From Farm to Desk: The Parallels Between Slow Food and Slow Work

In 1971, chef Alice Waters opened Chez Panisse in Berkeley with a radical belief food should be grown, prepared, and shared with care. That belief would spark the slow food movement, a quiet revolution against industrial efficiency that re-centered human connection and time around a table. 

Half a century later, that same philosophy is finding its way into the world of work. As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates output and technology blurs the boundaries of work time, a new idea is emerging. Intentional Slow Work is a movement to restore meaning and human rhythm to the way we work, collaborate, and live. 

Alice Waters’ slow food ethos offers a blueprint for a healthier work ecosystem. The lesson is not merely about slowing down, but about reconnecting with process, place, and purpose. It brings people back into the process of how work happens. It restores the middle of work, where conversations and edits create a deeper understanding. This is the part of work that, when it disappears, feels hollow.  

The cultural signals are everywhere. People are reaching for grounding experiences, including handmade craft, nature bathing, wellness clubs, and screen-free retreats. All of these point to a growing desire to feel more connected to one another. 

Designing Workplaces That Support a Human Pace

Workplace design reflects this desire and shapes how the built environment can enable human pace or disrupt it. To support slow work, space must become more than a physical container for tasks. A café can function like a small public square where people naturally reconnect. A quiet room can feel like a garden retreat that encourages deeper thinking without isolation. A project room can encourage and showcase ideas in view, helping teams maintain continuity instead of resetting each day.  

Workplaces that support both focus and restoration lead to higher employee engagement and retention.

Warm materials and natural elements reconnect people in an era dominated by screens. Light, air, and sound become foundational design rather than decorative choices. However, these spatial qualities only work when paired with thoughtful work behaviors. Flexibility succeeds when teams share rituals. Hybrid schedules thrive when days in the office have purpose rather than randomness. AI becomes powerful when it accelerates mundane tasks and gives people time for the kind of thinking that requires decision-making and creativity. Slow work is a recalibration toward workplace meaning. It helps people recognize themselves in their work again and makes collaboration feel energizing instead of draining.  

From Flexibility to Intention

The promise of work from anywhere has evolved into something more intentional. Employees across generations want to connect to the why, not just complete the what. The next era of workplace design will focus on regenerative work. Offices will support natural cycles of energy, creativity, and rest. Quiet spaces that invite focus and sunlit cafés that encourage conversation will help people reconnect with their own pace. Workplaces that acknowledge this are moving beyond functional layouts and toward environments that support intention and presence. 

Slow work offers a hopeful shift. It reminds us that meaningful work emerges when people have time and space to understand, connect, and create. If there is one direction for 2026, it is a return to intention.  

How to Bring the Slow Work Ethos to Life

Design for seasons of work: Create spaces that support focus, deep thinking, reflection, and rest.

Localize and humanize: Let rituals and cultural touchpoints grow from the organization’s own community.

Protect creative soil:  Provide places and time for individuals to reset and regenerate.

Engage the senses: Use natural light, warm materials, and texture to support presence and attention.

Create places for gathering: Make collaboration an act of connection rather than consumption. 

The post The Future of Work Is Slow: Why Intentional Working Will Redefine 2026 and Beyond appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

With its lounge-feels, thoughtful adjustability, and plush, natural upholstery options, Room & Board for Business’ Jude brings “soft office” energy into both corporate workplaces and stylish WFH setups.

Michelle Weiss, Publisher of Work Design Magazine, and Nicole Zack, Design Manager and Workplace Strategist at Ted Moudis Associates, spent several days working from Jude, evaluating comfort, adjustability, and user experience across a range of tasks and settings. Here’s what we learned.

First Impressions: A Cozy, Elevated Presence

Jude immediately stands out for its comfy residential, almost lounge-chair-like character. The profile is clean and inviting, with a generously sized seat and back that feel more “living room” than “board room.”

What won us over first was the seat pan which is wide, supportive, and dressed in a 4″+ cushion that feels intentionally plush.

It’s like working in a lounge chair that’s been lifted to task height.

If your design aesthetic leans toward comfortable minimalism or warm modern interiors, Jude fits right in.

The Run Down

Jude is super comfortable and supportive.

Overall Experience: Reviewers agree Jude is a nice change from a typical task chair, it’s very roomy and plush across both the seat and back.

