Issue 1 Spring/Summer 2017
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Your brilliant office interiors newspaper from
Sit better work better. The clever workspace concept.
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The idea behind the concept.
We believe that “clever sitting” supports and enhances the workplace. Therefore we have created the “Clever Workspace” concept, segmenting tasks into six categories.
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Let’s get active.
The human body is built to move. Therefore a people-friendly worksplace should be designed to provide people with the opportunity for physical activity.
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no. 01
Outdoors indoors.
The word ‘biophilia’ literally means a love of life or living things. We have an intuitive and deeply ingrained attraction to nature. Biophilic design integrates nature into interiors.
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Clever workspace. Sit better - work better.
Hi!
Challenges in the workplace. Companies are facing challenges to create the best possible workplaces to retain and attract talent, and grow the business. This involves facilitating remote working but also defining the lines between work and home as mobile technology increases. Whilst also understanding the needs of all four generations now under one roof. Stress and back pain are a big challenge in any workplace and we believe that clever sitting will increase productivity, efficiency and keep costs down when designing the workplace.
The workplace is constantly changing. We are introducing more and more technology into the workplace, which makes work faster, more mobile and blurs the lines between work and home. There are four different generations in the workplace, each one with a slightly different mindset and expectation towards their workspace. That’s exciting but also brings new challenges to the way we design workspaces.
BABY BOOMERS
At Irongate, we understand how the workplace evolves and what workers need. We are passionate about “clever seating” that effectively supports and enhances the work environment and the user. This publication will give you an insight into our clever workspace concept as well as some of the more key considerations relevant to the workplace design of today.
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Mobile technology.
Four generations under one roof.
Stress is a global problem.
Back pain hurts the business.
Our concept. We have created “Clever Workspace”, a concept to enable the creation of a people-friendly, flexible, cost-effective workplace. A concept based on clever seating solutions to complement the workplace.
Contents Hello and welcome
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The clever workspace concept
2-3
Colour and texture
4-5
Let’s get active
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Clever workspace website
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Disruption?
10-11
Biophilic design
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Ideas & inspiration
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People-friendly
Flexible
Cost effective.
Sit better
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Key to productivity.
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There are three buzz words regarding the key to productivity: collaboration, activity based planning and comfort. Collaboration stimulates innovation and inspirational thinking. Activity Based Planning means creating different work settings that suit different work modes or activities. Comfort adds to the quality of the workplace and increases overall wellbing allowing the brain to fully function. 1 1 Collaboration
4 Keep the noise down
2 Activity based planning
5 Get active
3 Comfort
6 Colour and texture 7 Bring the outdoors indoors 3
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Sit better - work better. We have created “Clever Workspace”, segmenting tasks or spaces into six basic categories or main activities, showing examples of how seating can be used covering all work areas where people sit down. Thus enabling the creation of modern, flexible, functional and cost effective workspaces that support new ways of working.
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Clever workspace. Welcome
Work & concentrate.
Meet & discuss.
Learn & present.
Clever examples.
Relax & break out.
Network & brainstorm.
Wait & welcome.
Agile working allows for flexibility in the workplace, increasing productivity, making it paramount to include a variety of different work settings and seating configurations to suit every individual employee. Check out our “clever workspace” graphic to fully understand all the areas needed to create fully functioning, modern workspaces.
Welcome
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Colour and texture that works... The impact of colour and texture Textiles, colour and materials play a fundamental role in the office and should always be taken into consideration when designing a workspace. We know that texture and colour stimulate the senses and have an effect on humans and their behaviour. However, if you look at many office environments most of them are conspicuously devoid of colour and texture. We have immersed ourselves in the world of colour and texture to create a list of tips that help create a beautiful and meaningful workspace that keeps people engaged, inspired and refreshed.
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#1
Contrast in materials.
Our senses of sight and touch enrich our experience. Dark and light, warm and cool or soft and plush fabrics against rough textured wood or stone: The mix or contrast of materials creates energy and interest in the workplace. • Dark - light • Warm - cool • Soft - hard • Textured - smooth • Shiny - matte • Natural – synthetic • Pattern – solid • Organic – geometric
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#2
Bring nature indoors.
