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Archives for June 2009

Sound absorbing panels

Posted on June 24, 2009 //

Environmental health and quality are today indispensable elements that characterise good architectural design in both the public and private sectors. We are all aware of the risks deriving from overexposure to noise in the working environment.

ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS
The parameters defining the acoustic quality of a confined space are all interrelated and their values determine the degree of acoustic quality of a theatre or concert hall, as well as MEETING ROOMS, OFFICES, RECEPTIONS, SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, shops, test rooms, theatre and so on.
The reverberation time is one of the most well-known parameters in the acoustics field and it expresses the environmental “resonance”.
Another descriptor of some importance for conference rooms, places of worship, schools and offices, is represented by the Speech Transmission Index, which describes the intelligibility of the spoken word.

SOUND ABSORPTION AND SOUND INSULATION
These are two completely different concept. A wall in brick is heavy and highly sound insulation, but it is not sound absorbing. The heavier the wall, the more it insulates against external noise. Similarly, we can say that a fibreglass panel is light and highly sound absorbent, but it’s not sound insulating.

SOUND ABSORBING PANELS
A sound absorbing mechanism is obtained using perforated wooden, plaster or metal panels. The panel behaves as a large sound “trap” which can offer high sound absorption values. Our panel is a sound absorbing panel manufactured in milled MDF with internal resonators that make use of the acoustic properties of the previously mentioned sound absorbing systems, thus combining optimum acoustic performance with agreeable aesthetics. This panel uses three sound absorbing systems: perforated sound absorbing panels, sound absorbing resonators and vibrating panels or membranes.
The soundproofing lining systems lends itself to installation with any type of wall and false ceiling improving the acoustics inside closed rooms, where it eliminates echoes and absorbs excess noise.

Filed Under: Acoustic // Tagged: ,

Adi Design for Bea by Fuksas

Posted on June 17, 2009 //

ADI, Industrial Design Association, which represents the whole Italian Design system, has selected BEA as one of the best products in the triennium 2006/2008. BEA has been included in the prestigious ADI DESIGN CODEX ‘06/08 which represents the excellence of the Italian Design during the triennium and at the same time define the pre-selection to the most important Italian Award “Compasso d’Oro”.

Bea is an ergonomic chair for an operative life in office as at home. In its loaded version, it includes the strictest ergonomic and safety standards (EN, ANSI-BIFMA), while in its non-work versions it becomes a residential lounge chair. An internal frame Zytel 80G33 is covered with double layer of reinforced Pebax. The operative model is characterized by BeaRevo synchron mechanism with seven push & click button to adjust its ergonomic set-up. Indeed, Bea has special features that support the back, especially the lumbar area and also armrests are adjustable in height and inclination. The flexible and soft design belongs to Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas.

Filed Under: Design // Tagged: , , ,

The modern workspace

Posted on June 10, 2009 //

In June I entered for the first time in La Mercanti office for an employment interview.
My eyes were surprised and captivated by this innovative workspace. The different workstations: meeting-room, sales-room, planning-room and marketing manager-room, were divided by transparent partitions that with big windows made that environment luminous and functional thanks also to the complete harmony between the elements.

Now I work here, in these offices and everyday I can live better my job. Yes, because it’s really true that the evolution of the office reflects a change in ways of working. The open space office already widespread in American companies, helps to work like a team in a comfortable sitting.
Don’t you believe that a cosy and stimulating working space can benefit in terms of productivity?

Filed Under: Events // Tagged: ,

Improve office productivity

Posted on June 2, 2009 //

Whether you work from home or work from an office you spend a lot of time behind your desk. The wrong position can wreak havoc on your entire body. Tension builds up in your back, circulation is cut off to your legs, you’re a mess- so what do you do about it? Get ergonomic.

How to set your self up right

Proper sitting position can help you improve your physical well-being and improve your performance at work. An uneasy body can be severely incapacitated long before you even realize there is a problem. Sitting in a comfortable but well supported position keeps your blood flowing and your mind functioning well. A few points to consider when taking a closer look at your current office situation are:

1 – Your Seat

Does your chair have proper lumbar support? A good chair is well worth the cost you pay for it. Make sure it has adjustable support for lower back, and fits your body and supports your shoulders as well. Keep your chair in proper working order. Little tilts can mean you have to compensate for movements and hold the chair steady putting further stress on yourself.

2 – Level of Activity

Make sure your arms are held at a proper 45 degree angle and your wrists appropriately bent. A good ergonomic keyboard and a desk with an adjustable rather than stationary keyboard holder will make it easier to place yourself in the correct and comfortable position.

3 – The Eyes have it

Eyestrain is a common problem for people who spend a lot of time behind a computer screen. The height of your monitor and distance from your seat will make a big difference in your comfort and well-being. Getting an adjustable monitor stand can allow you to raise and lower your monitor so it is at perfect eye level as well as move it forward or back easy to adjust for your position.

4 – Pain in the Neck

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints of office workers but rarely to people understand that neck pain is not often caused by neck position but rather arm and wrist position. Strain on the upper back and shoulders makes muscles in the neck bunch to compensate and develops spasms and knots. Adding adjustable arms supports added to your work station as well as ergonomic keyboards help reduce arm and shoulder strain and ease the pressure on your neck muscles.

5 – Wrist pain

Carpel tunnel is the most common work related injury and it is avoidable. A good keyboard station, an ergonomic mouse pad that allows easy fluid movement and is curved to move the wrist instead of holding it in a stationary position are all easy to accomplish things that will relieve pressure on that sensitive tendon in your wrists.

Paying attention to the little things that keep your body comfortable and supported will ensure you have a long productive life free and be the successful person you know you can be 🙂

Filed Under: Ergonomy // Tagged: ,