It’s Made for You: There are 235 fabric options to choose from!

‘View In Your Space’ Feature on the Website: This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s fabric chooses, dimensions and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Sustainable Fabric: Slightly textural but still soft, this twill fabric is made from thick yarns in a classic diagonal pattern with a bit of heathering. The Derry neutral chair we reviewed is a GREENGUARD Gold Certified® Revolution® fabric.

Wellbeing Bonus: For designers selecting products that support neuroinclusive, relaxed-focus environments, Jude is a strong contender.

Additional Standout Feature: Intuitive & Easy to Reach Controls

Room & Board for Business made a smart choice here: keep the controls simple and easy to find.

Every adjustment felt intuitive, with no guesswork about what each lever or knob would do. Adjustability isn’t over-engineered as the chair gets you to a comfortable, task-ready position quickly. There’s even some cozy, built-in lumbar support.

Designer-to-Designer: What You Should Know

This chair isn’t a fit for every application, and ergonomically it doesn’t offer all the adjustments you’d expect from a traditional, all day task chair. That said, that’s part of its strength. It’s well-suited for library, conference room, guest space or quiet room settings in the workplace where people want a change of pace from their primary workstation, or in a home office where comfort and a residential look are priorities.

Treat Yourself this Season!

Jude delivers an impressive blend of coziness, function, and design sophistication. It offers the kind of plush, supportive seating that makes long stretches of focused work feel easy and the aesthetic that makes a workspace feel intentionally curated.

With the holidays around the corner, Jude also happens to make a fantastic home-office upgrade. If your workspace wish list includes comfort, style, and a bit of indulgence, this chair deserves a spot under (or next to) the tree. Order yours here.

Images courtesy of Room & Board and our reviewers.

The post Chair of the Month Review: Jude by Room & Board for Business appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

We can take a page from the user experience handbook and curate personalized moments and events. In May 2025, Airbnb launched an update that transformed its room booking tool into a platform for experiences and services. This enables travelers to book pre-vetted chef curated meals, yoga sessions, art walks, and even access exclusive events at festivals like Lollapalooza. This transition from logistics to lifestyle offers a potential model for workplace design. 

We can reframe the workplace not only as a place to spend the 9-5, but as a place to engage with daily. 

A redesigned app that makes it easy to book homes, services, and experiences—all in one place. Image Courtesy of Airbnb

The Space Shift to Service

This evolution aligns with shifting generational values, especially for Gen Z. According to a 2025 study on generational travel styles, Gen Z prioritizes connection, uniqueness, and emotion over predictability or luxury. And their behavior in the workplace reflects the same preferences they bring to how they travel, shop, and learn. 

By seeking moments that feel authentic and memorable, Gen Z reveals what the next workplace should be. Imagine translating that mindset into the workplace:

• A barista led latte art workshop during a low-energy Tuesday. 
• A pop-up kombucha tasting by a local brewer. 
• Community accessible lunch lectures with visiting creatives, entrepreneurs, or community leaders 
• Curated team-building off-site goal framework workshops. 
• A Chef’s Table lunch series where seats feel as exclusive as restaurant reservations 

These micro-experiences move beyond amenities. This is not just hospitality programming either, it’s a UX strategy, a digital and physical ecosystem designed to offer value per visit and build culture through participation. More than just place-making, this is moment-making.

These aren’t distractions, they’re how trust and belonging are created, defining workplace culture.  

Dopamine Design Boost

As Don Norman shares in Emotional Design, positive emotion enhances performance and creativity. Meanwhile, neuroscience tells us that dopamine spikes not when a reward is received, but when it’s anticipated. This is where workplace platforms can take a cue from consumer tech. Companies like Airbnb, Duolingo, and Instagram build addictive UX by combining personalization, anticipation, surprise, and reward. 

A future-ready workplace platform could operate similarly. Rather than logging in to check a floor plan, employees could browse a daily feed of experiences tailored to their role or team. If everyday office life included surprise elements like “drop-in” workshops, daily technology demos, or spontaneous pop-up shops, engagement develops as a habit, not an obligation. 

Workplace App Notifications might include: 

• Daily invitations to RSVP for experiential moments 
• A “cultural feed” layered into the desk and meeting room booking app 
• Filters to explore team-building ideas, wellness, or peer-led skill shares 
• Personalization based on department, project or past participation. 