People spend more time at work (and at home) interacting with technology. By looking at the natural world for colours, textures and materials we can create a contrast to the flat and smooth surfaces of screens and devices. Interior materials and finishes and especially fabrics can bring a sense of nature, warmth and comfort into a building or office environment. • Colours found in nature • Textures that mimic nature • Patterns found in nature • Natural fibres like wool or linen • Natural materials like wood, metal and stone
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#3
Textiles keep the office quiet.
Textiles play an important role in acoustic treatments that help to balance quiet/private and public areas in an open office environment. Clever use of textile in various ways, in addition to carpet and upholstery, helps to absorb sound in the workplace. • Thick upholstery fabrics • Wrapped or fabric covered wall panels • Wrapped or fabric covered screens and partitioning • Ceiling panels • Drapery
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#4
Use of colour.
Colour has long been proven to affect people’s mood. Used the right way, colour can contribute to happiness and stimulation of the workforce and therefore it can even increase productivity. Colours
can be used to brand the interiors and convey the company’s ethos as well as organise buildings, departments and work areas to distinguish different kinds of use and activities. Of course, people interpret
colour individually based on their culture and life experiences, so there are no hard and fast rules. If the workforce likes the way the office looks the choice of colour is probably spot on.
Reds and orange = energetic, active, lively, stimulating Earth tones = warmth and comfort
Purples = efficiency, communication
Yellows = creative, optimistic, friendly
Warm neutrals = subtle sophisticated
Greens = fresh, natural, peaceful, restorative
Cool neutrals = technical, modern Blues = calming, tranquil
Metallic tones = rich, elegant
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Importance of movement in the workplace. The human body is built to move. Therefore a people-friendly workplace should be designed to provide people with the opportunity for physical activity. Simply put, a work environment that encourages movement: to sit, stand and walk around.
Let’s get active. Movement in the workplace. Sitting is the new smoking? Sitting is killing us? These headlines were inspired by recent studies1. These studies looked at the relationship between sedentary behaviour and health problems, like weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. These studies looked at many factors that have a negative impact on people’s health. It’s not black and white. Sitting alone isn’t killing us, but poor postures for long periods with little movement and few breaks for standing or walking can have an impact on our health and reduce our productivity. When seated: Sit well. Workstation with Axia 2.0 ergonomic task chair for a well supported yet relaxed posture.
No one posture is the best posture – changing posture is the key for a healthier work style.
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Take a seat. Sitting will always be a part of our work day. After all most office tasks, especially where workers need to concentrate, are still (best) performed seated. Often tasks are completed more efficiently and accurately. The problem is not that we sit but rather how we sit and what we sit on. Movement is an important part, even when seated. Office workers should and do change their posture all the time. They shift from side to side, move their legs, flex their upper back or recline. This is where a good ergonomic chair comes in. Such chairs allow optimal support and a full range of postures and a supported pelvis that helps keep a healthy spinal motion. Additional training on how to set up chairs and workstations, can take out a significant portion of the risk in the workplace. Especially common workplace ailments like back, neck and shoulder pain which can be prevented. It’s all about being comfortable and this creates less distracted, less fatigued and in turn happier and more productive workers.
Take a stand.
Take a walk.
REFERENCES (1) E.g. Too Little Exercise and Too Much Sitting: Inactivity Physiology and the Need for New Recommendations on Sedentary Behavior, (2007) Marc T. Hamilton PHD
Standing at work offers a break from sitting, helps offset some of the problems that can result from prolonged sitting and ensures employees stay in motion. Standing has lots of benefits: It burns more calories than sitting, increases blood flow, reduces static muscle load and refreshes and re-energises. These should be great incentives for workers to spend more time at work standing up. A clever designed workplace will encourage this by providing height adjustable workstations as well as areas for a standing up meeting. It’s recommended to stand on a height adjustable workstation for 1.5 to two hours a day.
