The office environment – the most common workplace in Sweden
Today nearly 60% of all employees in Sweden work in an office environment at least 25% of their working hours. As a result of digitisation, conditions in the office environment have changed significantly. Technology has enabled mobility and flexibility in a completely new way; iPads and smart phones have helped make us mobile and flexible in brand new ways. One in three people working in an office environment has their own room, while about 15% do not have their own desk or room, but have to choose from non-personal desks/workstations . But regardless of the type of office you work in, activity-based office work has seen a breakthrough. Flexibility permeates the entire day. You can have customer meetings, work at home, work on the train, or go to other premises or departments within the company.
The sustainable office of the future
Sustainability and climate issues are also subjects of current interest in office research. What form should the transition to a sustainable perspective take when it comes to the office workplace? How can we develop modern offices that assures the health of employees, companies and the planet?
According to Susanna Toivanen, Professor of Sociology at Mälardalen University, Sween, a ‘sustainable office’ is an office that satisfies the current needs of an office environment without compromising on the needs of future generations.
“This classification of sustainability is based on the classic Brundtland definition. This involves environmental, economic and social sustainability. The social aspect includes employee health, as well as the health of society and the planet. We also talk about ‘healthy offices’ – where we start from a definition that derives from a large research project that looked at long-term healthy companies to discover what distinguishes them. This is measured, among other things, by looking at sick leave statistics based on office type.”
SLA – sound, light, air
In the physical environment, we usually talk about SLA – sound, light and air. These are usually the major challenges in office workplaces, particularly in open-plan offices. For example, in terms of light, it may involve how the lighting can be distributed evenly throughout the premises, as well as in the centre of the office landscape. In many landscapes that are in deep buildings, this can be a problem. There you can quickly see which places are most popular – those at the window with a view and natural light.
Sound can become a problem in open-plan office landscapes. It is important to get the help of an acoustician early in the planning stage in order to plan the sound environment as well as possible. There are no guidelines for noise as a work environment factor in an office environment, and disruption is a subjective experience for each employee.
In terms of air, the issues are both temperature and ventilation. For example, in office refurbishments where walls have been removed and existing environments have been refurnished, the ventilation may not be designed to cope with the number of employees required. In that instance, it may feel like there is not enough air.
These are physical factors that affect a person’s perception of the working environment as a whole. Often it is a combination of stresses – sound, light and air – perhaps all at the same time, that influences how we experience the environment, and affects our wakefulness and performance at work.
The working life of the future
If we instead look at the challenges for the working life of the future, we can already see that we are moving through a period of rapid and constant change.
“The symptoms you see during such a rapid development are that people cannot keep up with the changes, which can lead to increased sick leave,” says Professor Toivanen. “Each era has experienced the same pattern. The introduction of electricity changed the conditions for work – suddenly we could work even when it was dark. The arrival of trains was also a stress factor. All periods have seen their social changes, and have expressed a level of stress and associated worry. The reality of our time is that the planet’s population is huge, and the technological revolution is advancing like no other previous change, as far as we know.”
Another new factor is the concept of ‘boundaryless work’ in our 24/7 connected society. As an individual, you are never truly at rest. The means, technology and software that we have access to, which should be able to help us work less, have actually led to us being able to work more. This also means that time for recovery and relaxation has decreased. A break that is crucial for us to feel good and maintain our health.
Toivanen continues:
“This limitless working life, and this limitless way of working, place much greater demands on the individual to plan and perform their own work. Nowadays office work is also performed in alternative workplaces and work environments, at home or perhaps on a train. As a result, you can also talk about ‘boundaryless offices’, linked to these ‘new ways of working’. This way of working is the result of digitisation.”
New rooms – inside and out
So what will the workplaces of the future look like if we are becoming increasingly digital and mobile? Could you even do office work outdoors?
“We have been working on the issue of outdoor offices since 2014, and my PhD student is working with Sweden’s, maybe even Europe’s, first dissertation on office work outdoors,” says Toivanen. “The objection usually raised is often it is cold and unpleasant for much of the year in Sweden, so who would want to go out then? We don’t think that you should work 8 hours outdoors, but it should be possible to introduce elements of outdoor working during the work day and see how it affects health, performance and cognition.”
