Jas Young

NATURAL MOVEMENT in the workplace Put Our Bodies Back In Motion

JAS YOUNG

CAPSTONE JAS YOUNG INTD 5002 | CAPSTONE 2021

INTD 5001

Abstract

It began as a result of a simple and disappointing experienc

ce I noticed during the 2020 summer semester...

While I was researching topics to base my project on, I attempted to perform a simple physical movement, one that was normal for me, only to realized that I suddenly found it unusually difficult and uncomfortable to do. I was trying to think of the reasons why this would happen, and I realized that this was not a sudden phenomenon. It slowly happened as a result of working from home during quarantine and not moving as much as I typically would during the day.

I was used to getting up and down from my desk during studio and co-op, but suddenly I was not doing that anymore. It made me wonder: if not moving was taking a toll on me after just a few months, how bad could this get over longer periods of time?

That is when I came across natural human body movements--physical motions that humans should be able to do with ease. Unfortunately, we either perform these movements improperly or we do not perform them at all. Thus, many of the movements that we should be able to perform are going extinct. We experience the consequences as injuries, weakened body parts, bodily strains and other health issues.

Intrigued by this idea and how we are missing such motions from our lives, I set a goal to figure out how to implement some of these movements into the design of the spaces many of us spend most of our time--the workplace.

I believe that it is time to get our bodies moving as they once could so that we can prevent injuries caused by our sedentary office lifestyle.

My capstone project will explore the use of this new type of office space with Outdoor Voices, an athleisure clothing company, as the hypothetical user.

The forms and materials used are an expression of the company’s brand, its inspiration from nature, and its mission to get the world on board with their Recreationalist lifestyle.

1

OVERTIME, WE STOP PERFORMING SIMPLE ACTIONS PROPERLY.

As humans, we are losing the ability to perform many basic movements should come naturally to us. We have made sitting for long hours daily o and, as a result of moving less, many parts of our bodies are underused used at all.

HOW DOW WE COMBAT THIS? To combat this, the reintroduction of constant natural movement must integrated into everyday design. Since many of us spend most of our tim the workplace, reintroducing these natural movements begins here thou unconventional design of our workstations, break rooms, gathering plac how we progress through the office as a whole. Moving the way and the we naturally should during our main activity of the day will bring simple movements into our lifestyles and stop them from going extinct.

s that our normal d or not

be me in ugh an ces and e amount e natural

2

WE WERE MEANT TO BE MOVING! Over

80%

of Americans work full-time sedentary jobs.

- American Heart Association

“Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity) has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality (6% of deaths globally).”

- World Health Organization

“... The average American office worker can sit for 13 to 15 hours a day, and research shows that vigorous exercise cannot counteract the adverse effects of this prolonged sitting.”

- Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO

3 The Consequences: - Stiff and sore joints - Weakened/strained muscles - Weakened heart - Weakened lungs - Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) - Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) - Weight gain - Disconnection from our true nature

If exercise does not help, then what are we supposed to do?

V

Less than

20% of jobs in the U.S. workforce are physically active.

- Johns Hopkins

S

4 The Benefits (when not overdone): - Improved joint stiffness and pain - Strengthened muscles - Increased life span - Improved cardiovascular health - Increased flexibility and coordination - Musculoskeletal fitness - Weight management - Reconnection to our true nature

What can we learn from the careers in which physical movement is typical?

Construction Workers, Steel Workers, Farmers, and more Many of these workers are good examples of proper natural movement still in practice today.

CHANGING THE WAY WE GO ABOUT

5

T OUR DAY THROUGH DESIGN Integrate Natural Movement Into Our Work Environment with a Design That: Promotes constant natural movement.

Decreases the amount of time we sit to less than 3 hours a day (any longer becomes detrimental to our health).

Incorporates built ergonomics with our natural way of moving.

Makes progress tangible to its users as motivation to keep it up.

Areas for opportunity: - Workstations - Gathering spaces - Break spaces - Circulation

INFLUENCERS

6 BuzziJungle by Jonas Van Put

A playful seating module for office spaces that was inspired by nature, landscapes, and improved social interactions.