Movement is healthy. Therefore it is important to take regular movement or walking breaks throughout the work day. And even the office offers opportunities to get more active: climbing the stairs, standing up and stretching, walking while talking on the phone, walking to a conference room or using the lunch break to go for a walk outside. Some offices even offer workout sessions or treadmill workstations. A workplace that facilitates workers to mix work and activity will contribute to healthier and happier life- and workstyle. After all, even light activity releases mood-boosting endorphins increasing the feeling of well-being.
According to Dr. Callaghan, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Spine Biomechanics and Injury Prevention at the University of Waterloo, workers should start to alternate sitting and standing at a ratio of 3:12. This ratio helps to prevent any strain or pain experienced when standing for longer periods of time. Practise is key. Overtime, workers should lengthen their periods of standing, with a goal of reversing this ratio to 1:3. In an eight hour working day that would mean only two hours of seated work. That would require quite a change in thinking of how we conduct office work.
Left | Standing up. Special Monitor arm to alllow standing working posture. Right | Walking. Treadmill workstaion as an alternative to a traditional set up.
(2) White Paper on Implementation of Sit-Stand Workstations, Jack P.Callaghan PhD, CCPE, FCSB, Professor and Canada Research Chair inSpine Biomechanics and Injury Prevention, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Axia® Smart Active gets you out of your chair. Sitting correctly and keeping active throughout the day is important, most people know this but it can be difficult to act on it and change your routine to include more breaks, more standup meetings and less time sat still. Well what if there was something to remind you? Now there is: introducing the Axia Smart Active App from Nomique. The active seat connects via Bluetooth to the user’s phone or tablet (suitable for Android and iOS, available at Google Play and the App Store), allowing the individual to track their movement or lack of throughout the work day.
Vibrations in the seat encourage the user to take a sitting break, whilst the app collects data to help decrease sedentary behaviour. This constant reminder with direct feedback helps to make user’s more posture aware and causes them to return home feeling fitter at the end of the day.
Download the app for free from App Store and Google Play. Order your Active Seat cushion from Irongate Seating today.
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in the know | Clever workspace issue
Clever workspace. Sit better - work better. There is no single way to design the perfect office space, however there are some key areas to consider when creating layouts and redesigning your offices. The images on these pages show some of the important spaces needed for activities in the workplace.
Cafeteria.
Breakout, networking, socialising.
• Eat, drink, relax • Kitchen area • Inviting, engaging and functional environment • Comfortable and varied choice of seating • Space to network and socialise
• Big modular seating island, scattered stools, small tables • Placed in the centre of the office this is a great space for a quick catch up • With bright and colourful fabrics = engaging workplace
Product match: Product Match:
Inspiral, Krib, Moka Felt, Chipper - Nomique
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Infinity, Chicago Modular, Team Up, Elements - Nomique
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Welcome
Open workspace. • Ideal for individuals that work in a team or jobs that benefit from collaboration • Panels and screens allow for some privacy • Height adjustable work stations to allow standing work posture • Ergonomic workstation set up with ergonomic accessories
Product Match:
One-to-one. • High back furniture creates privacy • For one person to relax and recharge in peace and quiet • For two people for a one-to-one meeting/conversation
Product Match: Lux, Elements Plus - Nomique
Pepi Mesh, Pepi, Ensemble, Axia 2.0 Nomique
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Disruption? Keep the noise down. The downfall of open space: noise disruption Many organisations have created an open workplace with the aim to increase collaboration between workers. Companies got rid of walls, doors and cubicles to introduce an open plan layout. Although embraced by some, in a lot of cases the open workspace has backfired. On the one hand it invites people to interact with each other, but in turn it increased the noise. Noise is probably the most prevalent annoyance source in offices, and can lead to increased
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REFERENCES: (1) + (2) Mix Interiors, Spotlight on Wellbeing, 2015
Noise is probably the most prevalent annoyance source in offices, and can lead to increased stress for occupants1.
stress for occupants1. Sounds like ventilation, phones ringing, people talking on the phone, conversation and laughing as well as teams working in the same room can lead to some serious noise which is distracting when you want to concentrate on the task in hand. Once interrupted from a difficult task by unwanted noise it takes almost 15 minutes to regain concentration. Clever seating, with wings and high backs can be used to create seating islands across the office, giving privacy for spontaneous meeting points in break out areas. Above: Lux Range by Nomique.
