New research has established a link between improved cognition and sleep patterns for people working in green buildings. They scored over 25 per cent higher than workers in buildings that had not received green certification when tested on their ability to think and plan in normal work scenarios, reported the Guardian. Workers in green offices also reported 30 per cent fewer symptoms of ‘sick building syndrome’, such as headaches, eye irritation and respiratory ailments, offsetting concerns that increased energy efficiency has a negative impact on ventilation.

One of the more provocative findings in the study is that people working in green buildings exhibited improved sleep patterns, scoring six per cent higher sleep scores. “It suggests that buildings impact us after the eight hours we are in there for our work day,” said Joseph Allen of Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

While the improved performance and sleep benefits of the green buildings are connected to better ventilation, lighting and heat control, the Harvard researchers also found that more subjective aspects including beautiful design may also make workers happier and more productive.

“We see this additional, building-level effect,” said Allen. “There is absolutely a psychological as well as a physiological impact of being in better buildings and I think they are both critically important.”