Business Info - issue 137

01732 759725 41 magazine of postures and heights, as well as individual and collaborative work. As Gifford put it: “With a more agile workforce, it is crucial that desking allows you to do more with less.” While not a new idea, sit/stand desks that improve circulation and posture have become a workplace phenomenon over the last few years, as employers have begun to recognise the importance of ergonomics to the health, wellbeing and productivity of workers. Chris Batt says that in this respect the modern office is getting closer to the vision of a healthy office expounded by Herman Miller researcher Robert Propst 50 years ago. “In 1968, Robert Propst, designer, inventor and researcher at Herman Miller, wrote: 'Man’s physical machine has evolved to do many things well but no single thing continuously. The office can be a kinetic, active, alert, vigorous environment’. His Action Office system featured a stand-up desk that he argued 'would do more than anything else to overcome sedentary decline’. Herman Miller has offered standing surfaces ever since.” Batt added: “Research has shown that a choice between sitting and standing combined with training on the benefits of standing is most effective at reducing sitting time, which has benefits for the individual and the organisation.” More than 15 years ago, office furniture manufacturer DAS started designing height-adjustable desks that made it easier for IT and facilities team to access tech underneath desktops on bank trading floors. Lars Brown, account manager at DAS Business Furniture, says that since then their use has become much more widespread. “Now, sit-stand desks are unquestionably the most sought-after solution as our clients are looking for furniture that is going to complement activity-based working. The little things count, too, such as electric controllers with programmable pre-sets, which make adjusting the height of the desk easier in a hot-desking environment,” he said. Where to invest Tony Antoniou, managing director of Rainbow, an independent supplier of office furniture, says that businesses of all sizes are now looking to integrate design elements that support flexible and agile working and that to do so some will some will seek to save money on desking. “Those with limited budgets are purchasing the most cost-effective, but still visually pleasing and functional, desking ranges,” he said. “The company then allocates the money that they save to collaborative furniture, so even on a budget they are trying to fit in some soft areas and informal spaces into their office; what they save on the cost of desks allows them to do that.” He adds that organisations with more generous budgets tend to upgrade their space by using wooden benches and soft-seating, with a focus on breakout areas and informal meeting spaces so that employees can find a space they'd like to work in. “Other companies are focusing on more ergonomic desking products such as sit stand desks, which have excellent health benefits,” he said. A better balance Flexible working policies give employees more autonomy in when and where they work, but Steelcase’s Gifford points out that it's still important to make the office a space they want to visit and where they like to work. “While flexible working has its benefits, coming together in the workplace is what keeps employees engaged and helps them to build trust and collaborate. The key is in designing workplaces to be destinations that people want to be in, while still providing tools and technology to support employees when they choose to be remote or flexible.” Lars Brown of DAS recommends solutions that can be expanded to meet changing requirements. “We often find that a client may not initially want the entire office to be height-adjustable, so it is important that DAS offers solutions that are upgradable with minimal disruption," he said. In an era of flexible working, it is important to offer not only a greater variety of places where staff can work, but also furniture solutions that support their productivity and wellbeing. The modern office is getting closer to the vision of a healthy office expounded by Herman Miller researcher Robert Propst 50 years ago Cable management DATUM Flux+ is a robust sit/stand desk from DAS designed with both agile working and increased technology provision in mind. The desk features an easy-to-use electric controller; a management rail for monitor arms and desktop power modules; high-capacity cable management, with a full-width cable tray under the worktop; and optional leg covers that double as a cable riser and CPU mounting shelf. www.dasbf.com Memory settings The Autonomy Pro sit/stand workstation from Century Office allows users to adjust the height of their desk between 640 and 1300mm at the touch of a button. For added convenience, the workstation can be set to remember two user preferences (a sitting and standing height). Autonomy Pro comes with various safety features including an anti-crush sensor that detects obstructions. www.century-office.co.uk Retrofit motor KI's Work2 Sit-Stand range of desks and meeting tables offers flexibility for businesses exploring this new way of working. The collection can initially be configured as fixed height and upgraded in the future with full sit-stand capability from Linak- powered actuators. The desk can be set to remember a user's ideal sitting and standing height and features an integrated anti-collision sensor. www.kieurope.com DESKING SOLUTIONS OFFICE DESKING