Human-centered cleanroom

Innovation in cleanroom design for a new frontier of well-being and productivity

Cleanrooms, the beating heart of many industrial sectors including pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, are designed to ensure stringent standards of cleanliness, sterility, and safety. However, these traditionally "cold" environments, devoid of visual stimuli, can compromise the psychophysical well-being of operators, negatively affecting productivity and the quality of work carried out within them.

Promotional video for the Dondup brand. Filming took place at the Euronovis manufacturing laboratory, entirely built with Nicomac cleanrooms and production equipment. Director ©Lorenzo Gironi

Nicomac Mangini redefines the concept of cleanrooms with the innovative Human-Centered Cleanroom project, placing the well-being of operators at the core of the design for controlled contamination environments.

Humanization of Cleanrooms: Why It Is Important

Work environments like cleanrooms are often perceived as alienating, with uniform white walls, lack of natural light, and visual monotony.

These conditions, although commonly justified by the essential hygiene and safety requirements, can have negative effects on the psychological and physiological well-being of operators, exposing them to prolonged stress and leading to adverse consequences for work activities, including productivity and safety.

From a psychological perspective, working in completely white spaces, devoid of visual stimuli or personalization, can exacerbate feelings of alienation and monotony. The lack of natural elements or visual variation leads to a reduction in sensory stimulation, a condition that has been linked to decreased motivation and productivity. Moreover, the repetitiveness of the environment can contribute to increased anxiety and depression, with negative consequences for both the quality of work life and, indirectly, the quality of the work performed.

From a physical perspective, prolonged exposure to environments like traditional cleanrooms can not only worsen existing symptoms or conditions but also lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, increased blood pressure, and elevated cortisol levels. In other words, it can result in symptoms of chronic stress.

A future in color:
from the operating room to the cleanroom.

The extensive experience of the Mangini Group in the healthcare sector has enabled Nicomac to envision innovative design solutions for cleanrooms that combine production efficiency with the psychological and physical well-being of operators.

Until recently, operating rooms were seen as highly impersonal spaces, dominated by steel as the ultimate hygienic material to minimize potential sources of contamination. However, in just a few years, healthcare companies, designers, and architects have reimagined operating rooms, fully adhering to regulations. These "cold" critical environments have been transformed into spaces that ensure the same level of safety while integrating improved sensory comfort. Today, colors and natural images play a key role in operating rooms, making the long and complex work of surgeons and healthcare professionals more sustainable and pleasant.

Even in a highly regulated environment like the cleanroom, innovative design solutions can successfully combine compliance with hygiene standards, production efficiency, and the psychophysical well-being of operators. Nicomac Mangini offers cutting-edge technologies to bring color, nature, and personalization into cleanrooms:

Glass walls with internal digital printing: customizable with high-resolution images on both sides, offering strong visual impact and resistance to the main chemical agents used in cleanroom cleaning.

NICOFIT multilayer film: an adhesive multilayer PVC/PET film that allows for decorating or refurbishing surfaces while ensuring both aesthetic and functional continuity, without compromising hygienic properties or resistance to the main chemical agents used in cleanroom sanitization.

Digital photographic printing on panel: images are printed directly onto the modular panel, with a matte surface treatment. The panels are solvent-resistant and ideal for creating visually stimulating environments.

The Benefits of a Human-Centered Cleanroom

Environmental ergonomics focuses on optimizing the interaction between humans and the environments in which they work, emphasizing comfort, efficiency, and psychophysical well-being. Nicomac applies this approach to cleanroom design, opening a new frontier for improving operator well-being and, as a result, production quality. The introduction of these design elements can lead to numerous benefits—for both employees and the company.

Operator well-being: more comfortable environments enhance the quality of work life..

Increased productivity: greater focus and operational accuracy.

Reduced absenteeism: a healthy and stimulating work environment lowers turnover.

Corporate competitiveness: ergonomic design enhances the image of an innovative, people-focused company.

Image created by AI

Bringing Nature into Cleanrooms: Why and How to Do It

Environmental psychology and recent research have revealed that the introduction of natural or biophilic elements can reduce work-related stress by 37%, increase productivity by 11%, improve performance quality by 10 to 25%, and reduce absenteeism by 16% (Italian Academy of Biophilia, September 2024).

AEven in a regulated environment like Cleanrooms, it is possible to introduce biophilic design elements and achieve the same benefits through indirect experiences: images of nature, natural colors, principles of mobility and orientation, simulation of natural light and air, natural shapes and figures, evocation of nature, natural geometries, and biomimicry.

With Human-Centered Cleanroom, Nicomac Mangini provides a concrete solution to an emerging need: improving the well-being of operators to generate added value for companies.

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