Soaking Up The Sun Helps You Work Better

As more and more employers are warming to the idea of worker wellness, they have also turned to reshape previous sedentary office environments into spaces where employees can enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and even the perks of working outside.

Current workplace trends have seen a shift from desk bound employees with designated workspaces to offices where hot-desking is encouraged through the layout of the interior, are key.

In a study done by KI, they found that a decade ago it was possible to estimate the breakdown of space to be on average 80/20, with 80% of space dedicated to individual work, and 20% allocated to conference and meeting rooms. That balance has shifted dramatically for many companies in recent years. Today, a 50/50 division of space or even 40/60 is common, with the greater portion of square footage now dedicated to group spaces.  More group space reflects a corporate desire for more collaboration, and a natural by-product of collaboration is more natural physical movement as employees transition between spaces.

These spaces are, however, not limited to the indoors.

The same study by KI asked workers whether their employers offered them a space to work outside. While only 15% of them answered positively, 69% of them said that they wished they had outside spaces to work.

While many companies and offices do offer outside space, it has thus far been seen only as a place to take a walk, have something to eat or even take a smoke. Mark Hirons, director of Interior Design at Canon Design, says that employers should make the most of their real estate by adequately transforming outside spaces so that work can be done from there.

Modern technology has quite literally untethered us from our desks and being able to, at least when the British weather permits it, work outside can have a massive impact on our social wellbeing and mental as well as physical health.

And to get you started on assembling that idyllic outside workspace, we’ve got the right tables for you.

BuzziVirgule Table is a versatile modern breakout table which is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Designed in the shape of a comma, a single BuzziVirgule Table can accommodate 1-5 guests, and when combined with another, up to four additional guests can sit comfortably. BuzziVirgule Table’s convivial colours and round legs, combined with its fresh shape, results in a vibrant multipurpose breakout table.

Straw Table L35 is a uniquely designed three-legged all-steel table. What makes Straw so different is the way the tubular steel has been shaped. Instead of conventional tubular steel forms created by soft curves, Osko + Deichmann have kinked the steel – the most direct and dramatic way of shaping a tube.

Ideal as a cafe table, bistro table and a table for office breakout areas or canteens, Straw Table is a versatile solution for such applications.

Straw is also available as a chair, easy chair and bar chair. View the whole Straw family.

Ciak Table designed by MrSmith Studio, is characterised by a simple yet playful design.

Ciak Cafe Table features three aluminium legs combined with a square or round table top. Extremely lightweight and with a fixed or foldable table top, Ciak is an extremely handy solution which can be used in any contract area, in both indoor and outdoor spaces as UV and weather resistance surfaces are available. Ciak Tabletop and frame are available in a wide range of colours to perfectly fit within the surroundings.