Smart work places help staff wellbeing

An artist's impression of the now completed B:Hive building which has an open-air atrium. Illustration / Artist Impression

A North Shore co-working complex is now operating with the wellbeing of staff as its priority, says Paul Gunn, the chief executive of Smales Farm Management.

Gunn says the Takapuna complex, dubbed the B:Hive, is New Zealand's largest and smartest co-working building, taking advantage of the global momentum in workplace health and wellbeing initiatives.

"Huffington Post reports that when businesses invest in the wellbeing of their people and support healthy lifestyle changes, people become high performers," he says.

"The report indicates 51 per cent of organisations surveyed by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) said their wellness efforts improved employee satisfaction and engagement. The B:HIVE has pioneered this trend in New Zealand by making workplace wellbeing a priority in order to encourage health and wellbeing among its residents."

Gunn says the complex's internal gardens and open-air atrium provide natural light to all floors, while a HVAC system delivers fresh air constantly. An expansive modern design aesthetic accompanies many key components of architecture.

"Smales Farm and the B:HIVE have an ethos that is all about people. We believe strong employee attraction, retention and lower absenteeism are critical to business success as they lead to increased productivity and a fantastic culture."

Gunn says the large, open atrium with greenery reaching up through a tall central void welcomes visitors into a sanctuary that brings the outdoors inside. Casual meeting rooms and drop-down spaces on the ground floor create vibrant environments conducive to socialising and collaboration.

A staff breakout area in the B:Hive at Smales Farm on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Supplied

"Natural light streams through to every floor, injecting further energy into the building and allowing greater density of use," he says.

"Offering a flexible, modern working space that's seamlessly integrated with the natural environment, the B:HIVE encapsulates the importance of employee wellbeing within the workplace environment."

Often workplaces can seem stressful and overwhelming, but Gunn says the B:HIVE uses innovative ways to offer a unique working experience with an altruistic vision.

Smales Farm has well over 5000sq m of open green spaces, more than any other comparable business zone in New Zealand, he says. It offers a range of uses, including recreational and entertainment aids.

"The B:HIVE is not just a workplace, it's a hub for community activity, socialising and wellbeing. With a well-established place-making programme, food trucks, a brand-new hospitality precinct, an exclusive gym, transport links, outdoor movies, and a growing calendar of community events, Smales Farm is transforming how business is done in New Zealand," Gunn says.