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Absorb, block, cover. Designers recommend three strategies for achieving a nonintrusive level of speech privacy. They include absorption, through acoustical ceiling, fabrics and carpet, blocking, through furniture system, panels, walls, partitions and screens, and covering with the help of sound masking.
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Extrovert vs introvert. All workers are different, some are extroverts, and others are introverts. One way to cater for different styles of working is to make sure that people are sitting near those with similar work patterns or subjects of study.
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Clever layout. Clever layout is another approach. The key is to offer a mixture of spaces that allow individuals and teams to move throughout the day and pick the space that is most suited for their task. Creativity and collaboration require the ability to retreat and connect. It means providing a mix of open and closed spaces, lounges and
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1. Upholstered desk panels, absorb and block sound and offer privacy. 2. Ceiling panels throughout absorb sound and inject some colour.
soft seating areas, conference rooms and break rooms. This flexible work layout can even introduce policies for employees to be able to reserve quiet space and collaboration space. Some spaces can even be designated “quiet zones” or “tech-free zones”.
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3. Wall panels add texture whilst absorbing sound on both sides of the wall. 4. Free standing panels are easily movable for privacy and sound absorbtion.
Pods, booths and screens create private spaces in any open plan layout, whilst absorbing and reducing noise with sound absorbing panels. Above: Elements Media Booth.
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Biophilic design. Bring the outdoors indoors. Loving all things green. As humans we are highly responsive to the experience of nature. In fact, experiencing nature is profoundly important for our functioning, health and well-being. A study, conducted by the University of Washington shows that both visual access and being within nature helps the mind focus and can help reduce mental stress and illness. To boost wellbeing and productivity in the workplace people need access to daylight, a pleasant view, spaces that contain natural elements or even access to the outdoors.
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The word ‘biophilia’ literally means a love of life or living things. (It stems from Greek “bios”= life and “philia” = love) We have an intuitive and deeply ingrained attraction to nature, and a biological need for contact with the natural world. Biophilic design integrates nature and natural elements, materials and forms into architecture and interiors.
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3 1. Place plants throughout the office 2. Create an outdoor space 3. Implement “Green Walls”
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Daylight. Multiple studies confirm that workers who get sunlight are likely to be more active, sleep well and are generally of better mental and physical health. In turn artificial lighting, including office lighting and light from electric devices can be disruptive to our system and can result in poor sleeping quality. Poorly designed lighting can also result in eyestrain, headaches or can affect our vision. Big windows that allow plenty of daylight are key to a well-designed workspace.
Patterns of nature.
Add plants. Placing plants throughout the office is a good way to integrate nature into the workplace. Studies have found that having a plant on your desk increases productivity and cognitive attention, as well as acting as an air filter. Beyond plants some companies install “green walls” or “indoor forests” to integrate more nature into the workplace. Even posters or high definitions screens displaying images of nature can help to improve the work environment.
The use of natural materials like wool, wood and stone connects the build environment to nature. Colour and textures that mimic nature or can be found in nature create a sense of warmth, familiarity and comfort into the office environment.
Room with a view. Another study has found that workers with a better view, judged by size and vegetation content, were consistently associated with a better work performance. The presence of natural vegetation, seen through a window or placed inside the office, also reduces stress and supports workers’ ability to focus their attention. According to the Human Spaces global study, the ideal biophilic space in the UK would include:
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20%
27% 22%
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Natural light
View of the Sea
View of a lake
View of the countryside
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Quiet working space
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Ideas & inspiration. Complementing the workplace.
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