From Amenity to Activation

Physical space still matters. Welcoming lounges and quality coffee aren’t going anywhere, but without programming, the spaces remain passive. What drives engagement is activation. This activation layer doesn’t require a big budget but thoughtful curation. It means designing moments that are intentional and attention worthy. This could mean hiring the equivalent of a Front of House concierge, someone who curates playlists and sends personal invitations, just as a boutique hotel would host their guests.  

Shifting to an Experience Platform

Think like an app designer: How can the office offer layers of engagement beyond physical space? Connect to emotions and create anticipation.  

Design for awe and discovery: Treat the workplace as a venue and create a program of rotating experiences that build shared ritual. 

Curate digital and physical experiences, not just amenities: Allow employees to browse, book, and share experiences with the same ease they would use a lifestyle app. 

Measure meaning, not just metrics: Track repeat participation, peer referrals, and post-event feedback as indicators of cultural traction. 

Design for participation, not just presence: Use UX and behavioral psychology to design interfaces that generate daily engagement. 

As expectations around the workplace continue to change so are the strategies used to shape them. The future workplace isn’t only about how we work. It’s about how we feel while working and what motivates us to return to the office. Airbnb recognized that an authentic experience was the real product. Much like Airbnb understood the future of travel isn’t just about beds, workplaces need to see that the future isn’t just about desks.  

The post Booking Belonging: What Workplaces Can Learn from Airbnb’s Experience Update appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Moovlab Pvot Chair (Launching Soon!)

Found at Design Days

Unique sit encouraging free-movement. It is the upgraded version of sitting on an exercise ball. It took a minute to get used to but then was actually a nice option as an active wellness free movement chair.

SkyViewPendant Pro Light and Audio by Sonocea

Found at Neocon: in the Design Milk Lounge

Circadian lighting and audio immersion in this wellness lounge was a welcome retreat from the busy Neocon rush.

Hyphyn

Found at NeoCon: Arc-Com 1194 | CF Stinson 10-150 | Mayer Fabrics 1173 | Momentum 323 | Pallas Textiles 1181 | Wolf Gordon 3-100 & more!

Great option for a high-performance vinyl, and nice to see in the market that many manufacturers will be offering this technology. Very important and great find in the Metropolis Sustainability Lounge.

Fractal Bark, Fractal Moss, and Fractal River by Momentum

Found at Neocon Showroom 323

Wallcovering from Momentum designed by 13&9 through fractal research. The showroom this year was calming and relaxing using a floor plan map to discover the space through smell and sound.

Cabrio by Extremis (Prototype)

Found at NeoCon Showroom 355

In a time where people are able to work from anywhere, this outdoor work-lounger was a perfect fit for workers wanting to enjoy the outside while being equally productive with sunshade and work tables built in.

Ally by OFS

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 1115 West Fulton Market Floor 2

An interesting entry to the private office sector, with modular components, pieces that can easily be moved around, soft rounded corners and particularly as shown in the photo, a smaller than average height adjustable desk – the focus is more on collaboration than heads down work.

Axis by Allermuir (Prototype)

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 1032 West Fulton Market

Designers have long loved this classic conference table base, but it’s now available with integrated power (no ugly sleeve hiding cords), and with a variety of quite large tables.

Central Bark by Darran

Found at NeoCon Showroom 3-120

I loved this unique and perfectly detailed integrated dog bed!  Darran has been a leader in human-centered design innovations in their office furniture, with a particular focus on thoughtful detailing and seamless integration.  This dog bed has an integrated light, and pushes back to be flush with the adjacent cabinets (with their hidden dog bowls).

Mackinac by Steelcase

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 811 West Fulton Market

In the category of height-adjustable workspaces, the trend in the past years has been to showcase larger and larger pieces (L-shaped desks, conference tables), but this year I saw the trend go in the other direction: smaller desks that place the emphasis on collaborative areas, or conference tables meant for just 2-3 people.

BeSPACE Credenza and Planter by JSI

Found at Design Days

Interesting space dividing components that are getting wider and taller that what were used to seeing.

Want More?

