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As you know, last week I was in Cologne to visit Orgatec 2024, the leading international trade fair for the modern working world.
With this year’s motto, New Visions of Work, Orgatec explored the office of the future through the lens of design, technology, and wellness. After two days at the fair, I returned home with a fascinating and innovative vision of how workspaces will evolve. What struck me most was a quote I heard during Alexander Fehre’s talk: The workspace of the future is not an office, it’s a space for interaction!
In this post, I’ll share the trends and solutions that most captured my attention and that give us a clear idea of how workspaces will change in the coming years.
1. Hybrid and Flexible Design
The transformation from rigid to flexible work environments is now a fact. At Orgatec 2024, hybrid work was one of the dominant themes, with modular and adaptable solutions for spaces that can be quickly reconfigured to meet different needs: from temporary meeting rooms to informal collaboration areas. Several exhibitors presented modular furniture, wheeled furnishings, and movable partitions to create adaptive spaces. The message is clear: the office of the future is a fluid space that adapts to the way people work.
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In the pictures: 1. The super-modular Array sofa by Snohetta for MDF; 2. Rizz, the customizable office table by Pedrali; 3. Molo’s paper partitions, made 90% of air; 4. Gustav Concept’s toolbox for flexible work; 5. The Nomad Collection by Forming and Function, versatile, mobile, beautiful; 6. Nova by Humanscale, movable with one finger, equipped with a phone charging base, and useful for lighting your face during video calls.
2. Well-being and biophilic design
Well-being is a growing priority, and at Orgatec I saw many solutions integrating natural elements into the office environment. Biophilic design not only makes the setting more aesthetically pleasing but also helps reduce stress and improve productivity. From natural lighting to dedicated relaxation spaces, it’s clear that the office of the future will be a place where people feel good, both physically and mentally.
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In the pictures: 1. Kinnarps’ booth at Orgatec 2024, inspired by Swedish landscapes; 2. Honey by Lundqvist, which combines an essential item like waste bins with plants for a more pleasant work environment.
3. Sustainable and Circular Offices
Sustainability is a key element of modern design, and Orgatec 2024 highlighted the importance of building eco-friendly offices. From recycled to compostable materials, companies offered furniture solutions designed to minimize environmental impact. Many proposals focused on reuse and circular design, with furniture that can be dismantled and reused in new spaces or repurposed at the end of their life. Sustainability is increasingly seen as an essential component of workplace design.
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In the pictures: 1. Klöber’s CoMeet chair, perfect for coffee and meetings, made from recycled material; 2. Moore’s recycled surfaces at Orgatec, including Ostrea, made from seashells; 3. Flokk’s chair made from recycled ski tube plastic; 4. Human Material Loop’s fabrics, crafted with human hair.
4. Privacy and Collaboration oriented Workspaces
Openspace workspaces have been reimagined to meet the need for balanced privacy and collaboration. Acoustic booths for private calls, collaboration pods, and soundproof rooms were among the main features at the fair. The office of the future will give employees the ability to quickly switch from individual to collaborative work without interference. It’s clear that the future of design will focus on creating spaces that respect privacy while also facilitating cooperation.
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In the photos: 1. Calma 4 U booths for sound isolation; 2. Sedus’s se:hive for temporary work.
5. Ergonomic and Customized Furniture
Ergonomics remains a crucial point in workspace design: adjustable-height desks, chairs with advanced lumbar support, and workstations that automatically adjust to the user’s posture. More and more, design companies are offering customizable solutions so each worker can create their ideal space. The office of the future will therefore be an environment where physical well-being is never overlooked.
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In the photos: Typo Chair by Mara design, born from a steel bending error; 2. Moooi x everyhuman personalized fragrances.
6. Acoustic comfort
One of the most discussed aspects at Orgatec 2024 was acoustics, essential for creating a truly comfortable work environment. In a time where openspace offices are common, noise control is a growing priority. Acoustic quality significantly affects productivity and psychological well-being, as workers need a quiet space to concentrate without being disturbed by surrounding noises. From sound-absorbing panels to movable dividers that visually and acoustically separate office areas, to acoustic booths for privacy, many brands focused on the importance of sound comfort.
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In the photos: 1. Bloom, Slalom Acoustic’s acoustic panels with dried flowers; 2. BuzziSpace’s BuzziUmbrella, the flexible acoustic system.
In short, Orgatec 2024 gave us a concrete vision of how offices will become spaces capable of dynamically responding to the needs of those who live and work in them, creating work environments where people can genuinely feel well.
— This article was written in collaboration with Orgatec. As always, all opinions are my own. I hope you’ll be happy to support the brands that support this blog! —
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