Samenvatting

Did you know that taking relaxing breaks will make you more productive? Not only that, taking breaks
can boost creativity, one’s ability to deal with stressors and one’s overall health! Still, not any old
breakroom will stimulate this. It ought to be a room which is properly researched, tailored to the needs
and desires of the people and facilitated. In other words, it ought to be an optimal Relaxation Room.
This research report shows how one can aim to advance the health and efficiency of employees
through reducing stress by means of a Relaxation Room. This research was conducted in assignment
of NoorderRuimte Research-Centre. Among other topics, the organization conducts practice
orientated research about the Healthy Workplace. This research is piloted in the company’s own Living
Lab meaning they experiment in their own workplace. As stress is a rising concern, gradually more
organizations are offering their employees Relaxation Rooms to combat it. In the near future,
NoorderRuimte would like to study the effects of a Relaxation Room in their own Living Lab. Therefore,
preliminary research ought to be conducted into how this can be realized. This report gives answer to
how a Relaxation Room can be designed for- and integrated into- NoorderRuimtes workplace. It gives
insight to how other knowledge-work organizations have designed their Relaxation Rooms, how a
room can be designed to stimulate tranquility, what activities can motivate serenity, how the
Relaxation Room can be integrated into the workplace and how its impact can be measured. All
information is tailored to suit the needs and desired of NoorderRuimtes employees.