Check out our NeoCon & Design Days 2025 Trend Report here

The post New & Notable Products from NeoCon and Design Days 2025 appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

While advanced digital printing continues to refine aesthetics, it was the material honesty and purposeful imperfection that stood out to our guest correspondent, Nicole Zack of Ted Moudis Associates.

Textures were meant to be touched, in the form of soft ridges, linearity, and raised geometries, bringing depth to otherwise minimal color palettes. This led to another trend, “tile drenching”, where a single tile material was used continuously on floors, walls, countertops, and millwork. The effect created a seamless environment that emphasized cohesion over contrast. 

Color Report: New Neutrals and Earth-Inspired Accents

Neutrals now span a much wider spectrum. Beyond black and white, the dominant tones continue to be warm greys, taupe, sand, Anthro-tones and coffee brown. These colors were showcased in a range of finishes and textures. Blue and green hues took cues from the environment, from sky and water blues to herbaceous greens emerging as muted neutral accents. Earth-derived reds, especially terracotta and clay, rounded out the tonal base neutrals. 

The show reinforced that the future of tile lies in refining and enhancing the looks of yesterday. Across the show floor, manufacturers embraced timeless materiality, subtle surface design, and applications that provide timeless longevity in projects. Trends moved away from novelty and into refinement. Tile reaffirms its role as both a functional finish and a design statement. 

New and Notable List: A Showcase of Materials, Patterns, and Technology

Backlight Visual Printing Technology 

Digital layering creates a light-from-within effect across large-format slabs.  

Fondovalle – All Light  

Hybrid Stone Graphic Visuals 

New composites merge multiple stone references into a new hybrid stone graphic  producing unique surfaces that feel natural.  

Regea by Mirage 

Moonstone by Ciramiche Coem 

Breezeblocks and Extruded Wall Tiles 

Dimensional tiles add architectural texture to space dividers, façades, and wall cladding.  

Terratina Split 

Mirage Terrae 

Extruded Profiles – Natucer Techno  

Micromosaics 

Miniature-scale tiles brought intricate detail and movement to walls and floors, collections often borrowed from Japanese, Mediterranean design inspiration. 

Terratina Micro 

Mirage Nagomi 

Decoratori Bassanesi Flicker 

Porcelain Slab and Through Body Pattern 

Advanced production techniques now allow pattern and veining to travel through the full depth of the surface. 

ABK Full Vein 3D 

Fondovalle All-Over  

Hyper Real Texture on Surface 

Ultra-tactile 3d printed surfaces gave visual realism to wood, plaster, and terrazzo finishes. 

Tau Nordicwood  

StonePeak Mystère 

Crossville Laminam Gemini Plaster Look 

Post Show Reflection

While the experience of Coverings as a tile show is a showcase of surface, color and texture, this year it raised a deeper question: Why are we seeing so many traditional and classic stone looks reemerge?

Perhaps the answer lies not just in design trends, but in something deeper. The resurgence of hand-tooled looks, historical patterns felt more than just an aesthetic choice.  In a world shaped by rapid change, global uncertainty, and technology overload, are we returning to materials that feel grounded, familiar, and real?  While we might not be consciously choosing tile as a way to seek human connection, we are certainly gravitating toward what feels honest and authentic.

Images courtesy of Nicole Zack

Want to Attend Coverings 2026?

Anyone interested in attending Coverings 2026, slated for March 30-April 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, can sign up to be notified when event registration opens at www.coverings.com.

The post Coverings 2025 Trend Report appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Five years ago, we embraced the challenge of rethinking the workplace. Looking back at my insights post from summer 2020 a few things remain true. I still love face-to-face workshops and I am still hopeful that the office will serve as a place for meaningful connections. But what exactly have we learned from the past five years, and why does it feel that sometimes we’re moving backward?  

Overnight, we changed locations, and had to find new ways to stay connected across our screens. Technology became our bridge to colleagues, while trust, empathy and communication emerged as the foundation to build successful remote teams. The early days of the pandemic forced us to see connection beyond the physical office. Without watercooler chats and impromptu hallway run-ins, we adapted. We shared images of our pets and makeshift home workspaces, played virtual bingo and checked in with each other more often. There was a belief that, when we returned, we would bring these new behaviors into the office, to create more authentic, flexible and human-centered spaces. Did we? 

As the evolution of work continues, we realize this will not be a simple shift. The office holds decades of ingrained management and systems theory. The office-centric push reflects an urge to reinstate pre-pandemic models, despite evidence that work has fundamentally evolved.   

