Hasta La Ideas

Overview

• Min Height: 22″
• Max Height: 48″
• Max Load: 250 lbs
• Electric (also available Incremental Leg, Hand Crank, Torsion Paddle, Standard Actuator)

Design
The Haworth Planes Height-Adjustable Table has a simple, utilitarian design with a customizable desktop. The significant advantage to this height-adjustable table design from the Haworth Design Studio is that the crossbeam has been moved up directly underneath the table top, which improves its accessibility and range of motion with no reduction of stability at full height extension. The trade-off for this stability seems to be weight—even the smaller version of this sturdy desk (23″ x 58″) is heavy enough to need two people to move it. However, the table has a very wide sit-to-stand range (22″ – 48″), and the raised crossbeam and two-leg design with low-profile feet improve accessibility for wheelchairs and users of different sizes and needs to the point where it exceeds ANSI/HFES 100-2007 requirements. Plus it has a motor and gear set that can handle a load up to 250 lbs, so it’s going to need some weight behind it.

Maximum & minimum table heights, with a 15″ laptop and 6 lb chihuahua for scale

The worktop can be laminate or wood veneer and is available in standard or Green core. Our table has the linen laminate top with the standard 3mm edgeband. The motor and mechanics are hidden within the legs, which keeps the lines cleaner. But there was a lack of anything more than clips for cable management under the table, which I found surprising.

The Programmable Actuator is once again utilitarian, but clear and easy to understand and can be mounted on the left or right side. There are buttons to save up to four different heights, and even if they’re all used up, you can still use the digital height readout (in inches) with the up/down buttons to memorize your preferred heights.

Overall the table gives the impression of being a high-quality piece of office equipment. But while the table top can be customized, the black and metallic finish on the legs seems intended to fade into the background.

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