“Agile”, even working at your own desk.

Movement is the elixir of our life, and it’s a source of wellbeing and health also at the office. That’s what the Michele De Lucchi’s installation “The Walkmaintains and is proved by several studies showing how unhealthy immobility is and the physical and mental advantages of a dynamic posture, starting from the desk, which should be of the “sitting-standing” type according to ergonomists.

 

Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for all: people who sit for 11 hours or more a day are 40 percent more likely to die over the next three years. Of course, no doubt,  gym, walking, swimming, cycling, outdoor pursuits… but what can we do during the about eight hours a day on the job?

An office organized by activity settings proves to be healthier compared to the one keeping us stuck in front of a worktop, and those companies supplied with gyms, yoga areas and gym teachers offer their employees much more than a relaxing break; the same applies for companies, the offices of which are furnished with “sitting standing” desks, which is not yet so popular in Italy but quite widespread and even compulsory in several European countries, where Wellbeing Awareness is more deep-seated ( WOW! posted an article about sit-stand desks at Orgatec).

 

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(Caption upper photo: USM Kitos)

 

The quality of life can start from the desk: “We improve your life” is the motto of Linak a world leader in electric linear actuator (desk top height adjustment equipments).
Better safe than sorry, as they say, and health benefits (blood circulation, drainage, muscle strengthening,bone and skeletal systems..) coming from a sitting-standing posture are definitely proved.

 

 

UNI Rule EN 527-1:2011

There is a UNI rule still valid, yet rules are voluntary and maybe an incentive to make companies aware of this theme could be useful. The newest release of the European standard EN 527-1:2011 “Office furniture — Work tables and desks Part 1: Dimensions” replaces the previous edition EN 527-1:2000.
The EN 527-1:2011 specifies dimensions of work tables and desks for office tasks to be undertaken in a seated, a sit stand or standing position.

Compared to the previous edition the new standard updates the sizes of desks taking account the technological progress of PCs, now all flat screen (and no longer CRT), which allows to get office desks with depth significantly lower.

The standard divides the desks classifying them into four types:
Type A: height adjustable (the height can be changed anytime by the user
Type B: height selectable (the height can be adapted to the user at installation)
Type C: fixed height
Type D: height adjustable or selectable, with limited range of adjustment


The EN 527-1:2011 also introduces the concept of “sit standing desk” allowing the user to vary between standing and sitting position during the working day and obviate to spend several hours sited. This type of height adjustable desks are mostly used in the northern Europe.
The new release also presents new requirements, room available for legs has been increased with more freedom of movement or, regarding desks with fixed height, that height is raised.

 

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Walking …at your desk.

Why just stand at your desk when you can walk? A walking/working posture should be healthier than standing still… The answer is a ridiculous treadmill desk. It’s not a joke, a Canadian research reported in the journal Computers in Human Behavior shows that treadmill desk has a beneficial effect on attention and memory. A good solution to save your fitness center admission fee!

 

Status and dynamic vision also for the executive table( lower photos).

Element, designed by Foster + Partners for Unifor, is a board meeting of great elegance that responds to a more dynamic vision for the executive workplace. For the manager who does not like the static, it provides the twice use as large round desk or conference table, both allow the standing or sitting posture. The height adjustment of the heavy desk top sets magically pressing a hidden button.