Smart Solutions in Office Design

5 years after the furnishing of Jungheinrichs new factory, Vital-Office is again the supplier for Jungheinrichs new HQ and SO. Green bamboo desks are chosen again. Rectangular desk tops with height adjustable bases are added new. And the ergonomic saddle like WEY-chair was choosen again, but in 3rd generation technique and design. Electric installation and plug-in possibilities from top of table and from below table top was a special concern. Acoustic partitions are especially made for height adjustable stand-up desks. The acoustic panel is lifted always by the highest table top. This ensures, that all sticky notes on the screens are always available to the users on both sides.

We have very intensely studied Feng Shui and found that many basic parts of Feng Shui are corresponding with ergonomics. The difference mainly is the kind of language used. While ergonomics is in scientific abstract language, Feng Shui describes complex psychological issues in an easy understandable picture like language.

To enhance collaboration also some structural methods of Feng Shui fit well to structure office.

In order for a room acoustic measure to be calculated and assessed realistically, well-founded acoustic physical basic knowledge and practical experience is appropriate. In particular, the initial values of reality must be determined accordingly. For sensitive areas, the measurement should be carried out professionally by an acoustic expert. Alternatively, at least a provisional measurement should be performed with a phone app repeatedly. The provisional measurement serves only as a guideline for the selection of the room materials and their absorption coefficients in the acoustic calculator. Basically, any calculation without professional measurements of the initial situation is hypothetical!

Example:

Low frequencies are absorbed differently than high frequencies. Glass surfaces (Windows) or a normal office cabinet made of chipboard in different thicknesses, when you hit the resonance of the deep tones, can act for the low frequencies absorbing. However, a correct calculation is hardly possible due to the lack of measured data of the objects. On the basis of a measurement, special depth absorbers (vibrating resonators) need to be specifically set.

The calculations are based on measured data from objects and materials. Some of these are listed in the DIN 18041 exemplary. Others are taken from various sources for their correctness and conformity with the actual existing object or material there is no guarantee.

Area is important-small elements, for example, are simply overlooked by lower frequencies due to the long wavelength. Even with a-class absorbers, an adequately large absorbing surface is required in relation to the size of the room. In communication rooms, absorbers on the ceiling are sparingly and consciously dealt with. Here is more of a reflection desired!

Vital-Office therefore recommends the use of flexible acoustically effective products. Acoustic products that are divisible and easy to install and can be easily removed if necessary. This makes the investment in acoustically effective products more sustainable, more economical and more effective. For example, the VitAcoustic 3d frames. The VitAcoustic 3d frames have additional positive acoustic properties (among others on the lower frequencies) through the nested bamboo solid wood frames.

P.S. in the table "VO01" of the acoustic calculator, example values for a conference room and in VO02 for a club room are entered according to the adjacent 360 degree panorama picture.

Contributors to the Project acoustic calculator:

We are happy to share the original Excel with a contributing community similar to an open source project. Interested parties are kindly asked to contact [email protected] by e-mail. Further development steps are:

Extension and addition of the material and object database, in particular measured values of standard furnishings or entire exemplary facilities by room size.

Extension by further calculation formulas (currently only Sabine was chosen) and their comparative comparison.

In the Vital-Office Concept (published as book) the objectives and influence factors of human stress-free and healthy Office design is defined. Among other things it is assumed that the value of our environment affects the quality of our work. The psychological factors involved are complex. ... The desk is a tool that allows you to work with ease and same time is influencing your long term health. It is the heart piece of office furniture.

The quality of our environment determines the quality of our work. This is well known today. So radically efficient, such as a clean city reduce the crime rate (see David Coleman "Social Intelligence" example of New York), so easily a quality furniture improves the mindfulness at work. The psychological factors are complex. But it is possible to observe yourself and get a feel for how an environment or furnishing affects you. Usually you will learn very spontaneously, what kind of work quality and productivity in this office can be achieved and which are not.  The desk is a tool that allows you to work with ease and same time is influencing your long term health. It is the heart piece of office furniture.

1. The advantage of a desktop in bamboo solid wood is in the sustainability and quality, combined with an affordable price.
2. The advantage for the entrepreneur is improved quality of work, mindfulness, and attractiveness.
3. The advantage for the employee is appreciation and "feel good".