What effect does having wooden furniture in the office have on workers? ITOKI conducted a demonstration experiment. The joint research was carried out by Mr.Maki Sugiyama (center of the photo), team leader of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of the Forestry and Forestry Research Institute, the University of Tokyo, Yuko Tsuneji (right of the photo), professor of the Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, and Human Sciences, Waseda University. We asked Mr. Masahiro Shirakawa (photo left), a lecturer at the Faculty of Science, about the content, results, and significance of the demonstration experiment.
── First of all, please tell us your field of expertise.
Sugiyama's research focuses on two areas: "Wood for furniture" and "Elucidation of the merits of wood." The former involves research into the distribution, securing, and usage of domestic materials in order to increase the utilization rate in the fields of furniture and interior materials, where domestic materials are not widely used. The latter is research that uses scientific evidence to elucidate the benefits of wood, which is the subject of this conversation.
ShirakawaThere is a field of psychology that focuses on the human mind and studies it, called environmental psychology. I have been researching the mechanisms of how the environment that surrounds people affects their psychology and behavior. The target environments include cities and nature, but we mainly deal with spaces inside buildings, and until now we have conducted research in relatively compact spaces such as waiting rooms and counseling rooms of medical facilities. Ta.
There is a field called Tsuneji Forest Science that studies products that can be obtained from forests, and Professor Sugiyama and I are from that field. The main field of research is investigating the properties of wood itself, but there is also the field of investigating the relationship between wood and people, and that is my specialty. We mainly conduct research to clarify the effects that various properties of wood have on indoor spaces and the people who use those spaces.
── This demonstration experiment is being carried out as part of the Forestry Agency's 2020 Reiwa 2020 project to support efforts to improve the environment to promote the use of interior wood.
SugiyamaCurrently, the Forestry Agency is promoting the "Wood Change" initiative, which aims to use wood in offices, schools, hospitals, etc. other than residential buildings. The "Project to Verify the Effects of Wooden Interior Interiors" aims to demonstrate how the use of wood in interiors affects people's psychology and physiology, as well as the economic effects, and to promote the use of wood. This is to highlight the positive effects of this. We decided to conduct joint research with Itoki to see if we could demonstrate this in an office environment. In addition to myself, the research team included Professor Shirakawa for the psychological aspects, and Professor Tsuneji for the physiological aspects.
── Please give us an overview of the demonstration experiment on "the effects of wooden furniture in offices on workers."
Sugiyama: The big theme this time is, "Would it be easier to work if the top of a large table top was made of wood?" in an actual office. For verification, three types of top boards were used: solid chestnut 3mm veneer with clear coating (hereinafter referred to as chestnut veneer), wood grain melamine decorative board (hereinafter referred to as wood grain melamine), and single color white melamine decorative board (hereinafter referred to as white melamine). I used The reason why we tested these three types is that wood-grain melamine and white melamine are made of the same material, but they look different. Furthermore, the wood grain melamine and chestnut veneer are made of different materials, so although they look like wood, they feel different to the touch. By comparing these three types, the big challenge was to evaluate and clarify whether it would be better to use wood for its appearance or solid wood.
── The key is to compare and evaluate the three types of baking sheets.
At Sugiyama Itoki's office, 18 office workers were set up at tables every month and had them actually work for 5 days out of 2 weeks.We conducted a scientific study to determine the effects on concentration, creativity, and physiological and psychological aspects. It was verified. We thank you for your cooperation in this long-term experiment that lasted a total of 130 days [Photo 1].
There are two directions for research to prove the goodness of Tsuneji wood. One is a precise experiment in the laboratory to examine the effects on odor, texture, and appearance under the same conditions, and the other is an experiment in the field where the product is actually used. These are like the two wheels of a car, and by having them together, you can prove the overall quality of the wood. There are few opportunities to conduct tests like this one on actual workers, so this was an opportunity to obtain valuable data.
[Photo 1] Demonstration experiment
── Please tell us about each experiment in detail.
Shirakawa: I was in charge of examining the effects of the differences in three conditions (chestnut veneer, wood grain melamine, and white melamine) on workers psychology and productivity. Concentration was evaluated through a calculation task within a time limit, and creativity was evaluated through a work task using a mind map, and in addition, a subjective evaluation was conducted using a questionnaire.
── What were the results?
Shirakawa Mind Map is like an association game where you write down words that come to mind based on one theme, and the more you can write, the more creative you will be, and the easier it will be for you to come up with images. The results for chestnut thick veneer were higher, but when analyzed statistically, the results could not be said to be a meaningful difference. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in calculation tasks.
The difference is in the subjective evaluation part. The evaluation items were five productivity-related items such as work efficiency, communication, and creativity, one satisfaction item, two overall evaluation items, and an impression evaluation item using adjective pairs, all of which were evaluated on a five-point scale. Ta.
In terms of productivity, there is a statistical difference between chestnut veneer and white melamine, with chestnut veneer veneer being rated as more efficient and easier to come up with ideas [Figure 1]. In addition, the overall ratings of satisfaction, "like", and "want to use" were given in order of chestnut veneer, wood grain melamine, and white melamine.
[Figure 1] Comparison of average subjective evaluations regarding concentration and creativity (N=17)
── Please tell us more about impression evaluation using paired adjectives.
Measure the image of the target using Shirakawa adjective pairs. This time, we used 21 adjective pairs such as "comfortable-uncomfortable'', "soft-hard'', and "various-monotonous''.
We then conducted a "factor analysis" to group these results into groups with similar scoring trends. As a result, four factors were extracted and named "evaluativeness,'' "pointedness,'' "kozappari,'' and "arousal.'' Comparing this under three conditions, chestnut thick veneer veneer scored higher in "evaluationability'' and "sharpness''. What is interesting is the "point" factor. They say that the chestnut veneer table has a different quality to it, with comments such as "untypical'' and "full of variety.''
