The desk and lateral natural light

Three possible positions, one is correct. Desk facing window: permanent contre-jour, screen appears black, immediate eye strain. Desk back to window: screen reflections, shadow on keyboard. Desk perpendicular to window (lateral light): no contre-jour, no reflections, soft natural shadows. This is the only correct position.

Window on the left for right-handers, on the right for left-handers. Light must come from the opposite side to the dominant hand to avoid casting a shadow on your own work.

Place the desk so the length of the desktop is parallel to the window wall, person seated facing another wall. Add a blind or sheer curtain for bright sunlight days.

Add a desk lamp on the side opposite the window (right for right-handers): Anglepoise, Tolomeo, Tala. This completes the lateral natural light without contradiction.

For a room without a window: use a lamp at 4000 K, CRI 90 minimum (see rules 02.2 and 02.4).

For two people sharing a desk: place desks back to back perpendicular to the window, one facing left, one facing right. Each gets their lateral light in the correct direction.

[VISUAL 3 · BEFORE/AFTER · Type B, comparison] Caption: Left, desk facing window, contre-jour. Right, desk perpendicular, lateral light.

Architectural drafting desks of the 18th and 19th century were systematically designed perpendicular to the window with the light from the left. This ergonomics has not changed in three centuries.