Once a month, we gather a list of six stories from the furniture and design world we think are worth reading. This month, we’re reading:

1. Natural light in office boosts health, ScienceDaily

When planning the way you utilize your office space, consider incorporating exposure to natural light in your design. Studies now show that employees who receive more exposure to natural light in the office enjoy both better health and quality of life. The study recommends keeping desks within 20 to 25 feet of windows as daylight decreases in intensity the farther you move away from them.

2. More New York Companies Experiment With Innovative Office Space, Wall Street Journal

Many successful companies have begun to test creative and nontraditional office design arrangements. Instead of assigned desks, several companies, including Microsoft, have leaned toward creating open plans and office “neighborhoods” where teams are based. Comfortable furniture, diverse spaces, and mobile technology give employees the freedom to work in the manner they feel will be most productive for them.

3. 21st Century Organization Design: Integrating Work Environment, Work Experience, and Leadership, WorkDesign Magazine

Office design and corporate culture often echo each other, especially when spaces are used to reflect the company’s motives and manners of doing business. As organizational structures in companies change to reflect a less rigid structure, so to do office spaces shift their philosophies to incorporate the new manner of doing business. A dynamic, fluid workspace promotes creative and innovative work.

4. Do You Need to Break Down the Cubicle Walls to Improve Performance?, Entrepreneur.com

It may be interesting to note, General Stanley McChrystal utilized an open work environment to promote communication between civilian and governmental agencies. This new manner of work flow increased the Joint Special Operations Command’s productivity dramatically. As workplace design philosophies shift, it’s worth pondering whether cubicles are still relevant in the modern workplace.

5. Saving Introverts From the Soul-Destroying Open-Plan Office, Bloomberg Businessweek

On the other side of the open-plan office philosophy are the people who prefer quiet, isolated spaces to bolster both their creativity and productivity. While clusters of workers and open spaces often promote creative exchanges, they may alienate introverted workers who need a quiet place to think. Incorporating both private areas and public areas in an office’s plan provides work environments for all employee personality types.

6. Better Get Up for This, Humanscale

The newest and most talked-about trend in desks is the standing desk. Office designers and ergonomists are coming to understand the benefits of standing desks on employee bodies. An overabundance of sitting can cause pain and discomfort, reduce blood flow, and create static muscle fatigue. It may also contribute to weight gain through a reduction in critical enzymes. The best benefits seem to come from more movement, such as the ability to sit or stand to work as needed.

Office Design Trends

Trends in office design change frequently. Better research and more creative company structures demand a dynamic, responsive design. Benhar Office Interiors stays current with modern design trends, as well as the most advanced office furniture, to help bring out the best in your workspace. We invite you to see our recent designs here!

If you have an interesting article that you’d like to share with us, shoot us a tweet @BenharOffice using the hashtag #WorkInProgress and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!

Tags: benefits of a standing desk, design for environment, ergonomic office products, healthy work environments, healthy workplace design, natural light in offices, office design trends, unique office space, What's New