Use of work-space at home under COVID-19 conditions in the UAE

Abstract

PurposeThe study assesses user satisfaction of workspaces modified at home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby analyzing the flexibility of modern homes in the twenty-first century in the United Arab Emirates.Design/methodology/approachData was collected using a structured online survey from 113 participants about their home office created to accommodate working/studying from home. Analysis of survey revealed the importance of type of residence in affecting satisfaction of functionality and well-being.FindingsThe collected demographic variables played a crucial role in affecting satisfaction with various elements, from indoor air quality of the working space to the amount of natural light received by the space. Finally, participants who felt the need to add color and change furniture layout, experienced feelings of productivity, commitment and motivation by working from home. The same participants decided to keep the amended changes to their living spaces, even after they return to working from their offices. The study concludes by presenting implications of this experience on future home designs; thereby offering suggestions of authorities, and designers to produce more flexible and resilient houses.Research limitations/implicationsA relatively small sample with limited professions was considered. Further research recommendations include increasing the sample size to target more categories of the residents of the UAE. Future research can expand the criteria used to evaluate satisfaction and include noise levels as well as accessibility.Practical implicationsThe study offers suggestions to authorities and designers to produce more flexible and resilient homes, taking demographics into consideration. Roof gardens, shading devices and privacy needs are crucial elements for the future home.Originality/valueThe research provides enough information to inform designers about the future of space interiors, how well they are configured, serviced and how adaptable they are, in order to enhance user satisfaction.HighlightsSatisfaction was affected by individual differences.Those who changed furniture layout showed least average satisfaction.Females reported higher satisfaction with indoor air quality and lighting than males.

How physical home workspace characteristics affect mental health: A systematic scoping review

“…The study by Montreuil and Lippel [14] received a quality score of 0%, because their method-ology was unclearly described and would therefore be 298 hard to reproduce. Satisfaction with privacy [7,13,23,30] Size of workspace [31] Importance of dedicated work area [14] Comfort of noise level [15,26,31] Size of home [21,22,35] Functionality of space as reason to WFH [30] Influence noise on mental health, productivity [27] Private/ shared workspace [31] Functionality of space [15,20] Noise sensitivity [27] Crowdedness [23] Types of noise [21,29] Housing typology [21,22,35] Noise annoyance [14,28]…”

“…ISO/TS 12913-2 [21,22] Construction year home [35] Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale [21,22] Acoustics as reason to WFH [30] Light and daylight Thermal comfort and temperature Light exposure levels [18] Satisfaction with natural light [5-7, [23][24][25]34] Air temperature [19,32,33] Satisfaction with indoor air temperature [5-7, 19,…”

“…Illuminance levels [19] Satisfaction with electric light [5-7, 24, 25] Relative humidity [32,33] Satisfaction with humidity [6,24] Satisfaction with glare [5, 7,24,25] Perception temperature [28] Satisfaction with light environment [32] Thermal preference [15,31] Satisfaction with illuminance [19] Temperature as reason to WFH [30] Perception of presence of light [15] Comfort of light [28] Artificial light as reason to WFH [30]…”

“…Access to outdoor space [16,34] Satisfaction with greenery [7] CO2 concentration [19,32] Satisfaction with air quality [5- 7, 19, 24-26, 28, 32] Type of outdoor space [34] Satisfaction with views outside [7,25] PM2.5 mass concentration [32] Satisfaction with ventilation [7,28] Time spent in garden [12] Visual access to nature as reason to WFH [30] Evaluation of air quality (poor-fresh) [15] Composition of garden [12] Perception of air quality [14,26] Type of view outside [16] Interference with air quality [26] Presence of plants [34] Air quality as reason to WFH [30] Look and feel…”

“…Wall colours [31] Wall colours as reason to WFH [30] U n c o r r e c t e d A u t h o r P r o o f human beings outside, other human beings present at home, neighbours, building services at home, building services of neighbours and common areas, and music/TV played by participants themselves).…”