Everyone knows that long hours of sitting at a desk in an open space are rarely synonymous with maximum efficiency, and often not very pleasant or even… necessary. That is why today, in many companies, goals are pursued on completely different principles and in a different style. Increasingly – in line with the agile philosophy.

Focus on efficiency, creativity and the potential of all team members – these are the features that characterize the agile work style. This philosophy, created less than 20 years ago, is taking new companies by storm. Managers appreciate the efficiency it brings and the comfort it offers.

Agile working is based on the implementation of projects – often short-term or divided into stages. Responsible for them are temporary teams, usually appointed from among permanent employees, but also specialists from other companies, independent experts and associates. This hybrid form generally also requires systematic meetings with the clients themselves.

The team meets once in a while, as a whole or in subgroups. Sometimes the conversation lasts several hours, other times only several dozen minutes. However, each time you need a functional, calm and comfortable workplace – that is, an appropriate room with equipment which can be used by other project groups after the meeting.

AGILE WORKPLACE

And here comes the question – how to develop an agile workplace? Contrary to appearances – there are many solutions. The first step is the appropriate selection of furniture that can be adapted to the specificity of meetings and preferences of various users.

Let’s start with tables. As in a standard office or conference room, they must be sufficiently large, stable, and easy to move at the same time. But there’s more. They should allow quick rearranging into desks, combining into one large piece of furniture, or even… putting away. A good example of such a solution is Yuno by Wiesner Hager. These mobile tables can be stacked up to 10 pieces. Based on trestle-shaped legs made of steel and a crossbar connecting them (the connectors are made of aluminum), they are surprisingly elegant and light – both literally and figuratively. The very durable table top is made of laminate, which ensures protection from damage. In addition, electric cables can be connected to the tables, enabling easy charging of electronic devices.

Mention should be also made of Maro desks and tables, such as Variant or Lano-E, as they allow for smooth transitions between standing and sitting work. The electronically controlled table top height adjustment system will be useful during conferences and workshops, but also during everyday work. Changing the position allows the user to reduce the load on the spine and, consequently, is much healthier. Importantly, Maro furniture has anti-collision sensors to prevent accidental injury while lifting the table top. Maro tables are also available for multi-person workstations, which can be easily combined into personalized sets. An additional convenience is the optional remote control, acting as an assistant, which will plan alternate work in different modes and allow you to remember the optimal, previously configured settings.

COMFORTABLE SEAT

Seating furniture is equally important. Here it is worth choosing mobile chairs and armchairs. A great pick would be VANK_CO – a family of furniture designed for co-working spaces (hence its name). It includes bar stools and chairs with a characteristic four-legged base with swivel castors. The furniture enables valuable mobility in dynamic workplaces and is properly tilted, which encourages a more active, healthier attitude. The seats are available in three different heights and have optional lumbar support. The frames are offered in many colors, which allows you to have fun with the final visual effect. Functional extras in VANK_CO include small clothes hangers attached to the back of the backrest.

Solutions such as Cosm from Herman Miller are also popular. These chairs, fully adaptable to the user’s specificity and preferences, provide comfortable support for the entire spine. The adjustment of the seat and backrest is basically automatic, so frequent changes of users are not a problem.

FOR SMALLER TEAMS

Designers have also devised options for smaller teams and solutions for common spaces: partitions as well as small acoustic booths, which provide peace and quiet, so often lacking in large offices and open spaces. In this respect, Mute stands out with its products. The brand offers a number of acoustic solutions that significantly improve the comfort of work. Mobile upholstered walls will allow you to quickly separate the space for tasks which demand focus. In the closed booths you can work independently or in a group of 2-3 people. Numerous acoustic accessories such as wall panels, lamps or towers, absorbing sound waves, allow for reduction of the noise level in the office.

For those frequently changing their workstation, Herman Miller has prepared an additional solution in the form of the Anywhere case toolbox. This handy suitcase will allow you to quickly and conveniently carry your favorite notebooks, pens and office supplies, keep them in order and use them wherever you work.

DYNAMIC AND FLEXIBLE

In a dynamically changing market environment, companies must be flexible and react quickly to changes. Modifying the work style not only of individuals but of entire enterprises is no longer just a potential possibility, but a reality that is happening now. And – perhaps more importantly – a reality to which both we and the spaces in which we perform our professional duties must adapt. Thanks to furniture and solutions like those described above, this task will be much easier.