Pushes the boundaries of the traditional office.

7 Epic Sky Trek - Castle Rock Adventure Park - (Colorado)

A great example of challenging users in natural movement with obstacle courses designed to push the body.

9

8 Experts: MovNat

A team of natural movement experts who delves deep into re-educating people in natural movement in order to improve their quality of life.

The End of Sitting by RAAF & Barbara Visser (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) A temporary workscape installation that removed the typical desk and chair as a “starting point” and encouraged visitors to work in a variety of non-sitting positions.

how to move WORKSTATIONS | STUDIO

SIT

SQUAT CIRCULATION

CLIMB

STEP OVER

STEP UNDER

SPECIAL

HANG

Out of the many natural movements going extinct, seven were selected due to how well they can fit into a work environment, allowing users to perform them while remaining productive. Some movements, such as HANG and BALANCE BALANCE, were included to incorporate something fun and unusual that truly challenges the idea of the traditional office.

BALANCE

MEET THE USERS

Athleisure clothing brand for women and men based in Austin, TX - tops, bottoms, swimsuits, shoes, sandals and accessories.

Promotes an active, healthy, recreational, and confident lifestyle.

Clothing is inspired by nature and recreational activities.

Changemakers who are “on a mission to get the world moving.”

Why is Outdoor Voices (OV) a good fit for this office space?

An office space designed to encourage natural movement is the perfect setting for the trend-setting Outdoor Voices team to test their own products. Such an office would also allow them to take part in their Recreationalist lifestyle while on the job.

10

11

12

13

SITE SELECTION Promedica Headquarters LOCATION: Toledo, OH Architect: Daniel H. Burnham, 1896 Renovated: HKS, Inc., 2017 SIZE: 42,370+ sf

The Promedica Headquarters has the volume and natural lighting necessary for such a nontraditional workplace concept to be successful.

Due to this project only needing approximately 20,220 sf, the rest of the building can be rented out to other tenants.

WHY TOLEDO? This new office style would bring modern trends to the Midwest.

Toledo has a quickly developing Downtown area.

Elements of diverse natural landscapes would be introduced to a region that is otherwise relatively uniform.

14

15

SITE Analysis

SURROUNDING AREA

GREEN SPACE

The site offers Outdoor Voices a variety of advantages, including access to important surrounding amenities, nearby greenspace and a river, and views to the surrounding city.

WATER

VIEWS FROM THE BUILDING

PROGRAMMING

WORKSTATIONS 1190 SF

MEETING ROOM 1 750 SF

WORKSTATIONS

DATA STORAGE 400 SF

1190 SF

RECEPTION

ENTER

STORAGE 250 SF

1000 SF

RECEPTION 1000 SF

PIN-UP SPACE 400 SF STORAGE 250 SF

1190 SF

MEETING KITCHEN ROOM 1 750 SF 1075 SF

4,075 SF

CREATION STUDIO

KITCHEN

1075 STORAGE SF 250 SF

KITCHEN RESTOOMS OUTDOOR SPACE 1075 SF 420 SF 3000 SF

PIN-UP SPACE 400 SF DESIGN DEPT. CHANGING RMS 80 SF

2000 SF

MATERIALS RM 400 SF

CREATION STUDIO 2000 SF

1,070 SF 1,400 SF 5,170 SF

MEETING ROO 750 SF

DATA STORAGE 400 SF

RESTOOMS RECEPTION 420 SFSF 1000

1,400 SF CREATION STUDIO 5,170 SF

MEETING ROOM MEETING 2 ROOM 1 750 SF 750 SF OUTDOOR SPACE 3000 SF

2000 SF

PIN-UP SPACE 400 SF

750 SF

WORKSTATIONS

RESTOOMS 420 SF

DATA STORAGE 400 SF

MEETING ROOM 2

MATERIALS RM

MATERIALS RM 400 SF

1,400400 SF SF

4,075 SF

5,170 SF DESIGN DEPT. CHANGING RMS 80 SF 4,075 SF

1,070 SF

1,070 SF

DESIGN DEPT. CHANGING RMS 80 SF

OUTDOOR SPACE 3000 SF

An office where the typical chair is not common...

