OfficeSense: Fostering Situated Data Sensemaking to Enhance Office Well-being

Office sensor systems often fail to present environmental data related to office well-being in ways that are accessible and comprehensible for non-expert users. To address this, we introduce Situated Data Sensemaking, a concept that enhances individuals’ ability to understand and use data by embedding it within their physical environment. Implemented through OfficeSense, a system that physicalizes environmental parameters—light levels, sound, air quality (CO2), and temperature—within office spaces, this concept was evaluated in a 4-week study (N=11) including a baseline week. OfficeSense influenced perceived data literacy and understanding of office well-being. Findings indicate that Situated Data Sensemaking supported participants in aligning their perceptions of environmental conditions with real-time data, influenced by spatial and temporal contexts, personal preferences, and collaborative interactions. This study demonstrates that embedding data in shared physical spaces can enhance users’ confidence in interpreting environmental data and foster collective awareness of workplace conditions.