Research On The Power Of Place Proves 4 Big Reasons For The Office

There is power in place and presence.
At the same time that many companies and leaders are insisting people return to the office, the debate about its value goes on. There are undoubtedly terrific benefits to flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere, and there is also compelling research about the power of place and reasons for the office.
It’s a worthy discussion—about where people can do their best work and what serves their wellbeing—balanced with the needs of teams and organizations.
And it’s likely to be a hybrid future—with a meaningful number of jobs that will continue to be performed both at the office and remote. But the office will still have a role to play, and there are also good reasons to go back to the office—for people and for organizations.
The Power of Place and Reasons for the Office
As people are heading back to the office--or choosing when and where to work remote--there is fascinating research on the power of place.
1. Place Increases Friendship
Large numbers of people global report they are lonely and wish they felt more connected. And having places to gather and connect is highly correlated with making friends, according to research by the Survey Center for American Life. The research found that when communities had places like coffee shops, restaurants, parks and community centers, 34% of people reported they had many friends, compared to only 12% who had friends with lack of access. On the other hand, when people lacked places to gather, 43% said they had no close friends, compared with 25% who said the same when they did have access.
The implication for offices is that they contribute to friendship and community, partly because they provide for us to gather. Conference rooms or project rooms give us the opportunity to work together. And team neighborhoods and work cafes provide for plenty of connections.
2. Place Enhances Happiness
Another fascinating study published in Social Science Research found that when communities invest more in resources for the public good—like roads, parks or libraries—people who live there tend to be happier. This was regardless of income, education, gender, race or ethnicity. The research finds that there is a positive impact of public amenities. People can find resources at libraries, and they can take a walk with friends in the park.