The magic of freedom: How outdoor working promotes creativity

The magic of freedom unfolds if you unleash the creativity outdoors. Outdoor Working - or also WFO (Work from Outside) - is the new trend of this summer.

For everyone who struggles through the bleak winter months year after year, the good news that warmer days follow as soon as spring starts. The birds chirp, the sun is shining and we can begin to accept our zoom calls from our garden area, while WFH (work from home -work from home) WFO (work from outside) .

As a sub -area of ​​the Megatrend New Work, natural work outdoors offers numerous benefits, from fresh air and natural environment to personal freedom and a new creativity -promoting working style.

In a world in which we spend most of our time in the office, it is time to take a step outside and discover how outdoor working can not only enrich our job, but also our lives.

Freedom as an essential aspect of human life

Freedom is an essential aspect of human life. The possibility of shaping our life according to our own needs and wishes enables us to feel self -determination and independence.

In the work context - especially in creative professions - freedom can play an equally transformative role. A modern working practice that is increasingly established is the so -called "outdoor working" , in which people can do their professional tasks outdoors.

How Outdoor Working promotes creativity

This innovative type of work offers numerous advantages and opens up new opportunities to promote creativity. At the WFO, we not only benefit from the fresh air and a natural environment, but also from an inspiring atmosphere that makes our creative juices flow.

Studies show that the connection with nature has positive effects on our thinking processes and improves our creativity and problem -solving skills. Working outdoors enables us to solve us from the limits of the conventional office and let our thoughts wander freely.

By taking new stimuli and perspectives from our environment, we can find innovative solutions and develop fresh ideas. In addition, freedom to be able to work in different locations plays a crucial role in promoting creativity.

Instead of spending the whole day at a desk in the office, we have the opportunity to open our workplace at any location. Whether in the park, on the beach or in a café, we can choose our surroundings and take our surroundings where we feel the most productive and most creative.

However, the advantages of Outdoor Working are not only limited to creativity. A study by the Mammut company shows that employees who spend time outdoors feel greater satisfaction with their work and a better work-life balance . Work From Outside makes it possible to combine personal needs with professional requirements and to find a healthy balance between work and leisure.

Berlin architect shows a positive effect with an experiment

This results in increased motivation and satisfaction in the job, as we have freedom to design our everyday work according to our individual preferences. In an experiment carried out by Eike Becker (architect), the positive effects of outdoor working on creativity became clear.

The participants were asked to relocate their daily work for a certain period of time. The result showed a significant increase in creative performance and increased satisfaction in the workplace. These results confirm that freedom to work outdoors has a noticeable influence on our creative way of thinking.

How companies can implement WFO as part of everyday work

Despite all efforts to revitalize office interior with sufficient plants, sophisticated planners, builders and users are increasingly recognizing that the shift in jobs on the outside represents a noticeable development. The Outdoor Working has had an impact on the architecture, which are now increasingly equipping office buildings with green courtyards, large balconies, loggias and roof terraces.

There may be reasons for this development in two and a half years of social distancing that have increased the desire to spend more time in nature. Many have only recognized during this time how much a walk in the forest can calm down and donate energy.

The past few months in pandemic have shown us how valuable it is to work from home and enjoy the advantages of a balcony or garden. Thanks to modern technology such as fast broadband WLAN and smartphones as well as corresponding software solutions, we are able to be productive almost everywhere.

This freedom also applies to many offices in which mobile devices such as laptops and bluetooth connections are standard.

The people who work in the design industry are not foreign to the advertised advantages of biophilic design . The principle of biophilia states that people are naturally attracted to nature and that nature is important for our physical and mental well -being.

Biophilic design could be as easy as adding different plants to a work area or even a green or "living" wall. It could also be about integrating natural materials such as wood into a design.

In addition to biophilic office space and interior areas, more and more companies are now focusing on the concept of outdoor working and creating special work areas outdoors . Of course, there are ideal conditions, especially in warmer climate zones. However, an outdoor workstation is also possible in cooler regions, provided certain basic requirements are met: protection against weather influences such as heat, cold and wind as well as comfortable furniture, which can withstand even outdoors.

the implementation of the work from outside principle in the entrepreneurial work environment requires certain planning and preparation. At the same time, there are higher costs. Companies should ensure that their employees have the necessary technical devices and resources in order to be able to work effectively outdoors.

