Varn Media’s Woodland Office: Work, Naturally.

Varn Media’s Woodland Office: A Model for Nature-Based Workspaces

In a world where workplace design is evolving to prioritise employee wellbeing and sustainability, Varn Media has taken a bold step forward with its innovative woodland office. We caught up with Tom Vaughton of Varn Media to discuss the origins, benefits, and challenges of their nature-based workspace. 

From Team-Building to Full-Fledged Woodland Office

The concept of the woodland office emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when Varn Media organised team-building days in a nearby forest. Recognising the positive impact of nature on employee morale and collaboration, they expanded the initiative into a fully operational woodland workspace. Today, the office consists of a lush green space populated with 35,000 trees, powered by solar energy, and a 15kW battery system. It’s also equipped with eco-friendly features like compost toilets and a locally sourced cain for winter use. 

Boosting Productivity and Wellbeing

Varn Media’s woodland office has delivered remarkable results:

Enhanced productivity

• Employees working in the woodland office reported an 87% productivity rate, significantly higher than the 79% recorded in a traditional office settings. 

Improved recruitment and retention

• The natural workspace has made Varn Media a highly attractive employer, reducing turnover and the costs associated with recruitment. 

Team bonding and creativity

• Employees have experienced stronger collaboration and heightened creativity through intentional workplace design. 

Cost savings

• By offsetting carbon emissions with tree planting, the company has reduced its reliance on traditional (and costly) carbon offsetting methods. 

Practical Implementation for Other Businesses

While not every company can establish a full woodland office, Varn Media’s experience offers valuable lessons for organisations looking to incorporate nature into their work environment:

Encourage walking meetings:

• Movement into natural environments can improve focus and creativity. As Tom Vaughton put it, “Getting into the mindset, is this meeting appropriate for a walk?”, if it’s something to talk about more creatively than looking at a laptop screen or taking notes. 

Introduce longer lunch breaks:

• Allowing employees more time to engage with nature can enhance wellbeing. Tom Vaughton noted that Varn Media encourages restructuring the work day to incorporate a walk over lunchtime. 

Adopt flexible work environments:

• Offices should be designed with intention, focusing on employee comfort rather than cost alone. 

Community and Environmental Contributions

Beyond benefiting employees, Varn Media’s woodland office has made a positive impact on the local community:

• Hosting events for organisations such as Girl Guides.

• Organising networking events for local businesses.

• Contributing to biodiversity and environmental conservation efforts.

Looking Ahead

Varn Media plans to continue evolving its woodland office by:

• Sharing photos and event details to inspire other companies. 

• Gathering more data on employee satisfaction and productivity. 

• Formalising nature-based policies to enhance workplace benefits. 

• Adapting the workspace based on team feedback and emerging sustainability trends. 

The success of Varn Media’s woodland office highlights the transformative power of nature-first workspaces. Varn Media’s model serves as an inspiration for a healthier, happier, and more sustainable workforce.