ABSTRACT
Sedentary work was the exception rather than the rule and the forerunners of offices were the Monastic Scriptoria of medieval times. The ivory relief depicts the Pope at work hunched over his desk in what appears to be a very uncomfortable posture. The sloping desk is normally much higher as is the chair – more akin to a draughtsman’s worktable in modern times and, very likely, more historically accurate. Medical experts and designers produced many new designs of school furniture with admirable design features: lumbar supports, footrests and sloping work surfaces – all to promote what was believed to be a healthy posture in schoolchildren. Early air conditioning systems needed large spaces to function effectively therefore a large, centralized system of work was more practical. The open-plan layout was intended to improve communication and facilitate workflow but office staff complained of noise, distracting movement of people and lack of privacy.
