The stationary personal workstation – complete with desk, chair and computer (with photos of the children) – has been an unavoidable fixture of office landscapes until recently. With the advent of smartphones and laptops the office is becoming mobile – it’s everywhere and nowhere. This de-individualisation of the workstation has led to the ‘flex’ office typically seen in start-ups, with different areas or zones tailored to suit differing needs, within an overall workplace.
Furthermore, architectural codes as seen in hotels, cafes, airport departure lounges, homes and offices have never been as similar as they are today. So much so that we are witnessing the hybridisation of space and design, meaning that the way we work has been turned on its head. Collaborative and nomadic working regimens have become the norm, resulting in the creation of modular spaces rather than the traditional closed office space. Conversely, homes are places for concentration and reflection to counteract this communal working ethos.
Likewise, office demographics are changing, dictating that offices should be designed with inclusion in mind. The design must also factor in two previously non-existent phenomena: the cohabitation of three generations (baby boomers, generations X and Y); and increasingly international teams. These key changes are driving demand for office design that is tailored to employee diversity in terms of capacity, language, culture, gender and age.
Not forgetting, of course, that the demand for sustainable interior design solutions is also being driven by the demand to work in a healthy environment. Employees are increasingly wary of solvents and are keen to breathe clean air. That means priority is placed on furniture that is as good for our health as it is for the environment.
DESKS
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Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Identity.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Breaking the mould
A collision of forces has given birth to a new project called The Great Design Disaster. Led by a passionate duo – interior architect Gregory Gatserelia and design enthusiast Joy Herro – its aim is nothing short of shaking up the traditional boundaries of the contemporary design market. identity catches up with Herro to learn more.
A taste for luxury
Häcker Kitchens is on a mission to 'disrupt the kitchen industry' in the Middle East
An Italian affair
An exclusive collection by online retail platform Artemest has been curated by Dubai-based interior designer and founder of Styled Habitat, Rabah Saeid, and combines Italian handcrafted pieces inspired by cosy nights in.
At the nexus of design and function
Casamia is home to truly contemporary kitchens for lovers of elegance and understated style
DESIGN FOCUS: A FEAST FOR THE EYES
As a place for everything from cooking and eating to entertaining and gathering with family and friends, the kitchen is the heart of any home. It can be a space that invites creativity as well, not only with food but also with design. Contemporary or traditional, urban-inspired or with a countryside feel, adorned with neutral colours or noble materials, bespoke or modular: there are many options to reflect your own style.
Contemporary heritage
Launched just a few months ago, new brand and gallery Don Tanani revives the past with a contemporary eye, through objects that are at the crossroads of design and art
Distant voices
The voices of 4000 Lebanese citizens have travelled to the Venice Architecture Biennale as part of Beirut-based architecture and design duo T SAKHI’s installation, ‘Letters from Beirut’. With the hope of fostering dialogue and honouring the Lebanese community, the installation shares narratives in the wake of the city’s ongoing reconstruction following the explosion in Beirut on 4 August last year.
An urban legacy
A new book chronicling Sharjah’s modern urban landscape offers a wide-ranging view of the UAE’s third-largest city
WEEKEND LIFESTYLE
This Sydney home achieves harmony through the perfect balance of proportions, materials and colours
A labour of love
The House of Today platform has supported emerging design talent and students in Lebanon for nearly a decade. Today, in the face of ongoing challenges, their efforts remain as solid as ever.
