Product In focus: Mitesco Acoustic Screens

At work we are surrounded by noise all the time. Some sounds are necessary, others are just a distraction.

With more Australian businesses moving towards open plan offices comes the increasing likelihood that your office space will have limited walls and closed offices. Instead, partial height screens and clusters of workstations that allow noises to move freely throughout a space are now the norm.

It’s far from a disaster though that all the acoustic protection we once had is no longer there. If we manage the layout appropriately and make use of some nifty products, overall noise will be dampened and your office environment will be improved.

One of the tools at our disposal to reduce noise levels while maintaining all the benefits of open plan layouts are Mitesco screen panels. These reversible panels are made in Italy and can absorb up to 95% of office noise through the use of a patented variable density layer technology. Mitesco is easily movable and comes in a range of colours. It can be wall mounted or positioned on an aesthetically pleasing stand. It is practical, flame resistant, fully recyclable and can help personalise your office space.

We’ve installed some on the walls in our own offices and meeting room. Come and check them out in our Sydney showroom.

Don’t forget your office layout

There’s no question that a well designed aesthetically pleasing office will impress clients and add credibility to your business. However, it is the deeper effects of a positive workspace that reign supreme. It will improve morale, increase productivity, encourage talented individuals to work for your company and ultimately make coming to work everyday a highly enjoyable experience.

Considering that Australians are spending more of the week in the office than ever before, it’s important to create a space with a mix between comfort, practicality and innovation.

Here are some general tips for the design and layout of your workplace:

• When choosing a space, look for one that offers flexibility with the layout and design
• Group people together based on the functions they perform
• Ensure that work surfaces are big enough to accommodate files and other documents.
• Use chairs fit for purpose, for example when working at a computer you should almost always either be standing or sitting on a chair with castors
• Good lighting may reduce muscle problems and eyestrain
• Place workstations near frequently used office equipment, such as fax machines and printers
• Include communal spaces in your office layout as these breakout areas provide employees a place to meet, collaborate and recharge their batteries.

A fresh office space can foster new beginnings for your organisation and ultimately expand your client base .The end of the year is fast approaching…come check out our office furniture showroom.

Benchwork Trak Featured in Another Great Fitout

We recently furnished an open planned office for City Freeholds new Sydney display office.

The space featured Trak workstations with grey acoustic screens to allow for both privacy and noise reduction.

Our Future chairs were used to compliment the workstations and provide a comfortable seating arrangement for all. Future visitors chairs were also used around a small Conti conference table to create a space for informal meetings.

The boardroom featured our Conti boardroom table with Baz chairs.

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Product Spotlight: Tex

Tex is the perfect way to leave your guests with lasting impressions, it’s contemporary and sophisticated aesthetics are sure to impress.

It features a sleek tubular chrome frame which elevates the lounge 150mm off the floor giving it a distinctive floating appearance.

The ranges versatility can be attributed to the variety of configuration options including two different sized ottomans and one, two and three seater lounges.

Filled with commercial grade padding and coming in a range of cashmere fabrics and leather upholstery with a detailed stitching pattern,  Tex is suited to reception or breakout areas alike.

Getting into the Swing of Things for Summer

With summer just around the corner, it’s about time we start thinking about those sunny days on the beach. Here are a few tips to get you into the swing of things:

1.  Pack healthy meals – the secret to a healthy mind and body is a healthy diet, taking the time to prepare healthy work lunches will save your hunger from driving you to the local take away shop! We know it’s not always easy to find the time, but you will reap the rewards.

2.  Get out of your seat – simple activities such as walking around the office, standing instead of sitting whilst taking calls and taking the stairs will all help. If you have a longer lunch break, try taking your workout clothes and going for a jog.

3.  H2O is the go – drink lots of water, studies have shown that drinking water before meals will suppress your appetite. Water also assists with digestion. It’s recommended that one should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day for optimal health.

4.  After work activities – stay active after work too, whether it be joining a gym, walking the dog or even doing the household chores. The more active you are the better, whenever you’re moving you are burning calories and getting fitter.

5.  Do desk stretches – keep your metabolism high by doing one or two stretches every hour. Desk stretches are easy and quick, see our Don’t Forget to Stretch blog post to find out more.

Brilliant Furnishings for OMG Projects

OMG Projects new Waterloo office captures the spirit of industrial-chic interior design. The bold and unique finishes put a contemporary twist on the conventional office aesthetic.

Our Trak workstations with neutral screens perfectly compliment the sophisticated exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors and wrought iron planters. Our Hush lounge and Dart tables put the finishing touches on an impressive office.

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Miro – A Big Hit at Sydney InDesign

Last week we had the pleasure of unveiling our brand new Miro chair at Sydney InDesign.

