The agility revolution has transformed how we design offices
Hot-desking, collaboration zones, and privacy pods have replaced the traditional assigned desk model, creating dynamic environments that adapt to diverse work styles. Yet this flexibility has introduced an unintended consequence: a workplace ergonomics crisis that’s quietly undermining the very productivity and wellbeing these spaces were designed to enhance.
As laptop usage has become ubiquitous (driven by hybrid working patterns and the need for mobility across fluid office environments) workers are spending hours hunched over screens positioned far below optimal eye level. The result? Chronic neck and back pain, digital eye strain, and a troubling disconnect between progressive workplace design and basic human ergonomics.
For workplace designers and facilities managers, this creates a complex challenge. How do you support ergonomic best practice in spaces designed for flexibility and sharing? Traditional solutions (adjustable monitor arms, separate keyboards, cable management) become impractical when workers move between locations throughout the day. The infrastructure that supports individual ergonomic setups conflicts with the design principles of agile working.
A New Standard for Agile Ergonomics
Colebrook Bosson Saunders, the British pioneer in ergonomic workspace solutions, has addressed this challenge with Lana: a laptop stand that redefines what workplace wellbeing looks like in modern office environments.
Lana’s innovation lies in its elegant simplicity. An intuitive, button-free height adjustment mechanism (powered by a sophisticated 4-bar linkage with rack-and-pinion engineering) delivers extensive vertical range that accommodates 95% of users, from 5th percentile females to 95th percentile males. This inclusive approach ensures genuine ergonomic support across diverse workforces without requiring individual product variations.
But height adjustment alone doesn’t solve the agile workplace challenge. Lana integrates a USB hub with USB-A and USB-C connectivity, enabling instant keyboard and mouse connection. A single cable delivers peripheral connection and power, eliminating the tangle of accessories that typically accompanies ergonomic setups. For workers moving between hot-desks or privacy pods, this means ergonomic comfort in seconds, not minutes: no Bluetooth pairing delays, no cable hunting, no compromise.
Design That Disappears
Understanding that workplace aesthetics matter as much as functionality, Lana’s design language reflects CBS’s deep experience in premium office environments. Clean lines, soft radiuses, and a Forbo-textured platform create an approachable, tactile presence that complements contemporary interior schemes.
Crucially, Lana’s fold-flat design addresses the visual clutter challenge inherent in shared spaces. When not in use, it collapses to a minimal profile, maintaining the clean desk policy that’s essential in agile environments. When deployed, the laptop itself obscures the stand, keeping focus on work rather than equipment.
Available in sophisticated colourways developed to integrate across diverse workplace palettes, Lana transitions seamlessly from individual focus pods to collaborative benching systems. Wool feet enable effortless repositioning without marking surfaces: a practical detail that facilities teams will appreciate.
The Business Case for Built-In Wellbeing
The statistics are compelling: ergonomic interventions deliver up to 10:1 ROI through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. Companies prioritising wellbeing see 59% higher retention rates. Yet the challenge for workplace designers has been implementing ergonomics without sacrificing the aesthetic and functional benefits of agile design.
Lana represents a shift in thinking: rather than treating ergonomics as an afterthought requiring add-on solutions, it embeds wellbeing directly into the agile workspace infrastructure. For designers specifying furniture and equipment for modern offices, this integration delivers both the visual simplicity clients demand, and the ergonomic performance duty of care requires.
Rigorously tested for five years of daily use and backed by a five-year warranty, Lana exemplifies CBS’s commitment to longevity. With PFAS-free materials, 29.5% recycled content, and 100% recyclability, it aligns with the sustainability expectations of forward-thinking workplace projects.
Lana launched 6 February 2026. Arrange demos at [email protected].