However, is it "good" as office furniture if it has a high degree of "pointiness"? The design of this table is the same as the office-like table, with only the top plate being changed. That may be the point, and the use of thick chestnut veneer veneer may be why people think it's "slightly different from what we're used to." If you think that the use of wood has a high degree of sharpness, and if you make all the tables made of wood, or cover the space itself with wood, your evaluation may change, saying, "I want it to retain an office-like feel."
--- Thank you very much. Now, Mr. Sugiyama, please.
Sugiyama:For psychological evaluation, we conducted three types of tests using questionnaires: "Subjective Symptom Survey," "STAI State/Trait Anxiety Test," and "Mood Profile Test (POMS2).''
The subjective symptoms evaluation is divided into fatigue, drowsiness, instability, discomfort, sluggishness, and vagueness. The results showed that chestnut thick veneer may reduce discomfort and sluggishness compared to white melamine. The STAI evaluates anxiety, and the higher the score, the more anxious it is, and the measurement results showed that anxiety may be lower with chestnut veneer than with white melamine. [Figure 2]. POMS2 evaluates mood status, and here again it was suggested that chestnut veneer veneer may reduce fatigue and anxiety compared to white melamine.
[Figure 2] Comparison of mean STAI state and trait anxiety scores (N=17)
── Next, I would like to ask you about Professor Tsuneji's demonstration experiment.
TsunejiI used physiological indicators to evaluate the stress state of workers under three conditions. The indicator was the concentration of the hormone cortisol in saliva. Cortisol is secreted in large amounts into saliva and blood when you wake up in the morning, and then decreases in the evening. People with low stress have good reactivity, so their levels rise sharply in the morning and drop sharply at night. People with high stress do not have a good morning response and the rate of decline is gradual.
In this experiment, the slope did not change much for white melamine. In the case of chestnut thick veneer, the slope is large [Figure 3]. From this result, it can be inferred that the stress condition was lowered by using chestnut thick veneer veneer.
A similar study found that people who lived in areas with a lot of green space around their homes had a greater slope in cortisol levels. Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress, and it appears that incorporating natural objects into the office may have a similar effect.
[Figure 3] Daytime changes in salivary cortisol when using different baking sheets (one representative example)
── How do you evaluate the results of these experiments?
Sugiyama: Generally speaking, I think a chestnut veneer top plate would be good. However, some results show that chestnut thick veneer and wood grain melamine are almost the same, but there is a difference from white melamine. Considering this, I believe that there should be a way to use it depending on the purpose, and that it is not okay to use wood for everything.
Although no differences were seen in tasks such as Shirakawa calculation tasks and mind maps, positive results were obtained in subjective evaluations. It can be said that workers feel that the tables made of chestnut veneer provide a better working environment than usual.
Tsuneji Data obtained while working in an actual office places various stresses on workers. Therefore, it cannot be said that the effect is only due to the top plate, This difference in cortisol levels is a major achievement. One of the reasons for this is the attractive chestnut veneer table. I think it was once.
The cortisol concentration data collected by Dr. Tsuneji Sugiyama is extremely valuable. In fact, in such experiments, physiological reactions and questionnaire surveys are conducted as a set. Although there are differences in questionnaire results, there are often no differences in physiological responses.
There are many studies that show that the smell of Tsunetsugu calms people down, but there is still little data on its appearance and feel. Further verification is required.
Sugiyama: That's right. Furthermore, an office is naturally a space where people continue to work, so first impressions alone are not the deciding factor. We need to collect more long-term data.
── The effectiveness of chestnut veneer veneer tables has been demonstrated, but each product has its own unique characteristics. What do you think about the significance of using this in the office?
TsunejiIn the past, offices had a uniform image of everyone working in the same place, at the same desk, but now they have free time, can choose where they work, and use what works best for them. The trend is for people to work in a healthy and prosperous manner. In that sense, I think that individuality will be incorporated into offices from now on. You spend a lot of time in the office in a day, so it's desirable to be healthy rather than stressed and tired.
ShirakawaEven if changing the environment does not have a direct positive impact, it will convey the message that ``My company is creating an environment that makes it easier for employees to work,'' and as a result, it will increase employee motivation. It may also lead to an increase. I think this can be achieved by simply introducing one wooden table instead of changing the entire environment.
Sugiyama I think it is significant that we were able to obtain this kind of data just by using wood for the top plate. If you are going to start using wood, you don't have to think so hard that you have to make the entire space into wood. It doesn't matter if it's just a table or just a partition. It is important to start as early as possible about it.
── This is a departure from the demonstration experiment, but in closing, please tell us about what you think are the benefits of wood.
What makes Tsunejiki different from other materials is its ``temporality.'' I think there will be a big difference when you use it for a long time. Wood-grained melamine can be made to look exactly like it, but it has not yet been possible to reproduce the changes that occur when used for a long time. I believe that a special feature of trees is that they have a ``temporality'' that allows them to grow old together with people.
There are good things about it, such as bringing out the Shirakawa flavor and adding to the flavor, but I also think there's a good thing about it that it doesn't get in the way, it blends in well, and it has a good balance that makes it look good when combined with other materials. And people who notice it feel proud or happy, so I think it's an ideal material to incorporate into the office.
One of the great qualities of Sugiyama lumber is its "storytelling.'' In order for wood products to be accepted, it is important to tell their stories. The "temporality'' that Professor Tsuneji mentioned is the process in which a product is used and grows, but there is also a process before that for wood. Where did it grow, where was it cut, and who processed it into products? I think that kind of storytelling is also part of the appeal of wood.
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