Liquid medicine
The healing nature of water in the workplace.
Water has become a common design element in American workplaces, whether it is a small bubbling fountain on an individual's desk or a large, ornate water feature in a reception area. Companies are beginning to discover there are additional benefits to water beyond aesthetics and are expanding their use of water features beyond the lobby — into the office environment.
In fact, scientific research shows the sound and image of falling or moving water can increase productivity and job satisfaction, reduce stress, purify the air and speed healing.
Form and multi-functional
Accents in Water, an Englewood, Colo.,-based designer and manufacturer of water features, worked with Dr. Mark Hernandez, Ph.D., PE, principal investigator, associate professor with the University of Colorado Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, to develop an antimicrobial water feature that prevents bacteria and mold growth, common among traditional water features. In addition, the team developed an ultraviolet light sterilization system within the water reservoir that kills 99 percent of bacteria that comes in contact with the water. OM Workspace® is a national provider of Accents in Water antimicrobial water features.
The moving water creates electrically charged particles that work to purify the air and increase humidity levels, as well as attract and then decrease the amount of dust pollutants and static electricity. In one study conducted by Hernandez and Accents in Water, smoke was introduced into a sealed room containing a water feature at the opposite end.
“We were able to watch the smoke pass across the room and into the water feature,” says Guy Bertelli, international sales manager for Accents in Water. “Water has that kinetic energy to draw things to it.”
Melanie Goetz, owner of Hughes & Stuart, a Denver-based marketing firm, has noticed fewer sick days and less sneezing among her nine employees since her water feature was installed.
“When one person catches an illness, it doesn’t seem like the other employees come down with it as well,” Goetz adds.
After originally purchasing the water feature for the reception area of her company’s office space, Goetz moved the water feature to a more central location when she realized how well it helped to circulate the air.
“Delivery personnel have commented on how ‘fresh’ the air seems,” Goetz says. “I’m convinced it’s because of the water feature.”
The Accents in Water antimicrobial design and ability to custom-design water features for individual purposes and tastes have companies getting pretty creative in displaying and making practical use of water features, Bertelli says.
One customer installed a water feature in a conference room and incorporated an HDTV for displaying PowerPoint presentations. Another has a similar installation with a whiteboard for brainstorming and note-taking.
Accents in Water designs also are particularly popular in healthcare facilities for both their calming and healing qualities.
Joe Gaughn, director of facilities services for Olean General Hospital in Olean, N.Y., says the antimicrobial features were a deciding factor in choosing a water feature from Accents in Water, and it doubles as a calming influence for those spending anxious hours in the hospital’s waiting rooms.
“One can only stare at a television or a magazine for so long before getting bored,” Gaughn says. “The water feature provides an added distraction for loved ones of patients in the hospital.”
Stress reliever
Additional research is being conducted on the deeper health benefits of water features. The Pebble Project, for example, focuses on the effects of physical environment on the health and welfare of people in healthcare facilities.
Accents in Water installed a custom water feature in a day treatment room for patients with Alzheimer’s disease at Pebble Project partner Sitrin Health Care Center in New Hartford, N.Y. Prior to placing the water feature in the room, baseline blood pressure measurements were taken from the patients, who were not informed a water feature would be installed.
At the conclusion of the study, the mean systolic blood pressure was four points lower after the water feature had been installed.
If a water feature can affect patients in a healthcare facility in this manner, imagine the benefits that could be realized in an office full of stressed workers.