Instrumentality, Aesthetics, and Symbolism of Office Design

Abstract

This article suggests that the analysis of physical environments in organizations should recognize three separate dimensions: instrumentality, aesthetics, and symbolism. A theoretical framework is presented based on an expansive survey of multiple bodies of literature that study the effects of physical environments of organizations. Two different methodologies are employed to study employee perceptions of the physical environment of their office space and to test and support the three-dimension framework. In a qualitative study, narratives of in-depth interviews relating to office design are evaluated. In a quantitative study, data collected in a survey of 148 office employees provide evidence for the construct validity of three separate dimensions. The three-dimension model described and validated in this study may facilitate the planning and evaluation of office design.