“In Växjö, Sweden, property company Castellum has developed what we know is the first permanent outdoor office workplace in Sweden (2016). There is a meeting table, a roof with solar cells and a space that can be booked for meetings. Different tenants and companies have access to this facility as an added value to their own premises. There is electricity for powering computers, and there are different types of seating. Several types of outdoor office have now been developed, with other companies, including some with mobile outdoor modules that you can move around in an outdoor environment and work with portable devices.”
Toivanen concludes with a couple of examples of work that can be performed outside:
“You can quite simply go outside for a while, to recover, for instance, or make a call. You can take a lunchtime walk, hold Monday meetings or customer meetings, sit and read or get inspiration for your work projects. The most important thing is recovery, and variation in the work. After a while outdoors, it is quite possible that you will gain a new perspective on your work indoors.”
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Beyond what we see – exploring the biological role of light
For most of human history, people lived almost entirely under natural daylight. The rhythms of sunrise and sunset shaped sleeping patterns, activity levels and the way the body responded to the environment. Today, modern life looks very different. Humans now spend 90% of their time indoors, surrounded by artificial light and increasingly separated from the full spectrum of daylight under which humans evolved. In conversations around wellbeing and the health of the human body, some researchers are beginning to ask whether light may influence the body in ways that extend beyond vision alone. One of those researchers is neuroscientist Professor Glen Jeffery at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology, whose research explores the relationship between light, mitochondria, ageing and visual function, including the potential biological role of longer wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum. This interview explores his research, insights, and the growing conversation about how modern indoor environments may be changing humanity’s relationship with light - not just visually, but biologically as well. The Evolution of Humans Under Daylight At the centre of Glen’s thinking is a relatively simple idea: the human body evolved under the full spectrum of sunlight over millions of years. “So many parts of your body and systems in your body were set over exposure to sunlight over millions of years,” he explains. “Your body has lost contact with your evolutionary history.” He explains that this evolutionary perspective is central to understanding why light may matter biologically. Human physiology developed in outdoor environments where daylight exposure was continuous, dynamic and spectrally rich. Modern indoor life, by comparison, represents a dramatic environmental shift. This does not mean modern lighting is inherently harmful, but rather society may only now be beginning to understand how profoundly modern environments have changed the way humans experience light. Beyond the Visible Spectrum When it comes to designing light, conversations often focus on what people can see: brightness, colour temperature, contrast, glare and visual comfort. Glen’s research, however, explores the possibility that wavelengths outside visible vision may also influence the body. “You only see a minute amount of the spectrum of sunlight, between roughly 400 nanometres (nm) to 700nm,” he explains. Visible light occupies only a relatively narrow band within the wider electromagnetic spectrum. Beyond it sit ultraviolet wavelengths on one side and infrared wavelengths on the other - both largely invisible to the human eye. Much of his recent work has focused on longer infrared wavelengths and their potential relationship with mitochondria - the structures within cells responsible for energy production. He argues that much of the sunlight exists beyond the visible spectrum that humans experience with the naked eye. This is where the conversation begins to move beyond traditional lighting discussions and into broader biological territory. Mitochondria, Energy and Ageing A significant portion of his recent work has explored how longer wavelengths of light - particularly around 670nm and near-infrared ranges - may influence mitochondrial performance and age-related decline in both animals and humans. A term many people may be unfamiliar with, but one that plays a fundamental role in the human body, is mitochondria. Often described as the body’s energy systems, mitochondria are essential to almost every biological process. “Everything you’re doing is relying on mitochondria,” Glen says. “Whether that’s using your muscles to kick your legs out of bed, or reach out for that cup of coffee.” In simple terms, mitochondria produce ATP, the molecule that powers cellular activity. His research explores how longer-wavelength light beyond 700nm may influence the efficiency of this process. “Long wavelength light lubricates each point where there’s a slight bit of resistance,” he explains, describing how photons may help support electron transfer within cellular energy pathways. While much of the science remains under investigation, Glen believes mitochondria may sit at the centre of broader questions around ageing, metabolism