With many positive comments about the chairs comfort, quality and aesthetics, we look forward to it’s release which is just around the corner.

Thank you to everyone who stopped at our stand, we had a great few days and it was lovely to see a bunch of new and old faces.

Should you have any questions about Miro, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Miro to be Unveiled at SID

We are excited to announce the launch of our much anticipated Miro task chair at Sydney InDesign this week. Miro has all the hallmarks of a star perfromer and promises to become a signature part of our range.

We can’t wait to showcase it as a part of the Collection at the Galleria, 2 Locomotive St Eveleigh, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Please come and check it out!

The Beginning of The Swivel Chair

The original swivel chair was first invented in the 1800’s by former US president Thomas Jefferson to make seating more comfortable for office workers. His invention consisted of an English style dining chair with the seat and leg sections connected by an iron spindle.

Swivel chairs allowed workers to move more freely and quickly.  In an era where productivity was the essence of livelihood, firms realised how much more efficient their employees could be with comfortable and effective chairs. The old four leg dining style office chairs soon became a thing of the past.

More advanced models then began to surface, including the introduction of swivel chairs with castors and cushions. However, it wasn’t until about 100 years after its invention that the first upholstered, steel versions hit the market.  The advantages of adjustability, weight, cost and aesthetics were immediately greeted.

Between the early 1900’s and today, further advancements to the swivel chair’s design have seen the rollout of some of the ground breaking features we see today. Slimline designs and ergonomic inclusions such as synchronised mechanisms, lumbar and height adjustments, memory foam and mesh upholstery make swivel chairs the best they’ve ever been.

Top 5 Office Trends of 2013

The trend of the last decade has been open planned offices that for the most part encourage communication and increase employee satisfaction. But what are the top trends of 2013?

1.   Technologies on the rise - With tablets and multiple monitors becoming the norm, monitor armsthat cater for all different types of devices and multiple screens are in high demand. Tablets have become a critical and capable device for many (or all) business processes. A good monitor arm ensures your devices will be positioned in an optimal position for comfort and productivity.

2.   Is it Ergonomic? – Seems to be the question on everyone’s lips as employers seek furniture that is beneficial to their employees health, wellbeing and productivity. There’s been an increase in sales ofheight adjustable desks, mesh chairs and fully adjustable chairs. The shift comes with the increase in awareness of ergonomics and how harmful poorly designed furniture can be to our bodies and efficiency in the workplace.

3.   Awesome breakout areas – Boring breakout areas are a thing of the past, 2013 has been the biggest year for bold and well thought out breakout areas. Between ottomans, lounges, stools and trendy chairs in a variety of colours, breakout areas are really becoming a place where staff can relax and unwind.

4.   Be Green and keep them keen – Many people want furniture that is environmentally friendly from production right through to disposal. Lots of people are raising the question of whether their products can be recycled or reused at the end of their life-time. Being ISO 14001 certified for environmental management systems has been a great advantage for us.

 5.   Bench desking – Limited space has led to bench versions of workstations becoming the norm. Our Trak, Benchwork and Mint workstations are becoming increasingly popular. Benches can accommodate for more people and are also great for open planned offices, hot desking and activity based work.

Combat the Seating Epidemic

It’s a bit disheartening that more and more recent studies are showing if you spend lots of time seated you are generally more subject to health problems, will live a shorter life and are less productive than those who spend their days on their feet or moving about.

For most of us there’s no real alternative to being at our desks all day long, so there’s no surprise that more and more us are becoming victims of the ‘butts in seats epidemic’. Luckily, It’s not that hard to combat this epidemic. Doing desk stretches, choosing ergonomic chairs, changing positions throughout the day by using height adjustable desks, making use of more informal type meeting areas and working at counter height tables are great ways to combat the negative affects of sitting.

Height adjustable desks are fantastic as they give users the freedom to easily alternate their position from sitting to standing throughout the day. Alternating to a standing position during the day ensures the electrical activity in your muscles remains active, protecting against metabolic affects that can result in a whole host of dire consequences.

Check out our Lift height adjustable desk it’s available with electronic, wider or technician height adjustment controls meaning you’ll be up and out of your seat in no time.

Product Spotlight: Trak

Trak was released earlier this year with our 2013 Catalogue and has quickly become a popular choice for many recent fitouts.

Apart from its contemporary aesthetic, it’s popularity has much to do with it’s remarkable versatility. Trak’s unique extrusion runs between two desktops and allows for accessories and screens to be positioned anywhere along it.

The Trak accessories have been specifically developed to allow for flexibility in styling and functionality. Options include screens of all different finishes, planters, monitor arms and different sized storage boxes.

Trak is on display in our showroom. Drop by and check it out!”