Corgan and University of Arkansas Study Links Office Lighting and Layout to Attention, Wins EDRA Research Award
Corgan, in partnership with the University of Arkansas, has been awarded a Certificate of Research Excellence (CORE) by the Environmental Design Research Association for their investigation into workplace settings and inattentive-type ADHD. This research, supported by the AIA Upjohn Research Initiative, is presented in the report titled Focus by Design. Utilizing EEG technology, the study monitored brain activity during experiments in both open workspaces and private offices. Findings indicated that lower lighting levels enhanced focus, whereas brighter lighting heightened distractions. Participants who faced away from activity reported feeling 67% more insecure but noted improved concentration. The research underscores that 15-20% of the worldwide population is neurodiverse, with 15.5 million adults in the U.S. diagnosed with ADHD, resulting in 120 million lost workdays and an economic impact of $122 billion each year.
Key facts
- Corgan and the University of Arkansas published research on workplace design and attention, focused on inattentive-type ADHD
- The study received a Certificate of Research Excellence (CORE) from the Environmental Design Research Association
- The AIA Upjohn Research Initiative funded the project, led by Corgan—Hugo
- Findings are published in the report Focus by Design: What the ADHD brain teaches us about better workspaces for all
- Researchers used EEG technology to measure brain activity before, during and after interventions in open workstations and private offices
- Participants with backs to activity reported 67 percent greater insecurity despite higher concentration
- An estimated 15 to 20 percent of the global population is neurodiverse; 15.5 million U.S. adults have ADHD
- ADHD contributes to roughly 120 million lost U.S. workdays and an estimated $122 billion in economic impact
- Corgan was founded in 1938 and has 24 locations with nearly 1,500 team members
Entities
Artists
- Melissa Hoelting
- Emily Strain
Institutions
- Corgan
- Corgan—Hugo
- University of Arkansas
- AIA Upjohn Research Initiative
- Environmental Design Research Association
- American Institute of Architects
Locations
- United States
- Arkansas