If Only there were moving meetings to promote good health


says Alex Marrs, lead designer at Area Sq Regions


FX

Sitting down for long periods of time, in front of a computer, is slowly killing us, even if we take regular exercise. That's the conclusion of a major scientific study published this year. It reveals that compared to people who sit the least, those who spend most time in a chair have a 112 per cent higher risk of developing diabetes, a 147 per cent higher risk of having 'cardiovascular events' such as strokes, and a 49 per cent increased risk of death from any cause. Another study reveals that office workers should be on their feet for a minimum of two hours a day to remain healthy. The office furniture industry is already on the case with a range of sit/stand desks, chairs inspired by yoga balls, intelligent desks that tell you when you've been sitting for too long, and balance stools. But where the real difference could be made is in meetings.

Ditch the conference table and chairs and instead have a more mobile meeting. Standing meetings are quicker and more productive than the sedentary versions; meaning that people can get back to their jobs quicker, feeling motivated and refreshed rather than dispirited, lethargic and yawning. Imagine a meeting room with a standing conference table and anti-fatigue mats. Or a space with wobble boards to balance on. Or how about bringing the new treadmill desks, or specially adapted exercise bikes into a meeting room for a fast-moving meeting? What about installing a walking track around the edge of the floorplate and having a walking meeting, with a fast lane for the more energetic? Or how about ditching the office completely and having a walking meeting outside -- in the workplace grounds if you have them, or through a local park, or along the street, to boost exposure to natural light and build exercise into the day?

Today's boss is indistinguishable from their colleagues in seating arrangements, and today's offices don't just have meeting rooms and desks, but a range of spaces. Just as Gen X and Y have broken through office walls to create open-plan and agile spaces, we need to restructure the meeting culture. Not just redesign meeting rooms, but completely rethink why, when and how meetings take place. Some -- conference calls, video calls -- still need a more static approach, but almost every other kind of gathering would benefit from movement.

The benefits are obvious: improved circulation, lower blood pressure, reduced heart disease, improved mood, boosted energy and a sense of well-being. But there are also proven productivity benefits of taking regular exercise, as it boosts cognitive ability. Taking exercise makes us smarter and fitter. The building blocks are there. We just need to start getting samples to prospective clients so they can see and try them out for themselves; and help them to be brave. It's about taking the Gen Y way of thinking and implementing it in a Gen X way to create healthier landscapes. Create spaces for athletes, not the average Joe Blogs; design for endurance, the long-term benefits and sell a lifestyle, not a desk.

Alex Marrs is lead designer at Area Sq Regions, responsible for projects in the UK, Paris and Amsterdam.








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