Keeping What Counts: The Lessons that Still Make Sense

Which lessons should guide our path forward, and which should we leave in the past? (Yes, I am looking at you, virtual happy hour, you must go!) We should, however, keep the humanization of our colleagues. Remote work blurred the boundaries between personal and professional lives, allowing us to see coworkers as whole individuals. This created space for greater empathy, respect and authenticity in workplace relationships.  At the same time, flexibility and autonomy have redefined individual expectations. Distributed teams have proven they are able to collaborate effectively across time zones and build strong relationships without being in the same room. Reinforcing the fact that presence does not define engagement or productivity. 

The focus is no longer just on where work happens but on how teams stay connected, engaged and supported both remotely and in person.

The workplace is no longer a fixed destination but a dynamic environment that supports focused work, team collaboration, and informal social interaction. People now expect choice in how and where they work, and offices are adapting to balance structure and freedom. 

A Workplace Embracing Experimentation and Exploration: Three Future Scenarios 

The Nomadic Work Network: A Lifestyle Office  

The office is wherever you need it to be. No longer bound to a single address, the workplace transforms into an ecosystem of curated environments, each optimized for a specific mode of thinking, problem-solving or connection. Companies shift from static real estate footprints to a dynamic network of global memberships, granting employees access to a network of spaces designed for deep focus, creative breakthroughs, or rapid prototyping. 

A UX designer may select a high-energy cultural hub, drawing inspiration from an artist’s studio turned workspace. A strategist seeking solitude could retreat to a biophilic retreat in the mountains, where nature fuels flow state. Others tap into floating coworking labs and autonomous vehicles seamlessly embedded into urban infrastructure. 

Instead of a fixed headquarters, the workplace exists as your global pass, constantly adapting to employees’ needs, moods and lifestyle. Companies don’t own square footage,  they curate experiences for motivation and efficiency, wherever and however one works best. 

The result? A fully decentralized workplace model, where physical offices blend with coworking partnerships, hospitality-driven work hubs and virtual experiences. The frictionless office network of connected spaces enhancing your individual lifestyle.  

This is not remote work, it’s a worksystem of limitless possibilities. 

The Hyper-Adaptive Workplace: A Living, Breathing Office-ism     

Offices designed as smart systems that adapt in real time to employees’ needs. AI-driven climate and lighting controls, smart materials, and automated modular spaces create seamless transitions between collaboration, focused work and social interaction. These workplaces are designed to optimize energy and space efficiency while fostering organic interactions and knowledge share. Imagine sitting in a workplace that senses your presence and responds to your needs, both physical and cognitive, before you even recognize them yourself.  

The moment someone arrives, biometric sensors scan their state, detecting whether they need deep focus, social interaction, or creative stimulation. The environment shifts accordingly with walls dissolving or appearing, soundscapes adjusting and personalized lighting mimics natural daylight to optimize energy and mood. 

While a team gathers for collaboration, the space expands, wall changes into an interactive digital display of real-time project data. For those who need solitude, acoustic partitions emerge, muffling distractions and crafting the perfect individual cocoon. The entire workplace operates as a responsive system, enhancing human performance without requiring conscious effort. 

This is an office that anticipates rather than reacts.  

The Office as a Cultural Nexus: Beyond Work, Toward Community  

The office is no longer just a workplace, it is a public forum, and an innovator guild for ideas. No longer confined to the rhythms of corporate life, these spaces dissolve the boundaries between professional, civic and cultural engagement, embedding themselves into the heartbeat of the community. 

By morning, employees and local leaders gather in open knowledge forums, exchanging insights that stretch beyond industries. By afternoon, immersive exhibitions showcase the latest breakthroughs, drawing in academics, startups and artists.  By night, the same space transforms hosting lectures and experimental labs where AI and policy collide. 

The traditional nine-to-five office shifts to a time-agnostic hub of intellectual energy. Workspaces double as galleries, modern salons, and research incubators. Project rooms evolve into think tanks, archiving the concepts, and discoveries shaping the future. Employees don’t just work, they contribute to a shared cultural and intellectual forum. Inside, creativity and discourse flow freely and industry boundaries dissolve.  

This is not an office it’s impact.  