Among other things, this includes laptops, smartphones, fast internet access and, if necessary, solar or rain protection. Employees should also be informed about the advantages and rules of the Outdoor Working to ensure that they can use this option as best as possible.

Eike Becker, a renowned architect of the Berlin office Eike Becker Architects, emphasizes the importance of natural work environments. According to Becker, people can gain new perspectives outside and increase their creativity. He recommends considering outdoor working as a personality training that is about combining nature and developing your own creativity.

The implementation of a WFO routine also has a positive impact on the health and well-being of employees. By moving outdoors outdoors, you can be more physically active and increase your vitamin D Mirrors .

More and more employees feel stressful in stuffy offices or gray meeting rooms. Organizations such as "Outside Society" and "Office Caravan" offer an innovative solution here. They bring work outside and create a feel -good atmosphere in nature with outdoor offices. This is how everyday office life is refreshed and working becomes a refreshing experience.

Outside Society presents a mobile workplace outdoors, which is driven by solar energy and is placed in inspiring places in nature. An innovative work environment is created here that lies away from the ordinary office conditions and sterile -looking conference rooms.

This unique working atmosphere gives teams the opportunity to win new perspectives away from the oppressive office air and monotonous session rooms.

How to personally create an enriching WFO work environment

In order to be able to concentrate better when working, it is important to find a quiet place and to stay away from distractions. This can mean that you are in places where fewer people and noises are, such as early morning or in remote places.

If you work outside, surrounded by fresh air and an inspiring natural backdrop, it can sometimes be difficult to concentrate fully on work. But with a few helpful tips and tricks , everyone can find the necessary focus.

First of all, it is important to deliberately plan time for outdoor working . By structuring the working day and determining certain times when you want to work outside, you create a clear separation between work and leisure .

Another tip is to look for a suitable workplace outdoors . Whether it's a quiet park, a cozy beer garden, your own garden or a terrace with a view - it is important that you feel comfortable and undisturbed there.

You don't have to balancing your laptop on a wooden bench to enjoy the advantages of nature and at the same time do your work. Solutions such as the Extremis AMAI collection offer a functional workplace for each individual and offer both seating and standing height options and integrated technology. It may look like a picnic table, but it is much more than that. Thanks to the inherent modularity, users can add and change components if their requirements change.

With the right working atmosphere, it is easier to dive and immerse yourself in the work flow. Setting clear goals can also help to sharpen the focus. By thinking about what tasks you want to do in advance and how much time you need, you can concentrate on it.

It is advisable to realistically design the to-do list and deliberately plan breaks to get your head free.

Last but not least, personal attitude also plays an important role. By recognizing the benefits of outdoor working for your own creativity and productivity, motivation is increased. To be aware that you are in a privileged position to be able to work outside can offer an additional incentive to concentrate on the tasks and make the best of it.

Step by step to the relaxed outdoor workspace

1. Choose your sun protection carefully

There is nothing worse than sitting under a garden umbrella that does not completely fulfill its purpose. It is therefore important to pay attention to the actual material of the fabric when buying your parasol.

The best fabric on the market is, according to Mark Feldman , Chief Home Officer from Rianbend Home , an acrylic product in marine quality called "Sunbrella" . It is a spinning nozzle-colored material that is weather and light-resistant. It is also specially designed for the shadow.

The expert also suggests searching for umbrellas with automatic inclination function. This enables users to follow the sun and thus continuously donate shadows, even while sitting.

2. Design your outdoor workplace ergonomic

We are all aware of the disadvantages that it brings to be tied to the desk all day. Unfortunately, this does not disappear when you go outside - it can even worsen. Without an ergonomic desk chair that keeps your spine in a line, you still have to make sure that your facility does not load your neck and shoulders.

The most important factor is to ensure that the chair on which you sit, and the table you use are correctly aligned in an ergonomic sense.

