Physical and psychological disorders in school-age children, as a consequence of prolonged sitting in class, denote one of the alarming issues of the today’s civilization. Scientific and professional literature pays great attention to the causes and phenomena of postural disorders caused by prolonged sitting, such as musculoskeletal disorders and back pain (MSD/BP). This phenomenon in children is increasingly correlated with school furniture design. School furniture, especially the chair and desk, are one of the most important factors to achieve the right body posture of pupils during school education. Despite this, not much attention is paid to the ergonomic requirements in furniture design, which are a prerequisite for good health, motivation improvement and learning of students. The objective of this paper is to show the impact of unmatched school furniture on the development of health problems and poor pupils’ posture through a review of scientific literature and previous studies concerning the issue. The results include a comparison of ten papers published in the period from 2004 to 2017 in Finland, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Nigeria, Brazil, Iran, Belgium, United Kingdom and India. Various databases have been used, including Pub Med, Google Scholar, Medline, Hrčak, Dabar, Science Direct and Science Citation Index. By reviewing the previous research of the selected authors dealing with sitting posture in school, an insight was gained into the effect of inadequate body postures on pupils’ health that could be used as guidance for new school furniture design.

The paper provides an overview of research conducted in the field of wood application in the interior environment and on how solid wood as a material affects human behavior and sense of wellbeing. The analyzed literature includes articles published in the period 1989-2021 in Pub-Med, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) databases using keywords: wood; wellbeing; psychological and physiological responses; indoor environment. Thirty-one articles were processed. Results from the studies confirmed that people have a strong connection and positive behavioral reactions in relation to the use of solid wood in interiors. Wood visually and tactilely affects the mental state of users, and affects physical state, productivity, and stress. Selected studies were reviewed to better understand the impact of the solid wood application on user behavior, health, and wellbeing using objective and subjective test methods. All the findings can be a potential guide for greater future implementation of wood in the sustainable interior design of timber buildings by wood processors, manufacturers, architects, and interior designers, as well as a more vital branding of sustainable and healthy wooden products and buildings with the aim of increasing the wellbeing in interior environments with an emphasis on furnishing sustainable public facilities.

The mismatch the kindergarten furniture dimensions with the children's anthropometric, as well as the design of non-ergonomic kindergarten furniture, potentially affects inappropriate body positions, and thus potential low back pain when sitting in later human development. The aim of this study was to examine the anthropometric measurements of preschool children and compare them with the dimensions of the preschool chairs in kindergartens in North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Croatia, in order to perceive the current situation and suggest improving for kindergarten furniture design. 848 children in 27 kindergartens participated in the research. A total of 36 types of chairs was found and measured. Children's upper leg length, popliteal height and hip width were measured and compared with the three main chair functional dimensions according to the EN 1729-1:2015. The main value of this research is the comparative data obtained, which indicates that there is a significant difference between preschool chairs and children's dimensions in some groups, but that the results cannot be generalized since they refer to a specific kindergarten population. In reality, it will never be possible to satisfy all dimensions of children and furniture, primarily due to the existence of (too) tall and (too) short children in certain groups. A further recommendation is to introduce a systematic measurement of preschool children at the beginning of the new school year and thus harmonize their anthropometric dimensions with the furniture.

The health consequences of prolonged sitting in the office and other work chairs have recently been tried to be alleviated or prevented by the application of modern technologies. Smart technologies and sensors are installed in different parts of office chairs, which enables monitoring of seating patterns and prevents positions that potentially endanger the health of users. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of previous research in the field of the application of smart technologies and sensors built into office and other types of chairs in order to prevent diseases. The articles published in the period 2010-2020 and indexed in WoS CC, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore databases, with the keywords “smart chair” and “sensor chair” were analysed. 15 articles were processed, with their research being based on the use of different types of sensors that determine the contact pressures between the user’s body and stool parts and recognise different body positions when sitting, which can prevent negative health consequences. Analysed papers prove that the use of smart technology and a better understanding of sitting, using various sensors and applications that read body pressure and determine the current body position, can act as preventive health care by detecting proper heart rate and beats per minute, the activity of individual muscle groups, proper breathing and estimates of blood oxygen levels. In the future research, it is necessary to compare different types of sensors, methods used and the results obtained in order to determine which of them are most suitable for the future development of seating furniture for work.

The paper presents the results of the first phase of the student project CROSTAND2, whose main goal is to revitalize the traditional construction techniques of vernacular architecture in the Republic of Croatia by developing modern sustainable prefabricated modular wooden buildings/public booths in accordance with users’ needs and habits. To incorporate conceptual design, the literature on Croatian construction and wood protection, prefabricated modular construction, and public urban spaces was analyzed and field research was conducted. Photo documentation was also collected in the village of Donja Kupčina, Zagreb County, Croatia. An online survey questionnaire on socializing habits in public spaces, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, additionally analyzed new requirements for user-centered design. The obtained results, as well as results from previous project research, were used as a basis and inspiration for the design of a conceptual modular building inspired by traditional wooden joints, modular construction, and the emerging needs of users to socialize safely in a healthy environment. Conceptual solutions for a sustainable modular prefabricated wooden building for public use, intended for public urban and rural areas, have been proposed. Such constructions would ensure the sustainability of enjoying the natural environment for personal, tourist, and commercial purposes with the perpetuation of Croatian heritage building traditions.

Corner joints and edge banding are essential components that significantly impact the strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal of particleboard furniture. This review examines the critical role of edge banding in enhancing the performance of corner joints, which are fundamental to the overall quality of panel furniture. A targeted literature search was conducted across key databases, including the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC), Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on scientific resources in the technical and biotechnical sciences. The selection of joint types, materials, and construction methods can substantially influence both the structural integrity and visual design of the furniture. Well-designed corner joints improve durability and longevity by ensuring that furniture can withstand various forces and loads without failure or deformation. These joints enhance the aesthetics of furniture by providing seamless and visually appealing connections between different elements. Edge banding is vital for reinforcing corner joint strength, as different materials exhibit varying degrees of resistance to impact, scratches, and abrasion, thereby safeguarding furniture surfaces. Also, edge banding contributes to the furniture’s longevity, ensuring durability during use as well as through disassembly and transport during remodeling or relocation. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge and establish parameters for future research on the quality and performance of corner joints and edge bands in particleboard furniture.