Breathe better: How office fit-outs can enhance air quality and employee wellbeing

Could something as invisible as air make a visible difference to how we work and feel each day at work?

When we set out to design our new Edinburgh office space, we knew we wanted a workplace that didn’t just look good – it had to feel good too. At the heart of our vision was one essential element: air quality. As conversations around employee wellbeing and healthy workplaces grow louder, we’ve become more aware of how the air we breathe directly affects our health, focus and productivity.

We didn’t want to settle for the standard. Instead, we made air quality a central pillar of our office design and fit-out strategy. Creating a workspace that supports our people starts with ensuring they’re breathing clean, healthy air.

Why air quality matters in the workplace

There is growing evidence that good indoor air quality is a key factor in overall workplace performance. Studies have shown that clean air can boost cognitive function, reduce employee absenteeism, and enhance overall workplace wellbeing. With employees spending the majority of their working day indoors, we see this as an opportunity to make a meaningful, measurable impact.

Smart ventilation: A mixed-mode system

To bring our vision to life, we adopted a mixed-mode ventilation strategy. This combines mechanical systems with natural ventilation to provide flexibility and efficiency. Our office ventilation system plays a pivotal role. Fresh air is supplied to the back of the VRF (variable refrigerant flow) fan coil units, where it is conditioned before being distributed evenly across the floor. This ensures that enclosed spaces such as the boardroom, the kitchen, and the huddle room benefit from the same high-quality air.

Fresh air can also enter the building naturally through openable windows. When these are opened, the internal fan coil unit system automatically switches off, saving energy while maintaining air flow. When the windows are closed, the Fan Coil Units resume operation, circulating the fresh air that has entered to ensure it reaches every corner of the office.

Special attention was paid to areas like the tea prep zone and project space, adjusting the ductwork layout to maintain airflow balance. These adaptations were particularly important because our office is in a Cat C building within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where preservation and sustainability must go together. Our engineers designed a solution that is both respectful of the building’s heritage and highly effective.

Air quality monitoring in real time

Technology underpins our air strategy. We’ve installed air quality monitors in four high-traffic zones to track key indoor environmental impact parameters like TVOCs (total volatile organic compounds), CO₂, PM2.5 and PM10 (particle matter). Long term or high-level exposure to these can lead to headaches, impaired cognitive function, and heart and lung issues. This data feeds into a live dashboard accessible to all staff, promoting transparency and encouraging daily awareness of air quality.

This set up empowers employees to create and manage their own personalised microclimates. When levels of CO₂ or VOCs rise about recommended thresholds, adjustments can be made immediately. The result? A comfortable, responsive environment that supports every individual’s wellbeing.

A happier, healthier workplace

We have created an office that breathes with us – adapting and responding to our needs. The outcome is clear: better comfort, better focus, and a healthier, more motivated team.

While aesthetic choices like colour palettes are important, it’s often the invisible elements, like clean air, that have the biggest impact on how we feel and perform. By making air quality a priority in our office fit-out, we’ve invested in our health, productivity, and long-term wellbeing.

The future of workplace air quality

This is just the beginning. As the science around indoor air quality continues to evolve, we’ll keep learning and adapting. We’re committed to making smart, sustainable choices that ensure our workspace is as healthy as it is functional.

Because when our team thrives, so does our business. And that’s a breath of fresh air for everyone.