Press Releases
Aesthetic attention from Antron® carpet fibre
United Kingdom, 1 August 2008 – Research carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) has revealed that people who work in a pleasant office environment achieve better results and in response to a question on behalf of INVISTA Antron® carpet fibre, that carpeting should be accorded a high priority in the office due to its multidimensional effect on human sensibilities.
An optimised office design leads to a higher level of staff satisfaction and productivity conclude the Stuttgart-based researchers investigating the relationship between feelings of physical wellbeing and motivation in the workplace.
"The higher the design quality in the office, the more it helps to improve performance," states the report. In fact, it cites the office attractivity index as the most significant of the 'soft success factors'. Compiled from the user's perspective, this index is concerned with the atmosphere of a high quality and well kept workplace. The spectrum ranges from room design and ergonomic and aesthetic furnishings, through areas for in-house communication and relaxation to accessories and the choice of the right floor covering.
With approximately 25 million* office workers in the UK, it is one of the country's main forms of employment, yet it is also one that is subject to a constant process of change as technologies transform the workplace and its social environment. With this in mind, space utilization concepts and design become a catalyst for performance with layout conductive to knowledge flow and work processes. Office rooms should contribute to employees' feelings of physical, mental and social wellbeing.
An important element in the design of a room is the floor. According to the experts at the Fraunhofer Institute, this is also expected to meet high standards in terms of design and features. After investigating the role of carpets in improving office performance based on relevant environmental factors, they came to the conclusion that carpeting is a key factor in terms of its effect on the human psyche.
Carpet may influence atmosphere, acoustics, ergonomics and the quality of the ambient air and climate. A carpeted room feels up to three-degrees warmer than one with a bare floor for example. Unlike smooth surfaces, textile ones also reduce light reflections and refractions, thus helping to prevent glare or any unconscious sense of insecurity this may provoke. In addition, carpets temporarily absorb fine dust and substances thus reducing the risk of fine-dust exposure.
The sound absorbing and sound insulating effect of carpet can also make them an effective solution to the problem of noise in modern office environments. In open plan offices especially, this has a positive effect on employees' feelings of wellbeing, as evidenced by another study by the Fraunhofer IAO.
Carpets made with Antron® carpet fibre meet the challenges of top-class office interiors with creative versatility and design with a wide range of surface types, structural types, patterns and colours available. The scope for creativity is virtually unlimited, thanks to carpet fibres such as Antron® Lumena™, which are given high colour-fastness by spinning jet dyeing and a special fibre structure. This technology means that bold and dark colours can be used even in light-filled modern glass buildings. In fact, Antron® carpet fibre technology has made a whole range of carpet types possible in commercial settings. Nowadays even deep-pile shags are no stranger to office environments.
With ever new yarn developments, from fine monofilaments to coarse yarns, Antron® carpet fibres are constantly opening up new possibilities for aesthetic products in the carpet sector.
In summary, the findings of the Fraunhofer IAO study show that high quality design in the office, particularly in terms of floor coverings, is no longer an end in itself, but rather a means to feelings of employee satisfaction and of wellbeing and hence a major contributor to improved performance in the office.
For further information contact INVISTA's Antron® carpet fibre team on 01296 663567 or e-mail enquiries@ANTRONfibres.co.uk.
*According to www.envirowise.gov.uk
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INVISTA, Antron® Carpet Fibre, 10 Quarry Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire, LU7 9GW Tel: 01296 663567 Fax: 01296 663599 Internet: http://www.antron.eu e-mail: enquiries@antronfibres.co.uk |
Myles Hazebroek Select First Limited 6 Hanover Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1EY Tel: (0) 1892 516 500 Fax: (0) 1892 615 787 e-mail: myles@selectfirst.com |
INVISTA is an integrated fibers and polymers business with a global presence. It operates five major businesses: Apparel; Interiors; Intermediates; Performance Materials; and Polymer and Resins. INVISTA delivers exceptional value for its customers through market insights and technology innovations, along with a powerful portfolio of some of the most recognized global brands and trademarks in their respective industries including: ADI-PURE®, ANTRON®, AVORA® FR, INVISTA® C12, COMFOREL®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, CORFREE®, DACRON®, INVISTA® DBE, DYTEK®, ESP®, FORCE™, INVISTA® NYCO, LYCRA®, POLARGUARD®, POLYSHIELD®, SOLARMAX®, STAINMASTER®, SUPPLEX®, SUPRIVA™, TACTEL®, TACTESSE®, TERATE®, TERATHANE® and THERMOLITE®. More information on INVISTA can be found at www.INVISTA.com.
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