Not Sitting Still PRODUCT DESIGN. Workplace Trends 2016: NeoCon Stylus Media Group

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1 PRODUCT DESIGN PUBLISHED: 24 JUN 2016 BY: Alison Gough From comprehensive furniture collections that enable choice based working, to seating that promotes constant movement, NeoCon remains the premier event for North American contract furnishings. We select the key trends and product highlights. Andreu World, Duo by Jasper Morrison SUMMARY WORKERS IN CONTROL A new global study by US manufacturer Steelcase and international market researcher Ipsos has found that 88% of highly engaged and satisfied employees can choose where they work in the office depending on the task at hand. With this in mind, manufacturers are creating collections that give users full control of their environment and working position. THE NEW MEETING ROOM US manufacturer Knoll also presented its new global workplace study, which found that more than half of companies work is made up of unstructured group based activities. As a result, isolated and formal meeting rooms are shifting to open and informal comfort driven settings. SITTING COMFORTABLY Building on the insight that younger consumers today are sitting more and moving less than ever, a number of manufacturers are creating seating options with curved bases, which encourage movement throughout the day whilst also maintaining a healthy posture. INSTANT CUSTOM SEATING Giving businesses easy access to customised contract furnishings, US manufacturers Coalesse and Ki have both launched custom online colour and pattern ordering platforms that accompany new chair offerings as standard. Not Sitting Still Page 1 of 8

2 To encourage movement throughout the day, manufacturers are creating seating solutions that enable users to be physically active while seated. Focused Fidgeting: Michigan based Izzy+ debuted its Dotti stool, which promotes focused fidgeting in a learning environment. Building on the insight that today s children are sitting more and moving less, Dotti s design features a contoured rubber base that encourages gentle rocking and a variety of different seating positions, including tilting and perching. Sitting While Standing: The HiLo seat by San Francisco based design firm Box Clever for Knoll, is a flexible rubber bottomed adjustable height stool that allows users to perch in a position somewhere between sitting and standing ideal for standing desks or ad hoc meetings. Energetic Hubs: Belgian manufacturer BuzziSpace debuted its rocking base BuzziBalance soft stool and standing board, both of which encourage movement and collaborative energy within an office environment. Available in small for individual use, or large for shared occupancy, the base of both products is made from curved solid plain ash wood. Wellness at the Core: The Doko plastic and knitted fabric stool by Canadian manufacturer Keilhauer is an active seating range, which encourages users to engage core muscles while seated or perched. Inspired by the Japanese word for where, Doko is intended to foster informal and playful gatherings in any space. For more on furniture that promotes wellbeing, see Compressed Calm, Wellbeing in the Workplace and Offline Chair: Disconnecting to De stress. BuzziBalance & Buzziboard Izzy+ Dotti Page 2 of 8

3 Knoll, David Rockwell Unscripted Keilhauer, Doko Working Control Furthering last year s trends for agile and fluid spaces, several major manufacturers presented comprehensive collections for choice based working environments. Setting the Work Stage: US manufacturer Knoll presented its Rockwell Unscripted collection by US hospitality architect David Rockwell, which adapts to the increasingly spontaneous working day. Lounge pieces take inspiration from hotel lobbies, while modular plywood steps allow users to configure the blocks into bleachers, amphitheatres and personal working areas. Meanwhile, mobile, freestanding storage units allow storage to become an additional area definer. Our interest is in getting people to look at their work environments as a stage on which moveable furniture can be arranged in endless configurations. You can craft the scene around what it is you re doing that day. DAVID ROCKWELL, ARCHITECT Knoll, David Rockwell Unscripted Knoll, David Rockwell Unscripted Knoll, David Rockwell Unscripted Knoll, David Rockwell Unscripted Humanising the Workspace: Supported by research from New York based social research and design consultancy firm Plastarc, US based retailer West Elm and manufacturer Inscape presented its latest choice focused moveable collection. Key pieces include modular, curved lounge seating that lets users configure it in ways that support several people casually meeting together, plus screen division systems that can facilitate group discussions or carve out areas of personal retreat. Page 3 of 8

4 West Elm & Inscape West Elm & Inscape Plex Modular: Premiering at the show, and conceived by British designers Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, US manufacturer Herman Miller s Plex collection is a configurable soft seating system designed to allow users to assume the postures that best support their activity. The range is made up of six elements that are combined to form ottomans, sofas and benches, while adjustable tables and integrated power outlets support a range of mobile technologies. For more on flexible working environments, see The Living Workspace, Smart Workplace 2040, and Digital Nomads. Herman Miller, Plex Modular Herman Miller, Plex Modular Page 4 of 8

5 Herman Miller, Plex Modular Herman Miller, Plex Modular New Meeting Knoll presented its new four year workplace study, which found that across 120 global companies, employees currently spend 52% of their day in informal group activities. As a result, isolated meeting rooms are losing favour over more casual, centralised group meeting places. Winner of the Best of NeoCon Competition, Canadian furniture company Teknion has extended its creative collaboration with British design duo Pearson Lloyd for Zones, a collection of furniture that promotes wellbeing, community and fluidity. Highlights include Workshop, a series of meeting tables designed for use with informal two or three person bench seating, plus moveable easels. Teknion, Zones Teknion, Zones Fellow Canadian brand Keilhauer presented its Hangout series of modular seating options, designed to foster a range of group conversations. Benches connect with tables for both focused and casual working in a shared environment, while high backed sofas and benches separate meeting spaces without closing them off. Working with Italian designer Gianfranco Zaccai and global design consultancy Continuum, Herman Miller debuted Exclave a series of products designed to facilitate the movement of ideas and people around a workspace. Its guitar pick and teardrop shaped tables enable face to face communication without blocking anyone s view of participants, while carts enable work boards to be moved from meeting spots to rails installed on office walls, to encourage the flow of ideas. For more on the advantages of designing the workspace around specific organisational cultures, see Happy, Healthier Workspaces. Keilhauer, Hang Out Keilhauer, Hang Out Page 5 of 8

