Green Space and the Evolving Workplace Environment

How access to outdoor space and surrounding amenities is influencing workplace experience, wellbeing and productivity across urban office environments

As workplace expectations continue to evolve, businesses are placing greater emphasis on the overall quality of the office environment, not only within the building itself, but also in the spaces that surround it.

While location, specification and connectivity remain central to office decision-making, access to green space is becoming an increasingly important part of workplace experience. In urban office locations, nearby parks, landscaped outdoor areas and walkable amenities are now viewed as valuable extensions of the working environment, supporting everything from informal meetings and lunch breaks to employee wellbeing and day-to-day interaction.

This shift reflects a broader change in how office space is being used. The workplace is no longer assessed solely on square footage or technical specification. Increasingly, occupiers are looking at how a location supports productivity, collaboration and overall quality of experience throughout the working day.

The Relationship Between Nature and Workplace Wellbeing

Research continues to highlight the connection between greener workplace environments and employee wellbeing.

A study referenced by the Harvard Business Review found that exposure to natural elements within workplace settings can contribute to improved morale, reduced stress levels and increased productivity. The report also noted growing investment in workplace environments that integrate outdoor access and natural surroundings as part of broader employee wellbeing strategies.

Similarly, research associated with Harvard’s Healthy Buildings programme identified links between greener office environments and improved cognitive performance, reinforcing the importance of workplace quality beyond the office interior alone.

These findings are increasingly influencing how office environments are designed, managed and positioned within major urban markets.

Outdoor Space as Part of the Workplace Experience

Access to outdoor space is also becoming more relevant in how employees experience office locations day to day.

Studies examining workplace environments have shown that nearby green areas and outdoor amenities can positively influence wellbeing, physical activity and overall connectedness among office workers.

This becomes particularly noticeable during the spring and summer months, when outdoor spaces naturally become part of the working day. Coffee meetings move outside, lunch breaks become more active and informal conversations increasingly take place beyond the desk environment.

As a result, the surrounding environment is becoming a more important factor in workplace appeal, particularly within city centre office locations where access to green space can be more limited.

 Workplace Experience in Practice

At Clancourt, workplace experience continues to be influenced not only by the buildings themselves, but also by how occupiers interact with the wider environment around them.

At Park Place, the campus benefits from its proximity to some of Dublin’s most established green spaces, including Iveagh Gardens and St Stephen’s Green. Located within walking distance of the campus, these areas contribute to the wider workplace experience for occupiers and visitors throughout the day.

Alongside the continued evolution of the campus environment itself, access to nearby outdoor spaces supports a more flexible and connected workplace experience, whether for informal meetings, time away from the desk or day-to-day interaction within the city environment.

As businesses continue to reassess how office environments support employees, factors such as walkability, outdoor access and surrounding amenities are expected to play an increasingly important role in how workplace quality is assessed.

The office sector continues to evolve beyond traditional measures of location and specification alone. Access to green space, outdoor amenities and walkable environments is increasingly recognised as part of a broader workplace experience that supports employee wellbeing, interaction and productivity.

As occupier expectations continue to develop, these factors are likely to play a growing role in how office environments are designed, managed and experienced across urban markets.

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