From ergonomic chairs to 'sunlight' lamps: Stylish additions to the workspace to boost wellbeing

DO you feel that your co-workers or employees do their best work in a comfortable and well-designed office environment?

According to a 2017 Universite de Montreal research, good workspace design and environmental conditions can lead to an improved quality of life for workers. A functionally uncomfortable environment can cause workspace stress and eventually reduce quality of work life, which in turn affects quality of life in general.

Such is the importance of workspace design that there is an international WELL Building Standard, a certification system that considers factors such as lighting, air quality and layout of the built environment that impact human health and well-being.

This emphasis on workspace design was also discussed in a 2022 McKinsey podcast, which envisioned the office of the future to have inspiring nooks, collaborative spaces brimming with energy and transforming the building itself from a vertical silo to an ideas hub.

"The office is the home of a company's DNA; it is where the brand's culture comes to life," says Ryo Kataigi, the head of Asia at Swiss furniture maker Vitra.

"Instead of monofunctional workspaces, the offices of the future will be easily modifiable. Sometimes we need open spaces for collaboration, for workshops and for team discussions. In other moments, we need privacy - a place to withdraw and concentrate."

One of the most essential components of the office is the chair, on which an employee spends much of the workday. Thus, an ergonomic option such as the ACX Office Chair by Vitra is necessary.

Developed in collaboration with Italian architect, furniture designer and industrial designer Antonio Citterio, this office swivel chair boasts an automatic synchronised mechanism and maximum comfort for every user without any need for adjustments, other than seat height. This helps to promote good posture, making sure that one is sitting with feet flat on the floor and the screen at eye level.

Available at home-grown multi-brand furniture retailer and distributor W.Atelier, the ACX Office Chair can be easily paired with other furnishing solutions.

Best of both worlds

In addition to the quintessential office chair, other types of seating may be needed for various occasions and functions. They can also be used to perk up any workspace.

The Standard Chair by Vitra dates back to 1934, when it was created by French designer, architect and engineer Jean Prouve.

The understated yet elegant design was born out of a smart concept - the back legs of the chair, which support the weight of the sitter's upper body, are made of voluminous hollow sections that transfer the primary stress to the floor. This leads to a more efficient use of material, as less is needed for the front legs that bear a much lighter load.

Another minimalist yet thoughtful addition to any office is the Artek Stool 60, which was designed 90 years ago by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Artek is a Finnish furniture company that is owned by Vitra.

To mark this milestone, anniversary editions have been developed, the first being Stool 60 Konstrasti, which sees the economic use of wood offcuts from the legs in the construction of the seat. These stools are also highly functional, and can be quickly stacked up for storage, till the next office party.

Consider also the new Abalon Sofa, a Vitra creation developed together with Parisian designer brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. The inviting plush sofa takes its name from the shell of a sea snail, evoking a circle with its organically curved shape.

Quite a statement piece in the office, it has sensuous curves that can immediately soften the hard edges so often present in the concrete jungle.

Invite collaboration through design

Another innovative creation by the Bouroullecs is the Joyn 2, the new take on the 2002 original, an office table typology that promotes dynamic, spontaneous collaboration. This is key, when so many workplaces nowadays thrive on teams that operate cross-functionally to succeed.

The design methodology of Joyn is simple: It is intended it to be a simple, custom-sized table with a large, bare top. Flexibility is provided through screens and containers, which can be attached and rearranged according to different and changing work situations, as well as individual preferences.

For Joyn 2, sustainability gets a boost with screens manufactured from cork, desk pads made from recycled leather remnants from Vitra's furniture production, and where possible, plastic parts fabricated from recycled materials.

Design-wise, this updated version has a more contemporary appeal and a harmonious colour scheme that complements both corporate and workshop-style environments. It also comes in Meet and Touchdown variations, for both conference-style layouts and work pods for focused tasks. Both are available in sitting and standing-height versions.

Joyn 2 Meet offers a space for meetings with tables ranging from dimensions for 2 to 10 people, while Joyn 2 Touchdown tables, on the other hand, are designed for temporary use.

This way, the user has quick and easy access to power and data options, while screens provide acoustic and visual privacy for focused tasks.

Co-workers can even pull up a couple of portable Stool 60s to have informal discussions around the Joyn 2, thanks to the unobstructive four-legged design and a table length that can expand up to 6.4 metres.

A sanctuary of focus through lighting

Constant exposure to office lighting may be hard on the eyes in the long run as well as take a mental toll on us.

If floor-to-ceiling windows and alfresco workspaces are not an option, a sanctuary of focus could be recreated with diffused lighting and more natural lighting effects that can mimic the dappling of sunlight, such as with Artek's Kori Lamp.

Part of a new lighting range designed by Stockholm-based TAF Studio, the Kori Lamp has a central "basket" design element. This component is what makes it unique, illuminating spaces with a blend of direct and indirect light, akin to the scattered rays passing through tree leaves.

According to the studio, it "wanted to achieve an atmospheric and glare-free light with different models adjusted to different spaces and contexts" when designing the Kori Lamp.

Whether it is adding a statement piece of furniture or a tiny item to enliven a work desk, enhancing even the barest of office spaces just takes a few furnishing touches. Being smart with your choices matters, so always opt for pieces that boast both finesse and function.

Experience the beautiful designs from Vitra and Artek at at W.Atelier's Vitra Store Singapore at #14-08 Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169074. Or find out more information here.