Estimate Area for Floor Seating

Estimate Area for FloorTotal Seating area needed for floor seating: 77 Square footage given per person in a yoga studio.

2’

6’ YOGA MAT

2.5’

11’

2.5’

7’

Total area needed for floor seating: 77 sf per person Square footage given per person in a Why estimate using the area Why estimate using area given for a y given for a yoga studio?

Yoga makes use of numerous position Yoga makes use of numerous both sitting and standing--perfect for positions include what that is needed for both floor seating elsew sitting and standing--perfect for estimating what is needed for floor seating elsewhere.

EXPLORING CONCEPT

16 MOVEMENT IN EVERYTHING A bright, energetic, and social design studio where movement inspires furniture, architecture, and flow of the space.

A WORKPLACE

A workplace that takes qu lifestyle, blurs the line be settings and encourages c that everyday feels differe

17

E ADVENTURE

ueues from an active etween work and outdoor choice and variety so rent.

18 A BRANDED EXPERIENCE Promoting Outdoor Voices’ mission through colors, materials, and a nontraditional design that makes the workplace a true addition to their Recreationalist lifestyle.

EXPLORING CONCEPT: Diagrams

MOVEMENT IN ALL DIRECTIONS Incorporating a variety of ways to progress throughout the space that presents unique opportunities for natural movements.

VERTICAL CO

Designing areas that span use of the vertical height allow for movement in all

ONNECTION

n multiple levels to make of the building and directions.

VISUAL CONNECTION OF SPACES Giving users unique views from one area into the next, sparking their curiosity and motivating them to get up and move.

CONCEPT look & Feel

19

22

23

20

21

24

Inspiration from Outdoor Voices brand and mission: recreation, natural landscapes, and the vibrant colors found in nature.

25 28

26

29

27

30

31

MATERIAL PALETTES 7 1 9

6 2 3

8 4

5

GROUND FLOOR 1 ORIGINAL BRICK WALL 2 TREE TRUNK-COLORED WOOD 3 OILED WALNUT WOOD 4 MOSAIC PEBBLE FLOOR ACCENT 5 CONCRETE 6 7 8 9

PLUSH GREEN CARPET WALLCOVERING ACCENT COLORS LIGHTING

These materials reflect Outdoor Voices’ use of bright colors and natural materials in both their products and physical stores. The goal is to combine the clean palette of the OV stores with the heavy color saturation of their clothing and organic forms found in the nature that inspires them.

7 8

6

1 2

9

4 5 3

WORK FLOORS 1 CREME COLORED PAINT 2 CONCRETE 3 NATURE PATTERNED CARPET 4 YOGA MAT 5 ACCENT COLORS 6 7 8 9

HANGING VINES LIGHT OAK WOOD STUCCO WALLCOVERING

AREAS

LEVEL 3 FORMAL MEETING ROOMS ROOFTOP ACCESS

LEVEL 2 MAIN WORKSTATIONS STUDIO (LVL 2)

LEVEL 1 OPEN PROJECT SPACE STUDIO (LVL 1)

GROUND FLOOR SOCIAL STAIRS OCCASIONAL WORK SPACES EVENT SPACE

Circulation within this office consists of two types of paths: 1. LONG ROUTES, ROUTES or simple and easy paths that require a bit of time to reach a destination.

2. QUICK ROUTES, ROUTES or faster paths to a destination that requires users to perform unique natural movements.

CIRCULATION Traditional circulation Non-traditional circulation

TYPOLOGIES

IN-GROUND SEATING

BALANC

SOCIAL STAIR

QUIET

CE POND

T CAVES

SUSPENDED SEATING

WORKSTATIONS

Ground Floor PLAN

1

2

1 RECEPTION 2 CAFE / BAR 3 IN-GROUND SEATING 4 BALANCE POND 5 SUSPENDING SEATING 6 SOCIAL STAIR 7 QUIET CAVES

5

4

3

6

7

Ground Floor Experience: Hills

32 The ground floor mimics the forms of undulating hills rolling down into a valley, portraying the notion of a varied landscape in which users can perform many natural movements.

