Thousands of products of the highest quality, but no yet real news: this is the most concise report on #orgatec2018. Despite this premise, there are 3 out of the box ideas, 3 innovative projects that break down consolidated archetypes. They are not really “new”, but they are able to offer unreleased faces to the main trends of the workplace – acoustics, privacy, third spaces – all the 750 exhibiting companies are confronting with.
What we consider innovative is the logical leap; the gap between the pure functional solution and the “behavioral” response, the difference between a good product and a dynamic object that creates a new “ecosystem”. This is the role of design indeed: observing behaviors, considering the requests of the new ways of working and giving amazing answers.
Thats why the WOW! Products at Orgatec 2018 are: BuzziBracks by BuzziSpace, Side Walk by Citterio and Soft Work by Vitra.
From the cubicle to the fluttering microenvironments: BuzziBracks by BuzziSpace, design by Alain Gilles.
The free standing metal frame is not really a new concept, similar to the panel systems of the ‘80s. The creative gesture is in stripping the structure from the rigid panels and clearing the space from the prefixed boundaries (No Boundaries was the claim of the stand) to generate welcoming microenvironments.
The “cubicles” become “sensual boundaries“, flexible and agile limits. Light and constantly reconfigurable sets that the designer Alain Gilles called “Voylager” (crasis between Voler and Voyager: flying and traveling) dynamism blends with lightness.
This standalone architectural system for open spaces acts as a visual and acoustic shelter from one’s surroundings.
It is available in various heights and allowed wide possibility of customization. It is possible to choice from a wide selection of transparent and opaque fabrics, including sound absorbing acoustic curtains from Kvadrat.
It can be fit out with a selection of furnishings and accessories according to purpose: hung or free standing desks, storage or shelves.
From the phone booth to the traveling call: Phone Walk by Citterio, design by Progetto CMR (Giovanni Giacobone).
Look around: nobody stands calling! A typical Millennials’s behavior nowadays also assimilated by aged people: while you call it is better to walk, helping relax and concentration and healthier than being in an armchair or standing on the wall.
So why the model of the phone booth for workplace 3.0 is still that of the last century?
This archetype has been overcome by Progetto CMR thanks to a wooden structure, which get people freedom of movement.
An open sound absorbing “walk” which includes lighting and a blackboard, to take notes or scketchs.
It is the first one of project in progress that will include other different worksettings.
From the sofa to the platform to work: Soft Work, by Vitra designed by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby.
The desk i is disappearing as an archetype of workplace and progressively reduces its presence in the office and the focus moves to areas that until recently were considered in-between.
The shared and fluid workplace blurs the boundaries between the office and public space. As part of this concept, this modular sofa system responds to today’s needs.
A platform around which the workday revolves, equipped with power connections, worktops and privacy screens. Additional tables and chairs are grouped around the sofa and can be pulled up as needed.
“Formal work rules are dissolving, regardless of where and how we work – now frequently in hotel lobbies or cafés. As a result, the desk is no longer at the centre of our work life.” the designers quoted.
Text by Renata Sias
