Consequences of rationalized space and the potential in transitory lived space as recovery from work

Does the in-between exist? And if so, does it have any significance for our wellbeing? This  article  takes  on  the  vital  process  of  recovery  from  work,  and  we  argue  that  to  understand that process there is a great potential in what we define as spaces in-between. The type of stressors we are exposed to in working life, or due to conflicts between work and  other  roles  in  life,  mostly  have  the  character  of  everyday  often  recurring  strain  and irritation. This form of low-intense stress can lead to mental deterioration. When resources are consumed we need time to reboot and recreate energy. We need time for recovery,  which  ought  to  take  place  somewhere.  Depending  on  organizing  processes  in  our  working  life,  these  “whereabouts”  are  more  or  less  accessible.  We  argue  that  the way space is controlled, managed, experienced and constructed affects its potential of being a place for recovery. Through these avenues and with the help of a fictional story,  we  show  how  an  increase  in  surveillance,  control  and  transparency  rationalize  and streamlines the spaces in-between “turning them” in to formal and corporate space. However,  we  also  uncover  the  potential  in  the  space  in-between  and  illustrate  when  these spaces are successfully constructed and made use of as recovery from work. This potential  is  associated  with  the  process  of  re-constructing  these  particular  spaces  to  humanized meaningful places.