6 Herman Millar, Exclave Herman Millar, Exclave Maximising the Working Environment According to a study by Herman Miller, traditional floor plans show assigned workstations are unoccupied for up to 60% of the day. To utilise underused desk space, manufacturers are creating preparatory digital platforms for enhanced workplace efficiency, which are connected to on product or in room sensors. Navigating Hot Desks: US manufacturer Steelcase has launched a workplace app that works in tandem with motion sensors in its existing height adjustable Ology desk, Brody personal work lounge and new meeting room heat mapping sensors. The app translates the sensor readings to register if a room or piece of furniture is in use, and then indicates where a worker should go. In addition, facilities managers may monitor which areas are most popular at what times, via the app s analytics platform. Personalised Working: Herman Miller is taking a more personal approach to its new workspace app, which aims to make objects more responsive to the needs of the individual user. The app encourages personal daily goals, plus adjusts desk height simply by placing an app enabled phone near the sensor on the desk. For facilities managers, the app also gives percentages of desk utilisation and monitors employees who are increasing activity. Steelcase, Workplace App Steelcase, Workplace App Herman Miller, Workplace App Herman Miller, Workplace App Sitting Comfortably Page 6 of 8

7 From elegant stacking options to biometrically designed task chairs and tech enhanced customisation opportunities, we select the personal seating highlights. Back Wellness: The Fern task chair by Michigan based manufacturer Haworth is inspired by the structure of its namesake, the fern leaf. It features a central spine of unique fronds, designed to support individual areas of the back and respond as the user moves. Similarly, the Novo by California based SitOnIt won the Gold award for ergonomic desk or task chair for its adjustable integrated lumbar support. Body Fit: Colorado based Humanscale presented its updated Diffrient Occasional range of stackable chairs by the late US designer Niels Diffrient. The lightweight chairs incorporate a patented tri panel backrest made with the brand s proprietary form sensing mesh. The mesh creates a three dimensional form designed to fit the user s back and mould to different positions for long term comfort. Haworth, Fern Haworth, Fern Humanscale, Diffrient Occasional SitOnIt, Novo Custom Carbon: After more than two years in development, US based Coalesse has launched its carbon fibre LessThanFive stacking chair so named because it weighs less than 5lbs. Designed by Hong Kongbased Michael Young, the chair has an accompanying app that allows businesses to participate in the design process by choosing custom colours and patterns when they make a purchase. Full Set: The comprehensive Doni seating series by Wisconsin manufacturer Ki is available as Guest, Stack, and Task chairs, as well as its adaptable Tandem seating. Chairs are available in 13 solid and nine two tone combinations as standard. Like Coalesse, Ki has also launched an accompanying online customisation platform for personalised or corporate colour combinations. Minimal Functionality: Winner of the Gold Award for stacking chairs, the Duo is an ultra minimal, cleanlined range of seating by British designer Jasper Morrison for Valencia based manufacturer Andreu World. The chairs are available in all wood or with upholstered fabric in muted and monochrome colours. Page 7 of 8

8 Coalesse, LessThanFive Coalesse, LessThanFive Ki, Doni Andreu World, Duo by Jasper Morrison FUTURE INSIGHTS NOT ALL MOBILE Mobile technology plays a crucial role in the modern workforce but don t assume all businesses are equipped for agile working. Fixed technology exceeds mobile by 2:1 in the workplace, according to Steelcase. Consider that although nomadic working is an exciting emerging trend, it s still the minority for most businesses and product developments should aim to cater to both modes of working. TAPPING INTO NATURAL BEHAVIOURS FOR WELLBEING Fidgeting burns calories each day, according to Izzy+. Consider tapping into this natural human behaviour with furnishings that accelerate movement without the user being conscious of exertion. APPY WORKFORCE By adding connected elements to existing furnishings, employers can begin to understand, quantifiably, how and when a space is used. Consider that two or more different manufacturers products or smart devices may be in use in the same environment how could you future proof this aggregation of data? BRAND ENGAGEMENT THROUGH COLOUR & FINISH Custom colourways for contract furnishing are not new, but for the first time, manufacturers such as Coalesse and Ki are promoting this easy engagement strategy by seamlessly building it into their standard product ordering process. Consider how to engage your workforces or customers through a cohesive custom colour strategy. TOPICS: Work Stylus Media Group London New York T +44 (0) (UK) T +1 (646) (US) E instagram.com/wearestylus bit.ly/stylusgroup stylus.com/rss.xml About Stylus Stylus is a global innovation research and advisory firm, which works with businesses to stimulate innovation and growth. Our team of researchers identify and analyse the latest consumer lifestyle, product design and customer engagement trends across 20+ industries. The reports we publish provide commercial insight for 300+ global brands and agencies, making Stylus an essential resource for professionals in innovation, planning, strategy, product design and marketing roles. Page 8 of 8