We’re attending the ‘leading international trade fair for the modern working world’ ORGATEC this week, held in Cologne, Germany. The event brings together research, industry, architecture and the retail and wholesale trade to answer questions like:
- what kind of environment makes it possible for ideas to grow?
- what sort of workspace allows meetings to become successful brainstorming sessions?
- and how can we structure the collaboration of individualists?
Seminars are taking place that promise to showcase ‘visionary concepts’, explore the digital transformation and uncover how we can create a work culture – through design – that’s based on cooperation, motivation and trust in the spirit of partnership
We’ve packed our passports, collected more than 20 years’ worth of workspace design insights and opened our minds to the future of design and furniture. It’s time to attend our very first ORGATEC! Here’s what our chairman Shaun is most looking forward to…
- The future of the workspace
The big themes surrounding the future of the workspace are: sustainability, smart tech and wellbeing. These are three topics that I’m looking forward to exploring during ORGATEC. Some of Europe’s top designers, architects and suppliers will be in attendance and I’m interested to hear their take on the challenges and opportunities in these spaces.
The Work Environments of the Future panel should provide some useful insights. I’ll also be attending the Energy Efficiency and Well-being – 2 Successes with One Measure session to understand a bit more about how we can save our customers money on their energy bills – which is certainly a hot topic at the moment – through design choices and materials.
- How hybrid working has impacted – and will continue to impact – design
The post-pandemic needs of the workspace has changed. There’s no getting around it. It’s our job to guide our customers and show them how to use their floorplans flexibly to allow for hybrid working, where required. We need to reimagine spaces to allow both independent and collaborative work, while giving staff a real reason to come into the office. You can see how we did this for McCain’s headoffice here.
I’m particularly keen to hear more about the global field report by workingwell GmbH on the subject and understand European responses to hybrid working.
- Products, products, products
Our design and furniture teams are always looking for new products: sustainable, design-led, standout pieces that are functional and aesthetically-pleasing. We have great relationships with our suppliers and we really trust in their products. I’m also keen to look to Europe to see what the trends are there, to get inspired and understand what furniture options we can introduce to our clients in the UK and North America.
Follow us along at ORGATEC via our social media channels Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