THE VAL

s and Valleys

LLEY

THE HILLS

The Valley: sitting in the tree

33

34

6

es AREA ELEMENTS Occasional office worker A bit of privacy Quick meetings Sitting in a tree, surrounded by nature Lighting that simulates sunlight filtering through a canopy of leaves

The Valley: balance pond

35

36

6

AREA ELEMENTS Central presentation area “Quick route” over the pond vs. the long route around it Potential transformation into a runway Sounds of water for immersion of nature

WHY PRACTICE BALANCE? Keep teaching your body how to remain upright Naturally improves control of dormant muscle groups, posture, agility, and reaction time Prevents injury

The Valley: in-ground seating

37

38

8

AREA ELEMENTS Occasional office worker Quick meetings Event seating Encourages natural sitting positions

WHY SIT ON THE GROUND? Promotes movement of the back, core, & lower body Contributes to spine health Improves flexibility Prevents injury Constant change in positions means you are being active !

The Hills: Social Stair

39

22

2

AREA ELEMENTS Occasional office worker Quick meetings Lounge areas Various ways to sit and socialize Experience sitting within hills

WHY CLIMB / TAKE THE STAIRS? Increases leg power Improves cardiovascular health Engages the whole body (climbing)

The Hills: quiet caves

40

41

42

AREA ELEMENTS Focus spaces Encourages unique ways of sitting and working Organic forms to represent hillsides and cave openings

WHY DEAD HANG? Stretches the upper body and spine Works our hands and wrists Keeps our grip strong

GROUND FLOOR - rendering

Work Floor Plan 5

O

OPEN TO BELOW

OPEN TO BELOW

1 WORKSTATIONS 2 BREAK OUT ROOMS 3 STUDIO 4 PRINT ROOM 5 KITCHEN 6 STORAGE 7 RESTROOMS

1

OPEN TO BELOW

4

2 7

3

6

WORK floor

43

31

44

AREA ELEMENTS Full day office worker Movable low desks for individual or group work flexibility Cushioned yoga mat flooring for ground seating Permanent desk station with monitors for dual screens Standing tables to spread out work Portable power packs for laptop usage at movable desks A design that keeps the user moving

WORK floor - iterations Several layout options were explored to decide which best sets the atmosphere of a design studio (teamwork, gathering inspiration or quick opinions from others, etc.) while also encouraging users to easily perform natural movements.

FINAL LAYOUT

ITERATION 1

ITERATION 2

ITERATION 3

ITERATION 4

WORK floor

BREAKOUT ROOM ELEVATION

WORK & BIKE WORK & BALANCE WORK & RELAX

WORKSTATIONS

Are you ready to move?

Natural movement is nee functioning healthily. Ther we begin to reintegrat Let’s begin a “new” w

YOUR CHA

Try going a day withou

eded to keep our bodies refore, it is imperative that te it into our lifestyles. way of healthy living!

ALLENGE:

ut using typical seating

THANK

NATURAL MOVEMENT

JAS YO

INTD 5002 | CA

JJYOUNG94@

WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/

K YOU

T IN THE WORKPLACE

YOUNG

APSTONE 2021

@GMAIL.COM

/IN/JASMONDYOUNG/

Image Sources 1. Ginny WW and Gaiam Staff, Gaiam, https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/do-you-have-to-sitcross-legged-to-meditate 2. iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/search/stack/791066712?assettype=image 3. Aaron Hwang, BU Today, https://www.bu.edu/articles/2020/ergonomic-work-from-homeenvironment/ 4. Ironworkers Local 720, Edmonton Journal, https://edmontonjournal.com/business/commercialreal-estate/ironworkers-unfazed-by-construction-jobs-more-than-50-storeys-up 5. iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/young-adult-woman-walking-up-the-stairs-with-sunsport-background-gm874231466-244113331 6. BuzziSpace, BuzziJungle, https://www.buzzi.space/acoustic-solutions/buzzijungle?s=buzzijungle 7. The Edge Ziplines and Adventures, https://theedgezip.com/packages/ 8. Erwan Le Corre, The Practice of Natural Movement: Reclaim Power, Health and Freedom, https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Natural-Movement-Reclaim-Freedom/dp/162860283X/ ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=movnat&qid=1619132126&sr=8-1 9. Jan Kempenaers and Ricky Rijkenberg, Arch Daily, https://www.archdaily.com/574795/the-endof-sitting-raaaf 10. Outdoor Voices, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/outdoorvoices/?hl=en 11. Outdoor Voices, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/outdoorvoices/?hl=en 12. Outdoor Voices, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/outdoorvoices/?hl=en 13. Outdoor Voices, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/outdoorvoices/?hl=en 14. HKS, Inc, Dezeen, https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/04/hks-revives-historic-buildingspromedica-urban-healthcare-campus-toledo-ohio/#/ 15. HKS, Inc. https://www.hksinc.com/what-we-do/case-studies/promedica-headquarters/ 16. Anna Positano, Dezeen, https://www.dezeen.com/2020/07/01/deferrari-modesti-rock-climbingstaircase-villa-tuscany/ 17. MovNat, https://www.movnat.com/8-daily-habits-good-natural-movers/?utm_ source=MovNat%25C2%25AE+True+Nature%25E2%2584%25A2+News&utm_ campaign=d91a19f70e-Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5e4dca9b1ed91a19f70e-411600809&mc_cid=d91a19f70e&mc_eid=6503521123 18. Outdoor Voices, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/outdoorvoices/?hl=en 19. Adobe Stock, https://stock.adobe.com/ee/images/successful-man-hiking-mountains-at-sunsethiker-with-backpack-pointing-the-sky-with-finger/403577454?asset_id=402876002 20. Tuscany Landscape, Italy, Pintrest, https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/758715868454279371/ 21. Brick Wall, Pixers, https://pixers.us/wall-murals/brick-wall-background-64783887 22. Elaine Plesser, Pastel Hills, Fine Art America, https://fineartamerica.com/featured/deep-greensand-pastel-hills-and-sky-elaine-plesser.html

23. Shutterstock, https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-relaxing-on-coast-growingsuccess-62509828 24. Benjamin Yeager, Navajo Trail, Fine Art America, https://fineartamerica.com/featured/navajotrail-benjamin-yeager.html 25. Outdoor Voices, Twitter, https://twitter.com/OutdoorVoices 26. Outdoor Voices, Twitter, https://twitter.com/OutdoorVoices 27. Outdoor Voices, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/outdoorvoices/?hl=en 28. Alamy, https://bit.ly/3ncBqvU 29. The Wedding Salad, WedMeGood, https://normalsweetsau.blogspot.com/2021/03/floor-seatingideas-india-how-to-use.html 30. Elko Hardwoods, Ash Coffee Table NO.131, https://elkohardwoods.com/live-edge-furniture/ coffee-tables/ash-coffee-table-131/ 31. iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/yoga-concept-gm881467902-245405302 32. Irish Hills, Pintrest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/569705421618276630/ 33. Nature Inspiration, Pintrest, https://tr.pinterest.com/pin/341147740504131674/ 34. Shutterstock, https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-6417431-sunlight-solar-power-throughleaves-branches-tree 35. Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/videos/feet-balance-walking-balancing-1105/ 36. iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/catwalk-show-gm157532410-11704660 37. iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/japanese-women-at-table-in-traditional-restaurantgm542184978-97032213 38. Anne Quito, Quartz, https://qz.com/quartzy/1065980/the-conversation-pit-is-making-acomeback/ 39. Mike Brandt, Daily Mail UK, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2151501/The-breathtakinglandscape-pictures-stunning-look-like-paintings-Amateur-photographer-captures-rainbowrolling-hills.html 40. Cave Hill, Pintrest, https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/416301559284830373/ 41. Van Staeyen, Home Designing, http://www.home-designing.com/best-cozy-reading-nooks-forhome 42. Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Belize, Pintrest, https://www.pinterest.com/ pin/675469644120229735/ 43. Daniel Hennessy, Dwell, https://www.dwell.com/article/an-atypical-modern-home-in-southerncalifornia-62ff5853 44. Floor Desks, Pintrest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/324540716888048339/