modern offices, their physical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the well-being of employees, which promotes the export business of Finnish companies and is based on scientific research. In this project, physical conditions refer to, among other things, acoustics, thermal conditions, space efficiency and the layout functionality of the premises. Well-being, on the other hand, refers to environmental satisfaction, stress, work efficiency, peace of mind, and the match between office layout and work.

Content. The project included a global survey of 85,000 office workers, five workplace change studies in Finnish offices, and ten psychological laboratory experiments. The project was implemented in the form of eight different work packages. Their results are summarized in this final report. Detailed results are presented in more than 30 publications, which are listed in List of publications.

Results. A global survey showed that thermal conditions and noise are the biggest indoor environmental problems in offices. According to a laboratory experiment, thermal conditions can be improved, for example, by bringing more fresh air to the workstation without it being perceived as a harmful draught. Another laboratory experiment showed that thermal comfort depends not only on temperature, but also on eating, clothing and exercise. These choices can explain why people experience thermal conditions differently in the same space. The global survey also showed that dissatisfaction with noise is linked to the perceived suitability of the workspace. Office noise has a variety of adverse effects on people, such as stress and decreased work efficiency. Laboratory tests showed that high-quality room acoustic solutions and sound-insulating office cubicles can clearly reduce the harmful effects of noise. Finally, a change in the premises implemented in one office showed that a acoustic furbishment that met the needs of the personnel improved job satisfaction. Higher job satisfaction is known to indicate better work ability and performance in the organization. Solving work environmental problems can increase the personnel’s trust in the management’s operations.

Implementers. The MOTTI project was carried out by the Built Environment Research Group of Turku University of Applied Sciences in 2020–2024. The main funder of the project was Business Finland (Dno 2682/31/2019). Other financiers were Turku University of Applied Sciences, the Ministry of the Environment and 8 companies (Audico Systems Oy, Framery Oy, Halton Oy, Martela Oy, Pietiko Oy, Rockwool Finland Oy, University Properties of Finland Ltd, Turku Technology Properties Ltd).

Publications produced by the project can be found here.