Now, two applied psychologists have written a book that charts a way forward, showing how to create a more healthy and productive workplace.

The Power of Workspace for People and Business written by Schiavello's principal workplace psychologist, Keti Malkoski, and environmental psychologist, Jacqueline Vischer, argues that workers are the experts on performing their jobs, so this knowledge should be applied to creating the spaces where they work.

The pair highlight examples of how companies and employers have made the right workspace decisions.

Key recommendations include the creation of sit-stand work points and "retreat" spaces. Ms Malkoski said the emphasis was on movement in the workplace, creating different postures that benefited health and psychological wellbeing.

"Give control to the user," she said. "Collect data that can be reliably used."

Dr Vischer said there were different places to go in any building. "You don't have to sit at the desk – have a coffee, sit near the window, or a quiet spot," she said.

"Hot desking" has become popular, but Dr Vischer said this did not work in all organisations. "It's successful in companies where employees are not needed all the time in the building, such as management consultants, or people on the road," she said.

Ms Malkoski said furniture design was fundamental for Schiavello, as its main business.

"A lot of research goes into that. Focus on what the user needs. Ergonomics is fundamental, but above that are psycho-social needs," she said.

Dr Vischer said businesses should put a strong emphasis on process.

"We are not in the business of laying out a solution for every company. We can show a general way to arrive at the best decision," she said.

Australia Post took this approach when refurbishing its main Cleveland Street office in Redfern, which had been described by one writer as the "ugliest building in Sydney".

The project director, Claudette Leeming, of Melbourne firm Carr Design, opened the building to the streetscape, installed new glazing, created a glass atrium, a forecourt, a cafe open to the public, and a public meeting area.

Australia Post, previously fragmented over five levels, has now consolidated on two floors, with interconnecting stairs to encourage healthy walking.

"We identified with the Schiavello system, Ms Leeming said. "We supported flexibility. A space previously dominated by workstation screens is now open plan, with same size desks that can be orientated to suit the desire of the worker."

"There is no hierarchy. In general, senior people are in the open, but there are more 'meet and retreat' spaces."

Ms Lemming said large floor plates created expansive views. Ninety per cent of the staff were within eight metres of the windows, meeting environmental guidelines, she said.