1 | International Journal of Design 2 (2022)

International 1-6 of Design 2 (2022) 1-6

Journal

-
International Journal of Design
Universitas Komputer Indonesia
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injudes

The Role of Multi-Function Furniture in

the Pandemic Era
A D Shaleh*, N Asyifa**, T Abhistha***

Department of Interior Design, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia

E-mail: *Adzkay.52019011@mahasiswa.unikom.ac.id

ABSTRACTS A R T I C L E I N FO
Measuring how effective multifunctional furniture is in the Article History:
Received 10 May 2022
industry, knowing the benefits of multi-functional furniture
Revised 6 June 2022
for activities and interior design issue, ensuring that multi- Accepted 11 June 2022
functional furniture has been made based on ergonomic Available online 18 June 2022
principles, and researching the positive impact of multi- ___________________
functional furniture on the community. The objective of this Keywords:
study is to identify the role of the multi-functional chair as a Multifunctional furniture,
Role,
new solution in the creation of facilities to support e-learning Pandemic,
and remote work. The qualitative method was tested on 100 Effective,
respondents from the general public with various professional Ergonomics,
Anthropometry.
backgrounds. The results of the efficiency of multi-functional
furniture based on ergonomic considerations and design
principles show that multifunctional furniture has a very high
level of efficiency. Most people are satisfied with the
availability of multi-functional furniture that can help them in
their daily activities. Having multi-functional furniture can
simplify daily activities and can be a solution for interior
problems.
 Shaleh et al. The Role of Multi-Function Furniture in the Pandemic Era| 2

1. INTRODUCTION space, so that multifunctional furniture

can make it easier for users to manage the
Indonesia's pandemic period is in its amount of available land area. Based on
second year. 'A new normal' way of life some of the notes from the analysis, we
affecting all aspects of human life. Not can find out what innovations can be
only activities that pay attention to health reference ideas which are then adapted to
protocols, but also the community labor the current pandemic era. The purpose of
system must also adapt to the situation in this study is to determine the role of a
this pandemic era. One example of the multifunctional chair designed with the
implementation of this policy is the 'New Normal' as a new solution in
implementation of a work from home creating supporting facilities for WFH
system known as Work From Home and online learning.
(WFH) and an online learning system in
all educational institutions in Indonesia 2. METHOD
(Fivanda & Ismanto, 2021). Therefore, the
need for facilities for the community is This research method uses descriptive
becoming more diverse. analysis method and qualitative method
approach. Qualitative descriptive
Interior designers are increasingly analysis is a method used to analyze data
innovating in creating solutions that can by describing the state of the subject and
help today's society. The interior object of research based on the facts in the
designers began to apply the principle of field (Kim et al., 2017). Researchers
multifunctional furniture consisting of 2 describe the information obtained
or more functions in one object (Rashdan through data obtained from interviews
& Ashour, 2017). Of course, the with sources, observations, and
development of this idea cannot be documents that support the research.
separated from the principles of
Anthropometric and Ergonomic theory 3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
which are important factors in creating
comfort for humans in their activities. In Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the
the book "Human Dimensions & Interior function of residential housing was
Space" by Julius Panero and Martin limited to providing shelter from sunlight
Zelnik written the definition of and rainwater. The comfort of a home is
Anthropometric theory which is a science not measured by its luxury. Home
that studies the measurement of the comfort can be seen from the fulfillment
human body as a guide for calculating the of the needs and activities of residents.
size differences in each individual human However, for now, home office activities
being, as well as how it relates to the have not been fully implemented, and
design of furniture and interior home office policies have become the
circulation of the room. In the results of company's choice.
the analysis of the development of
Based on data from research by
multifunctional furniture innovations
Nugroho et al., (2020) it is stated that the
that have been carried out by other
demographics of male students are 5
interior designers, it is explained that the
(20%) respondents, female 20 (80%). The
role of multifunctional furniture can
median age was 19.96 years. The majority
minimize the need for a large amount of
3 | International Journal of Design 2 (2022) 1-6

