Design Environments Inspiring Employee Satisfaction: A Comprehensive Study on Design Elements Rousing Satisfaction Levels with Special Reference To State Sector Offices in Homagama, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Though job satisfaction is one of the most studied facets of organizational behaviour, the involvement between its physical environment and satisfaction for work efficiency is seldom studied. A quality design fosters a less stressful and productive office environment. The employable community has proliferated with the development of the tech city in Homagama. Thus, a healthy office environment is essential for employees' eight-hour daily work duration. This paper aims to study how employees determine their satisfaction level within the work environment regarding different design elements. It investigates the extent of integration of identified design elements and discusses further necessary improvements. The research involved 84 employees across three state-sector offices in Homagama: the Divisional Secretariat Office, the Zonal Education Department, and the Medical Officer of Health. The examination will utilize on-site observation, an open-ended structured questionnaire and available literature. The perceived importance of different parameters will be clarified with the compatibility of the standard parameters of British standards. The results highlight a significant impact on employee satisfaction due to the lack of personal space, with additional factors including internal layout, furniture, circulation space, ventilation levels, and sanitary facilities. Furthermore, the study indicates that the perceived importance of design parameters equals or higher than the importance of satisfaction. In conclusion, prioritizing employee health and well-being in office spaces is crucial for improving overall well-being, efficiency, and reducing energy consumption. The paper suggested enhancing office design through the implementation of passive design principles and space utilization strategies. The insights will be useful for architects and facility managers to utilize the interior by improving the quality of productive, user-friendly, energy-efficient, and sustainable offices.