‘Fabric de Monet’, Workspaces That Increase Sunlight Exposure Catch Attention

- Work environments with abundant sunlight show improved work efficiency
- Pleasant work environment and eye-catching appearance expected to enhance corporate image

Not only in residential environments but also in workspaces, the amount of sunlight is important. A workspace with ample sunlight can enhance happiness and increase job satisfaction.

When exposed to sunlight, serotonin secretion in our bodies is activated, boosting feelings of happiness. Accordingly, workspaces with high sunlight exposure strengthen physical and mental functions based on this happiness, thereby improving work efficiency and productivity.

A representative example of a workspace designed with natural lighting is the global company Apple’s new headquarters, Apple Park. The main building of this new headquarters is surrounded by the world’s largest curved glass panels. From the inside, the floor-to-ceiling glass walls transmit and reflect the exterior scenery, making the office interior feel like nature. This design aims to stimulate creativity and maximize work efficiency, reflecting the company’s characteristics.

Additionally, the new headquarters of the major Korean cosmetics company Amorepacific features an exterior made of floor-to-ceiling glass, with streamlined vertical aluminum louvers installed on the facade. These louvers block glare from direct sunlight while diffusing natural light throughout the indoor spaces. In particular, the aluminum louvers on the building’s exterior respond to changing light conditions depending on the weather and time, continuously altering the scenes inside and outside the building, creating a distinctive facade design that stands out in the area.

The reason workspaces utilizing sunlight are gaining popularity is that work performance is influenced by the amount of sunlight. According to a 2018 study by a professor of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, receiving adequate natural light in the office significantly improves workers’ health and welfare, leading to increased productivity. The study found that workers in naturally lit workspaces experienced an 84% reduction in eye fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision symptoms, a 10% decrease in drowsiness, and a 2% increase in productivity when working near windows.

Industry experts analyze that the trend to improve quality of life has expanded to focus on the quality of work environments, making workspaces with increased sunlight exposure popular. Since workers spend most of their day, excluding sleep time, in workspaces, these spaces effectively determine their quality of life. Moreover, such designs stand out compared to typical buildings, offering benefits such as corporate promotion and enhanced brand image.

An industry representative stated, “Workspaces utilizing natural lighting increase job satisfaction for employees and maximize productivity for employers, creating a synergistic effect for all.” They added, “Workspaces with high sunlight exposure play a role in enhancing efficiency in many ways, thus possessing value beyond just being comfortable work environments.”

Accordingly, in the Seongsu-dong area of Seongdong-gu, Seoul, ‘Fabric de Monet,’ inspired by the philosophy of light in the works of the French master painter Claude Monet, is gaining attention for its design that utilizes light. Fabric de Monet is a knowledge industry center that considers the movement of sunlight in its design and creates natural lighting underground through a sunken courtyard. It also incorporates solar panels on the exterior to save energy. Furthermore, the building’s exterior features a media facade, making it a landmark of light that stands out even during dark nights.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.