Business as unusual: König + Neurath

Within just a matter of weeks, our lives have fundamentally changed. Luckily, however, König + Neurath has already come up with solutions for keeping us safe and healthy in the workplace.

By König+Neurath and Julia Hauch for

König+Neurath

June 18, 2020 | 10:00 pm CUT

Physical distancing instead of social distancing: König + Neurath's solution rooms will enable us to continue to use the open-plan office in the future – and feel completely at ease

Up until recently, the term ‘normality’ always tended to have a somewhat dull feel to it. But within a very short time, it has turned into a word of true longing. Even working life is now filled with nostalgic flashbacks of everyday scenarios. From the sociable open space, where you can toss around inspiring thoughts, to the relaxed conversation with the boss in the coffee lounge, to the after-work game of table football with colleagues – simple, taken-for-granted moments that we now have to entirely rethink.

Health is a holistic state. With the innovative concepts and products of office specialist König + Neurath, individual work islands that promote concentration, interaction and ergonomics can be easily created

This is because every company is obliged to implement additional occupational safety measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further. Physical distancing as well as strict hygiene are still the top priority. In addition, however, a solution space must be found in which everyone not only feels safe, but also continues to feel comfortable and valued. As flexible and individual as our working life has become over the years, the needs and possibilities here are just as varied.

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Up until recently, the term ‘normality’ always tended to have a somewhat dull feel to it. But within a very short time, it has turned into a word of true longing

Hardly anyone knows this better than the German office furniture manufacturer König + Neurath. After all, it has been developing suitable responses to the changing demands of the working world for almost a century. Even though the pandemic has put all previous demands in the shade, the family-owned company based in Karben already has multi-faceted solutions in its portfolio that quickly and efficiently fulfil the required measures and, in addition, sustainably promote health at work.

Thanks to the modular and movable INSIDE.50 wall elements, open offices can be easily zoned. The transparent hygiene protection panels made of acrylic and real glass offer additional protection without losing touch with the surroundings

While the communicative, open-plan office was previously state of the art, the open space will have to be restructured in the future to guarantee the minimum distance of 1.5 metres. With the modular INSIDE.50 movable wall elements, open spaces can be easily zoned and transformed into individual work islands that offer employees the necessary protection. This system not only allows numerous formations and combinations, but thanks to the variety of features and materials, the panelling can be adapted to various applications and looks.

If the minimum distance cannot be maintained, while out in public or in certain work situations, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs prescribes transparent separation. For this case, König + Neurath has expanded its product range to include a high-quality and functional hygiene protection panel made of acrylic and real glass, allowing consultations and meetings to take place safely and individual workstations to be separated as appropriate. It can be easily mounted on any side of the table or fixed in place using a base element.

König+Neurath supports agile working environments whether in the office, as with the ergonomic K+N BALANCE.CHAIR and the height-adjustable TALO.S conference table (top), or the home office, with mobile TALO.S with the flexible TENSA.NEXT chair (above)

But it is not only these new protective measures that contribute to our well-being. The WHO defines our health as a physical, mental and social entity that influences our mood, concentration and performance. Whether before, during or after the corona crisis, only those who feel comfortable and healthy in their working environment can think creatively and work productively. A prerequisite that, while not new, is all the more important now.

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Every company is obliged to implement additional occupational safety measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further

Our freedom of movement and our posture play a special role in this. The ergonomic K+N BALANCE.CHAIR supports both. This comfortable swivel chair is not just a chair, however: flip the backrest and it converts into a standing aid. Those looking for even more personal freedom will find maximum individuality in the JET.III: its backrest adapts to the spine of the user and reacts to their body movements in an almost intuitive way.

Inspired by nature: The open office can be zoned even more naturally with green storage space. The filigree connections of the JET.III office chair – reminiscent of the ribbed structure of a leaf – adapt to the spine of the user

There are matching height-adjustable tables such as the TALO.S model, a timeless and multifunctional classic, or LIFE.S with round framed variant and casual design. Both tables not only offer plenty of legroom, whether seated or standing, they can also be combined any way you like – from individual workstations to spacious conference rooms with distance between them. Not forgetting the hygiene panels, which are always available and compatible on request.

In addition to ergonomics and regular movement, room climate, acoustics and lighting, of course, also play an important role in our well-being. Over the years, König + Neurath has developed forward-looking and holistic concepts for all these areas, which have become even more essential today and in the future too. Because, even if our idea of normality has changed, a health-promoting working environment still remains, by far, the most important thing.

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König+Neurath

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Karben, Germany