and human health. “The theory that sticks to the wall hardest is called the mitochondrial theory of ageing,” he says - the idea that ageing is closely linked to the gradual decline of mitochondria over time. As mitochondria become less efficient, the body’s ability to produce energy and maintain healthy function may also deteriorate. It is, however, important not to overstate conclusions. He emphasises that this is an evolving field with many unanswered questions, and believes the relationship between light, biology and human health deserves greater attention than it currently receives. Modern Indoor Life Whilst humans evolved under natural daylight, modern life is very different. People now spend much more time indoors than previous generations, fundamentally changing daily exposure to natural light. He points not only to artificial lighting, but to indoor lifestyles more broadly. Modern life increasingly takes place inside controlled environments, often with limited exposure to the full spectrum of daylight under which humans historically evolved. “We are making ourselves vulnerable because we’re living inside,” he says, “and we’re exacerbating that vulnerability with LED lighting.” Importantly, Glen does not separate modern indoor living from lighting technology itself. Instead, he sees them as interconnected parts of a much wider environmental shift. Beyond Circadian Lighting? Over the past decade, the lighting industry has increasingly explored circadian rhythms and human-centric lighting - particularly the role of light timing and blue wavelengths in regulating sleep and alertness. Glen does not see his research as contradicting that work, but rather broadening the conversation. In his opinion, it would be a mistake to think that light only does one thing. While circadian research largely focuses on visible wavelengths associated with the body clock, Glen’s work looks further into the infrared end of the spectrum and its potential biological effects. “These are two things that run hand in hand,” he explains. For him, the growing interest in circadian lighting reflects a wider shift towards understanding that light may influence people in multiple ways beyond visibility alone. A Conversation Still Emerging Glen believes researchers may now be approaching an important moment - not because all the answers exist, but because the questions themselves are beginning to change. For decades, conversations around light have understandably focused on visibility and visual performance. Increasingly, however, researchers are exploring whether light may also influence the body in broader biological ways that remain only partially understood. Exactly where this research may lead remains uncertain. But discussions around daylight, wavelength, and human biology are beginning to open new conversations about the relationship between people, light, and the environments they spend most of their lives in. In Part 2, we explore what these emerging ideas could potentially mean for lighting design, architecture and the future of healthy indoor environments.
Celebrating Retail Design: Inside Fagerhult's Health & Beauty Retail Safari
In retail, there is still no substitute for experiencing stores in person. That idea sits at the heart of Fagerhult's Retail Safari programme. Hosted by retail consultant Phil D'Souza, the initiative brings together retailers, designers and industry specialists to explore standout store environments, share perspectives and celebrate the creativity shaping the sector. With more than 30 years of experience spanning visual merchandising, store design, retail format development and customer experience, Phil has spent much of his career exploring how physical environments influence customer behaviour, brand perception and commercial success. Today, through his consultancy work and collaboration with Fagerhult, he helps retailers create spaces that engage, inspire and perform, making him an ideal guide for these immersive retail explorations. The recent Health & Beauty Retail Safari saw participants spend an afternoon visiting 12 stores across London's West End. Rather than critiquing brands against a checklist, the safari created space for observation, discussion and inspiration, examining how retailers use layout, materials, merchandising and lighting to shape customer experiences. Phil Different Brands, Different Answers Health and beauty proved a particularly interesting sector to explore because of the diversity of brands operating within it. "It's a really dynamic sector," says Phil. "You've got legacy brands alongside direct-to-consumer startups that have successfully transitioned into physical retail. That creates a really diverse environment." For the retailers and designers attending, that diversity was evident throughout the safari. Across the stores, participants encountered very different approaches to customer experience, despite many brands ultimately selling similar categories of products. By focusing on a single sector, the group could compare how brands interpreted space, atmosphere and product presentation in distinct ways. "You're able to look at what could ostensibly be a similar product type being presented through very different combinations of design, layout, materials and architecture," says Phil. "Ultimately, that respects the brand and creates a more immersive experience for the consumer." The Power of Product Presentation One of the standout examples came from