of respondents (80%) who started SFH on adapted to the land area owned by the
March 20 completed SFH in less than 8 individual (can be placed in a narrow
hours per day, with 15 (60%) and 10 (40%) place). The benefits of this product are
taking more than 8 hours. A total of 9 very strong because it allows people to
(36%) respondents did not use the remain productive even though the space
backrest. Demographics obtained from for movement is limited by the current
workers were 9 (36%) respondents to 16 situation (Kurniati & Kusuma, 2014). In
(64%). The mean age was 27.76 years. The addition to being professional,
majority started SFH on March 18 (72%) multifunctional furniture is very suitable
of respondents. A total of 10 (40%) for students and students. As long as the
respondents did SFH with a duration of learning system takes place online,
less than 8 hours during the day and 15 students can continue their work while
(60%) respondents for more than 8 hours. relaxing (Grahara & Setiawan, 2021). This
A total of 12 (48%) respondents used a reduces the pain that students and
chair with a high backrest. students often experience from sitting in
front of the laptop for too long. With this
This shows that the work from home product, they can easily lean back
has an impact on comfort in working and without forgetting the task.
studying. Students and workers
sometimes experience pain. To minimize Furniture can be in the form of tables,
the pain, students and workers do chairs, and others. Furniture that is very
stretch, massage, and rest. Muscle close, namely chairs. Chairs are included
complaints from students and employees in the category of furniture which are
during the pandemic must be handled usually placed in public areas, as well as
properly. To maintain a good level of in homes. Furniture is made in such a
fitness. The demographics associated way according to the rules of ergonomics
with muscle problems represent an and aesthetics so that it has a functional
uncomfortable disease. The status of design without forgetting the element of
employees who do WFH and students beauty (Tarmawan et al., 2021).
engaged in SFH have a significant effect Ergonomics rules in the manufacture of
on the occurrence of neck pain furniture are very concerned because
complaints, which can be influenced by ergonomic rules are used as an effort to
different workloads, different ages, and adapt the work environment to the needs
static activities that have an impact on the of users or humans. The purpose of these
occurrence of muscle complaints, thereby adjustments is to increase productivity
increasing the risk of neck pain. Muscle and reduce discomfort at work (Ajoudani
ache. Complaints of pain before the et al., 2020).
pandemic became one of the important
factors that influenced the occurrence of Work chairs are closely related to
muscle complaints. ergonomics issues, which have started to
become a major problem and an
Sitting facilities that are useful for the important consideration in work chairs.
community in the "new normal" are Because work chairs typically work for
urgently needed because community long periods of time, ergonomic work
activities are based on the principle of chairs are designed to support the correct
work from home (WFH). In addition, this sitting position to minimize damage to
chair is a class of furniture that can be the body caused by sitting for long
 Shaleh et al. The Role of Multi-Function Furniture in the Pandemic Era| 4

periods of time (Fivanda & Ismanto,

2021). The effects of an improper sitting
position on ergonomics include
discomfort, pain, tingling, stiffness,
swelling, irritation, and difficulty
sleeping. The tension of the muscular
system caused by static muscle loads and
incorrect working postures, if continued
unnoticed, can cause nerve damage and
even deformity of the spine, the main
support for the human body (Nugroho et
al., 2020).

According to Sharifi et al., (2015), a

work chair is a chair designed to add
comfort when carrying out work
activities. Technically, the work chair has
common features such as; wheels on chair Fig. 1. Chair sketch (Prasetyo et al.,
legs, waist support, and gas springs. All 2020)
of that is designed to get comfort and
health when sitting. Based on the
research of Prasetyo et al., (2020), stated
that multifunctional furniture can be
designed and applied to work chairs.
Some of these opportunities include
providing comfort and ergonomics in the
backrest, armrest, and seat cushions
because the majority of workers do their
work for 3 hours or more.

