by Brianna Crandall — July 5, 2013—Vitra, a Switzerland-based designer and manufacturer of contemporary furnishings, introduced its new Tyde height-adjustable workstation among its offerings on display at the NeoCon 2013 contract furnishings show June 10-12 in Chicago. Tyde was an entrant in the Tables: Training & Work category in the Best of NeoCon Competition.
Designed by brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Tyde presents a new generation of height-adjustable tables by integrating sophisticated technology that remains subtle in design, says Vitra. The workstation incorporates features to address acoustic challenges of today’s open-plan offices. The electric height adjustment motor is engineered to be very quiet and is concealed under the table beneath a sound-absorbing cover. Screens made of polyester fleece effectively dampen ambient noise.
According to Vitra, the Tyde workstation rises and falls smoothly and soundlessly, making it easy to change between sitting and standing in the office—enabling healthier, more dynamic work situations. Height-adjustable tables can help workers prevent health problems that can result from monotonous stress on the body, and changing position stimulates circulation, which in turn increases concentration and performance, reminds Vitra. Typically, however, height-adjustable tables are designed only for a single workstation. Tyde expands this concept and offers the benefits of an up-and-down movement for double workstations, conference tables and tables for project teams.
The Bouroullec brothers also designed Tyde to help tackle the problem of the distraction caused by constant background noise in today’s successful contemporary office—often a place buzzing with energy. Tyde’s necessary technology is well-integrated and noiseless, says Vitra. Tyde’s electrical motor is of a quieter type than that usually used, and it is well hidden in a cable duct under the table and covered by a sound-absorbing polyester fleece. This newly developed fleece material not only muffles disturbing noise, but can also be used as a vertical screen to create a visual barrier between the worker and his environment, blocking visual distractions, adds the company.
Tyde consists of two round columns on sturdy feet. Its frame encompasses the table’s electrical technology, a cable duct, and the fleece screen. The table top and screens are available in a wide range of surface materials and a variety of colors. Additional accessories are optional, which make this dynamic table efficient and healthy while giving it a cozy working atmosphere, says Vitra.