Molton Brown's Regent Street flagship. The store uses ambient lighting to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with lighting also integrated directly into the shelving displays. "The thing about Molton Brown is that most bottles are clear, so customers often recognise and select products by colour," explains Phil. "What they've done by adding lighting into the shelving is almost illuminate the product from within." Unlike many brands where colour sits on the packaging, Molton Brown's clear bottles showcase the product itself. The distinctive colours of the shower gels, hand washes and bath products become a visual shorthand for different fragrances and collections, helping customers quickly spot familiar favourites or explore new options. The effect transforms the presentation of the products, amplifying the intensity of colour and helping customers navigate the range intuitively. "It almost creates this ethereal glow," he says. "They've not only lit the space, they've exploited the intensity of the colour of the product itself." For participants, it demonstrated how lighting can become part of the product experience rather than simply illuminating it. Creating Atmosphere Through Design Another memorable stop was Penhaligon's on Regent Street. For Phil, the store illustrated how lighting works most effectively when considered alongside every other element of the environment. "Penhaligon's felt like walking into someone's wonderful home," he says. Artwork, warm timber finishes, brass detailing, rich colours and discreet lighting combined to create a calm and highly immersive experience. "You suddenly realise that when you add all these things together and light them correctly, you feel very calm and very immersed in the environment," says Phil. "That's the power of good retail design underpinned by fantastic lighting solutions." Rather than drawing attention to individual features, the design worked as a cohesive whole to reinforce the brand's identity. One Brand, Two Very Different Stores One of the most interesting discussions emerged from comparing two stores operated by the same retailer. Participants visited two Aesop locations situated only a short distance apart: one on Regent Street and another on Beak Street. Despite sharing the same brand, the stores felt entirely different. The Regent Street location reflected the scale and character of its flagship surroundings, while the Beak Street store adopted a much simpler aesthetic more suited to its local context. "What was really interesting was that the store design on Beak Street reflected Beak Street, and the store design on Regent Street reflected Regent Street," says Phil. This approach extended across the brand's wider portfolio. "If you go to Kensington it's completely different again. If you go to Islington it's different again." For participants, it highlighted an increasingly sophisticated approach to retail design, where consistency comes from brand values and customer experience rather than identical store formats. "They're thinking about who's visiting the store," says Phil. "It doesn't really matter that every store isn't exactly the same. They reflect the consumer who's shopping in that location." Looking Beyond the Store Interior While much of the discussion focused on interiors, Phil encouraged participants to consider the customer experience before entering the store. "Standing outside a store is as important as being inside it," he says. Storefronts, windows and exterior lighting all play a role in shaping expectations and attracting attention within a competitive retail environment. "It's what you spot when you're walking past," he explains. "The better the environment is, the more likely you are as a consumer to consider that space." For retailers and designers alike, it served as a reminder that customer experience begins long before a purchase decision is made. Celebrating Great Retail A consistent theme throughout the safari was the desire to celebrate great retail design rather than critique it. That sense of celebration extended into the stores themselves. Ahead of the safari, the Fagerhult team spoke with the retailers they planned to visit. Phil says the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Pretty much every store said, ‘This is fantastic. Thank you so much. Yes, please come in,’’ he recalls. For him, that reaction reflected something important about physical retail: when a store has been carefully designed and invested in, teams are often proud to share it. Their enthusiasm adds another layer to the experience, reinforcing the relationship between brand, environment and people. Across the twelve stores, participants encountered a variety of approaches to lighting, layout, product presentation and customer engagement. While no two environments were the same, each demonstrated how considered design can shape the way customers experience a brand. "When you see some really good retail design, it creates fantastic ideation and fantastic creativity," adds Phil. Explore how Fagerhult can support your next retail project — from store openings to refurbishments — by getting in touch with our team. Coming soon: In a forthcoming profile feature, Phil D'Souza shares insights from more than 30 years in retail, exploring how store design, visual merchandising, customer experience and lighting have evolved, and what today's retailers can learn from creating environments that engage, inspire and perform.