The furniture produced in the

research of Prasetyo et al., (2020) is a chair
that gives the user the choice to use a high
Fig. 2. Final sketch multi-function chair
work desk or a low table so that the legs (Prasetyo et al., 2020)
of the chair change the mechanism in the
form of a folding mechanism that allows
the chair to be used flat. In this study,
Prasetyo et al., (2020) designed a more
appropriate form of work chair to
support work activities and provide user
comfort when used Prasetyo et al., (2020).
5 | International Journal of Design 2 (2022) 1-6

objects, and work/study areas

(Kemenkes, 2016).

4. CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the research, it can
be concluded that the concept of interior
design for workspaces and the use of
multifunctional furniture in residential
areas is no longer the same as after the
Covid-19 pandemic. Before the
pandemic, working space in a residence
Fig. 3. Final sketch Lesehan chair was not a primary need. However,
(Prasetyo et al., 2020) because people tend to do work outside
the home. Workspace "new normal" has
Therefore, it can be said that the the same view as workers who usually
workspace is also an important aspect of work in offices. The "new normal” for
this WFH that needs to be improved or homes and workspaces can only be
maintained. In addition, the layout of created by rearranging the layout and
office equipment which includes the design concepts.
placement of equipment such as tables
and chairs is one of the ergonomic
standards (Kemenkes, 2016). Kurniati & Acknowledgment
Kusuma (2014) also emphasize that We would like to thank the Universitas
regional changes aim to improve services Komputer Indonesian for assisting us in
for activities within the region. Therefore, writing this paper.
an essential part of the transformation in
creating a work/study space is related to
work/study. This includes functional
sections, more precisely work/study

REFERENCES
Ajoudani, A., Albrecht, P., Bianchi, M., Cherubini, A., Del Ferraro, S., Fraisse, P., ... &
Wischniewski, S. (2020). Smart collaborative systems for enabling flexible and
ergonomic work practices [industry activities]. IEEE Robotics & Automation
Magazine, 27(2), 169-176.
Fivanda, F., & Ismanto, A. Analisis Pengaruh Konsep Interior Ruang Kerja Di Rumah
Tinggal Pasca Pandemi Covid-19. Jurnal Muara Ilmu Sosial, Humaniora, dan
Seni, 5(1), 251-260.
Grahara, R. M., & Setiawan, S. (2021). Desain Kursi Kerja Penunjang Kegiatan Work
From Home Bagi Karyawati Hamil. FAD.
Kementrian Kesehatan. (2016). Standar Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja
Perkantoran. Jakarta: Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor
48 Tahun 2016
 Shaleh et al. The Role of Multi-Function Furniture in the Pandemic Era| 6

Kim, H., Sefcik, J. S., & Bradway, C. (2017). Characteristics of qualitative descriptive
studies: A systematic review. Research in nursing & health, 40(1), 23-42.
Kurniati, F., & Kusuma, H. E. (2014). Adaptasi Perilaku dan Modifikasi sebagai Proses
Menciptakan Hunian Ideal Bagi Penghuni Perumahan Massal. Prosiding Temu
Ilmiah IPLBI, 33-38.
Nugroho, B. Y. S., Widianawati, E., & Wulan, W. R. (2020). Gambaran Keluhan Otot
antara School From Home dan Work From Home dalam Pandemi Covid-
19. VISIKES: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 19(2).
Prasetyo, F. S., Pambudi, T. S., & Sadika, F. (2020). Perancangan Kursi Kerja Untuk
Menunjang Aktivitas Work From Home Freelance Designer. eProceedings of Art
& Design, 7(2).
Rashdan, W., & Ashour, A. F. (2017). Criteria for sustainable interior design
solutions. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 223, 311-322.
Sharifi, Z., Osqueizadeh, R., & Tabatabai Ghomshe, S. F. (2015). Ergonomic redesign
of industrial chair. Iranian Journal of Ergonomics, 3(1), 1-9.
Tarmawan, I., Fauzi, W. L., Mardiana, D., & Widianti, W. (2021). Furniture Design as
a Means to Support Children's Learning Interest and Motivation. International
Journal of Design (INJUDES), 1, 57-64.