What is Environment-Based Working?
EBW is a strategy that empowers individuals to select their work setting based on the specific environmental conditions—sound, light, temperature—that best support their cognitive and physiological state.
Coined by workplace strategist Andrew Mawson, it represents a data-informed evolution of previous models, shifting the focus from a one-size-fits-all office to a dynamic ecosystem of spaces designed to cater to a spectrum of human diversity.
The Evolution from Activity-Based Work
EBW builds upon Activity-Based Work (ABW) by adding a crucial layer of personalization.
Activity-Based Work (ABW)
Provides settings for different tasks (focus, collaboration, etc.).
Assumes everyone doing the same task has the same environmental needs.
Environment-Based Working (EBW)
Provides settings based on an individual's sensory needs for a task.
Acknowledges that one person’s "focus zone" is another’s "distraction zone."
The goal is no longer just to match a space to an activity, but to match a space to the unique individual performing that activity.
"We're all wired differently... Some run hot, others cold. Noise distracts some, while others tune it out... Until recently, office designers assumed we were all the same."
The Imperative for Change
Designing for neurodiversity, inclusion, and peak cognitive performance.
Noise
Unpredictable conversations sap mental energy as the brain works to filter them out.
Temperature
Being too hot or cold diverts brain energy to thermal regulation, away from complex thought.
Light
Lighting needs vary by age and task. Improper light leads to eye strain and fatigue.
Persistent mismatches cause "cognitive leakage"—a chronic drain on mental resources. EBW mitigates this by providing choice and control, which are fundamental to psychological comfort and accessibility.
The Core Principle of EBW
Trust that your people know how they work best, and empower them with the environment and tools to do so.
Principles for Workplace Leaders
Implementing EBW requires a new mindset, supported by intelligent design and technology.
Provide a Spectrum of Choice
Design a rich palette of micro-environments with variations in lighting, temperature, and enclosure.
Make the Invisible Visible
Use technology to provide real-time data on environmental conditions, enabling informed choices.
Cultivate a Culture of Trust
Actively encourage employees to move to spaces that suit their needs, without fear of judgment.
Design for Equity & Inclusion
Cater to a wider range of sensory profiles, creating a more accessible workplace for everyone.