"Where do people in your workplace go when they need time alone?"
According to workplace strategist and biophilic design expert Oliver Heath (1), the answer is often surprisingly disappointing: "the bathroom".
In many workplaces, employees have meeting rooms, collaborative zones, kitchens and breakout spaces. Yet when someone feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, overstimulated or simply needs a few minutes to reset, there is often nowhere appropriate to go.
As awareness of workplace mental health continues to grow, leading organisations are recognising that employee wellbeing is not just about policies and programmes. It is also about the physical environment people work in every day.
This is why the WELL Building Standard includes Mind Feature M07: Restorative Spaces, encouraging organisations to provide dedicated spaces where employees can step away from work, recover from mental fatigue and return refreshed.
Why We Need Restorative Spaces More Than Ever
Workplaces have changed dramatically over the past few years. Employees are balancing increasing workloads, constant digital connectivity, back-to-back meetings and the pressures of modern life.
The impact is evident in New Zealand workplace wellbeing statistics (3):
- 1 in 5 New Zealand workers report always or often being stressed by work.
- 60% of New Zealand workers report experiencing work-related stress.
- 31% report work-related anxiety.
- 20% report work-related depression.
- Around 30% of workers report experiencing a work-related mental health or wellbeing issue within a 12-month period.
WorkSafe New Zealand notes that workplace stress can affect both physical and psychological health, impacting concentration, productivity, recovery from illness and overall wellbeing.
At the same time, organisations are increasingly expected to create workplaces that actively support employee wellbeing. Research commissioned by Xero and conducted by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) found that workplace wellbeing initiatives in general can generate significant returns through improved productivity, engagement and reduced presenteeism. Organisational wellbeing programmes delivered an estimated average return of $5 for every $1 invested, with some initiatives achieving returns of up to $12 for every $1 invested.
The challenge is that wellbeing cannot be switched on with a poster, a webinar or a wellness month. Employees need practical opportunities throughout the day to pause, reset and recover.
What Is a Restorative Space?
A restorative space is a dedicated area designed specifically for relaxation, restoration and mental recovery.
Unlike a meeting room, collaborative space or workstation, its purpose is not productivity. Its purpose is wellbeing.
Under WELL Mind Feature M07, restorative spaces may be indoor or outdoor and should provide a calming environment that incorporates elements such as:
- Adjustable lighting
- Acoustic comfort or soothing sounds
- Thermal comfort controls
- Flexible seating options
- Natural elements and greenery
- Soft colours and textures
- Visual privacy
- Information explaining the purpose of the space
WELL also encourages organisations to support paid breaks away from workstations so employees can actually use these spaces during the workday.
The Science Behind Restoration
The human brain was never designed to maintain intense concentration all day.
Research referenced in the WELL framework (5) shows that exposure to nature, natural sounds and high-quality indoor environments can significantly improve cognitive performance and wellbeing.
Examples include:
- Nature sounds can improve cognitive performance by nearly 14%.
- Access to views and natural environments has been linked to improved focus and productivity.
- Enhanced indoor environmental quality has been associated with improvements in cognitive performance of more than 60%.
Employees who have opportunities to mentally recover throughout the day are more likely to remain engaged, productive and resilient.
The concept is supported by Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that exposure to natural environments helps replenish our mental capacity after periods of intense concentration.
What Makes a Great Restorative Space?
The best restorative spaces are not necessarily large or expensive.
The restorative spaces guide developed by Interface highlights several common design principles:
1. Privacy
People need confidence that they will not be interrupted.
This may include:
- High-backed seating
- Partitions
- Acoustic treatments
- Occupancy indicators
- Lockable rooms where appropriate
2. Connection to Nature
Natural elements are consistently associated with improved wellbeing.
Examples include:
- Indoor plants
- Natural materials such as timber
- Outdoor views
- Natural colours
- Water features
- Images of nature
3. Sensory Comfort
The space should reduce overstimulation rather than add to it.
This means:
- Soft lighting
- Comfortable temperatures
- Reduced noise
- Minimal visual clutter
4. Choice and Flexibility
Different people recharge in different ways.
Some may prefer:
- Sitting quietly
- Reading
- Stretching
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Simply looking out of a window
Providing options allows employees to use the space in the way that best supports them.
5. A Clear Purpose
The space should be clearly identified as a restorative area rather than another meeting room.
Signage can explain:
"This space is provided to support relaxation, wellbeing and restoration. Please avoid work-related activities while using this area."
The Benefits for Employees
When restorative spaces are available and actively encouraged, employees may experience:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved concentration
- Better emotional regulation
- Reduced mental fatigue
- Increased job satisfaction
- Stronger sense of organisational support
Research cited in the restorative spaces guide found that employees who take breaks between intensive meetings experience significantly lower stress responses than those who move directly from one meeting to the next.
The Benefits for Organisations
Restorative spaces are not simply an employee perk.
They can contribute to:
- Improved productivity
- Higher employee engagement
- Reduced absenteeism
- Better talent attraction
- Increased retention
- Stronger organisational culture
Research referenced in the Interface guide found that workers are increasingly prioritising health and wellbeing when choosing employers, while many organisations are using wellbeing-focused workplaces as a key attraction and retention strategy.
In a competitive labour market, the message is clear: people want workplaces that genuinely support them.
A Practical Example: Converting a Meeting Room into a Restorative Space
One of the biggest misconceptions about restorative spaces is that they require major renovations.
In reality, many organisations already have suitable spaces available.
Before
A small meeting room containing:
- Boardroom table
- Six meeting chairs
- Bright overhead lighting
- White walls
- Video conferencing equipment
The room is used infrequently and often sits empty.
After
The same room can become a restorative space by:
- Removing the meeting table
- Adding comfortable lounge seating
- Introducing indoor plants
- Installing dimmable lamps
- Adding rugs and cushions
- Displaying calming artwork or nature imagery
- Providing yoga mats or stretching space
- Playing optional nature sounds through a small speaker
- Adding simple signage explaining the room's purpose
The result is a dedicated retreat where employees can:
- Take a short break
- Reset after a difficult conversation
- Recover from sensory overload
- Practise mindfulness
- Stretch between meetings
- Simply enjoy a few minutes of quiet
The transformation can often be achieved with minimal cost while delivering a significant improvement in employee experience.
Looking Ahead
Many workplaces have invested heavily in collaboration spaces, meeting rooms and technology.
The next frontier is recognising that performance depends not only on how well people work, but also on how well they recover.
Restorative spaces acknowledge a simple reality: employees are human.
Providing a quiet, comfortable place to pause during the workday helps create healthier, more resilient and more productive workplaces. As recognised by WELL Mind Feature M07, restoration is not time away from work. It is an investment in sustainable performance.
References
1. Interface, Designing Restorative Spaces Guide. Designing Restorative Spaces_APAC EN.pdf
2. International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), WELL Building Standard v2, Mind Feature M07: Restorative Spaces. Standard | WELL V2
3. Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Statistics on Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/all-resources/statistics-on-workplace-mental-health-and-wellbeing/
4. Wellbeing and productivity at work, NZIER report to Xero. March 2021nzier-wellbeing-and-productivity.pdf
5. International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). (2024). Investing in Health: The Business Case for Healthy Buildings and Communities. International WELL Building Institute.
6. WorkSafe New Zealand, Psychosocial Risks for All New Zealand Workers. WorkSafe New Zealand, Work-Related Stress.
