HUMAN FACTORS & ERGONMICS
THE SCANDINAVIAN SOLUTION
AJ Products looks at how strategic furniture layouts are driving business performance to support wellbeing.
Forward-thinking businesses are discovering that Scandinavian design principles are delivering unexpected results. Simple, flexible workplace furniture and equipment that encourages natural movement and adapts to different working styles is proving surprisingly effective at keeping teams engaged and productive. For managers tasked with balancing health and safety requirements while maximising operational efficiency, the Nordic approach offers a compelling framework that addresses both essentials simultaneously.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SCANDINAVIAN SUCCESS
The effectiveness of Scandinavian workplace design isn't just aesthetic preference – it's grounded in research that demonstrates tangible business outcomes. When organisations invest in well-designed environments that prioritise employee comfort and functionality, workers consistently report improved health and wellbeing alongside measurable productivity improvements.
At the heart of this approach lies the ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’, developed by American researchers David Rock and Daniel Siegel and often used in Swedish workplace strategies. This research-backed framework recognises our brains need seven key components to thrive: sleep, physical activity, focus, connection, reflection, play and recovery. The premise is that good brain health requires incorporating these seven types of activities on a daily basis, much like how we wouldn't want to eat the same meal every day.
Helen Beebe, Managing Director at AJ Products UK, a Swedish-headquartered, workplace furniture provider, says: “We found that by applying this scientific foundation to our designs for both offices and warehousing, it translates into practical solutions that go far beyond traditional one-size-fits-all layouts. Add in Nordic design philosophy, such as ‘Hygge’ and the Swedish ‘Lagom’ principle, which promotes comfort, balance and contentment; it creates environments where employee wellbeing and performance naturally align.”
FLEXIBILITY AS A SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE STRATEGY
Traditional workplace layouts often create hidden health and safety risks through their inflexibility. Fixed workstations or workbenches force employees into repetitive postures, while static meeting rooms limit natural movement and circulation.
A zone-based approach doesn't just improve comfort, it actively supports different cognitive functions while reducing physical strain. When employees can choose between acoustic couches for collaboration, laptop tables for mobile working, height adjustable workbenches, or private pods for concentrated tasks, they naturally vary their postures and working positions throughout the day.
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Helen continues: “Workplace health benefits extend beyond ergonomics. Traditional open office designs can create challenges around cognitive performance, employee wellbeing and meaningful face-to-face interaction. Our Scandinavian design principles address these issues through intelligent space planning that maintains openness while providing necessary flexibility and visual privacy.”
THE LAGOM PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE
The Swedish notion of ‘lagom’ translates to 'enough, sufficient, adequate, just right,' reinforcing the Swedish philosophy of connection between modesty and joy. In workplace terms, this means providing exactly what employees need without excess – a principle that resonates strongly with employers focused on cost- effective solutions.
MATERIAL CHOICES THAT SUPPORT WELLBEING
Scandinavian design's emphasis on natural materials isn't merely aesthetic – it serves functional health and safety purposes. When designing different zones, it's important to embrace a variety of materials. This approach not only defines the purpose of each zone but also creates a cohesive overall impression.
This material diversity supports what is known as biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements
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