Even if working in the hammock sounds cozy when you work outside for a long time, it is best to settle down at a traditional dining table outdoors.

The work does not stop ensuring that your table and seating are in order. You still have to sit properly. If your chair is too low, the pain in the lower back is caused. If the chair is too high, you get elbow pain.

Small thumb rule: If the chair and table are properly aligned, you can easily support your arms on the table. To ensure that the stool and table have the right distance, you should never grab something, stretch or turn.

The feet should always be flat on the floor. To ensure that the seat has the right height, the highest point in the seat should be just below the kneecap. The knees should form a 90 degree angle.

And if your outdoor chair does not have a good backrest, consider to add a loop pillow to him.

3. Consider a standing room

Standing desks are enjoying growing popularity and are another great alternative for WFO. But don't drag your desk into the wilderness.

As a makeshift solution, you can also convert a flower bank or a table at bar height.

4. Limit distractions as far as possible

Working in an extensive, open space, especially if you are sitting on a computer, can be a nightmare in terms of concentration and productivity.

If you have the space, you could think about checking your options for something more permanent. For example, you could dedicate a dandruff or invest in a pavilion or a pergola .

If this is not possible, hope for privacy is not lost. The use of privacy screens, curtains, hedges or planters for the outdoor area are also ideal for creating a shielding that makes your job more private and at the same time keeps the noise away.

If privacy in your garden is important to you, you can large-format and easy-care privacy products . In addition to the privacy screen for double bar fences specialized providers such as Gartenzaun24 offer a wide range of WPC, aluminum, ceramic and glass elements that you can put together individually for your privacy fence.

Gabion fencing solutions are also enjoying increasing popularity for fencing and separations in the home garden. Modular gabion baskets are a flexible solution for almost every requirement.

You can continue to suppress loud noises by headphones with noise cancellation (noise canceling), White Noise Machines or even a outdoor waterfall

No matter how you decorate your new outdoor office space, do not forget sun protection and insect spray-two of the most important WFO requirements.

5. Suitable climate controls

You cannot control the weather, but you can invest in devices that will help you cool or heat your outdoor area depending on your place of residence in order to make working outdoors more pleasant.

For example, you can install ceiling fans outdoors to cool off or buy a terrace heater to ensure more comfort.

6. Separate work and leisure time

The chances are good that you and your family do your garden for leisure activities such as sports or run through a sprinkler system. If you set up an outdoor workplace, you should consider using decorative privacy screens or planters to create more privacy and separate the work from the personal area

The setting up of partition walls is also a smart idea if you have neighbors in the immediate vicinity.

The Sipario planters from Nardi are a perfect solution for room layout in the outdoor area. This modular partition system for the outdoor area is made of regenerated plastic and contains a self -watering planter, perfect for those among us who occasionally forget to pour their plants.

7. Power supply

Power supply is a requirement that you may not take into account if you move your office outdoors. You need a socket nearby (and possibly an extension cable or a socket strip) to connect your laptop and telephone, tablet or other devices.

And since the sun is shifting during the day, Brooks recommends getting a device like a ring light when you make a zoom call and are in the shadow of the sun.

If there are no sockets in your outdoor area, look for TR Terms & Conditions Arene USB batteries as a replacement.

8. Make it a place where you like to be

Last but not least: Do not neglect your immediate surroundings and your background. decorative pillars are recommended for the indoor and outdoor area, ceilings that also provide heat when the weather becomes cooler, or fairy lights to add another light source and create a cozy atmosphere in little sunlight.

Sources and further information

• • Eike Becker in the article of the MD-Magazine on Outdoor Working, https://www.md-mag.com/news/branche/outdoor-wping/
  • The Spruce : WFO (Work From Outside) is the work trend you need for Spring , https://www.thespruce.com/wfo-is-WORK-WORK-TREND-TO-KNOW-ABOUT-515222
  • Real Simple : How to Set Up the Perfect Work-From-Outdoors Space (Since WFO is the New WFH) , https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing-homezing-Home-Foffice/Work-from-outdoors-tips
  • Outside Society , https://octside-society.ch/

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www. kunstplaza .de/