Hope for the Future: Carpe Diem the Office

While those scenarios may not happen in the immediate future, sparks and signals are influencing our work today. The evolution of our workplace is ongoing and reflects a shift in modern societal values that are flexible, inclusive, and built for human potential. We need to move beyond the conversation of hybrid mandates, location constraints, and time-based structures. The workplace of the future isn’t just about where we work, it’s about how we work, why we work, and who we work with. The past five years have given us a rare opportunity to rethink workplace norms. Now, it’s time to continue shaping the future environments we truly want through relationships, connection and intentional design. 

All images courtesy of Ted Moudis Associates.

The post The Evolving Workplace: Lessons from the Past and Scenarios for the Future  appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Cersaie, the international exhibition for ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings, pushes the boundaries of tile design by blending technological advancements with natural and tactile aesthetics. This year’s trends highlight a growing desire for authenticity in design, achieved through advanced production techniques and respect for the tradition of the Italian tile industry.  

Technology Imitating Authenticity

One of the most significant takeaways from Cersaie is the merging of technology with authenticity. Advanced digital imaging has revolutionized the ability to replicate natural materials, allowing tiles to mimic the textures and appearances of stone and wood with stunning realism. Earthy beige tones, caramel hues and structured brown veins are prevalent, leaving behind the cool grey tones from previous years.

This trend, combined with 3D printing texture technology, brings lifelike patterning and veining.  Manufacturers create high-resolution reproductions of sought-after natural stones like Calacatta Viola, Taj Mahal, and Onyx variations. These tiles capture the rare beauty of these stones without depleting natural resources, combining luxury with sustainability. 

Imperfect Perfection

Another trend embraced tactile design in contrast to the sleek modern minimalism. Tactile tiles with raked finishes, pleats, and handcrafted effects bring warmth of texture to the spaces they inhabit. These surfaces evoke the sensation of touching natural elements of rough sand or smooth stone encouraging us to engage with the materials around us.​ Irregular, hand-tooled or painted tiles that show natural variations align with a growing appreciation for craftsmanship and authenticity, offering a richness that mass-produced products previously lacked.  

Embracing Earthy Warmth

Color is also shifting in notable ways, with warm, earthy palettes taking center stage this year. This shift also mirrors the trends seen at Salone del Mobile, where earthy tones and natural materials dominated the color scene, repeated colors embraced hues of terracotta, butter yellow, marigold, sage olives, and denim blue.  Colors were not only seen in the tiles but in the bathroom furnishings as well. Bathroom furnishings were a spectrum of muted pastels to saturated vibrant colors as an opportunity for bold expression against the tile backdrops. The overall color trends suggest a continued focus on calm, subdued hues that create serene, inviting environments. 

Seamless Maxi Formats

Another clear trend from Cersaie is the increase of large-format tiles, which are increasingly favored for their ability to create seamless, expansive surfaces. Tiles in sizes up 10’ reduce grout lines, creating a fluid, uninterrupted look. This trend reflects the broader minimalist aesthetic, where clean lines and continuous surfaces define modern interiors on the wall, floor, countertops, joinery and beyond.  

Sustainable Craftsmanship

Sustainability was front and center, especially with a focus on eco-conscious manufacturing processes. Thinner tiles that use fewer raw materials, reduction and circularity of water use, with renewable energy sources align with the Ceramics of Italy sustainability efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. This focus on sustainability is not just about materials but also in the production process. The tile industry is responding with innovations that prioritize both beautiful design and environmental impact in the Sassuolo district​.  

Cersaie set the tone for a future where tile design is rooted in a balance between technology and tradition, between innovation and authenticity, and between beauty and community. As the industry embraces advanced production techniques, it simultaneously reconnects with the tactile, the imperfect, and the handmade. This fusion of innovation and authenticity is forward focused and deeply respectful of the past​.  

See All of Nicole's Photos from Cersaie

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The post Cersaie 2024: Innovation Meets Authenticity  appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

In today’s evolving workplace landscape, the break rooms of the past are transforming into vibrant, experiential café spaces that act as the heart of modern offices. No longer just a quick stop to fill up your coffee mug, these new environments are spaces to build community and foster connection. More than simply an escape from the desk, work cafés invite people to stay, collaborate and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Our recent project exemplifies this transformation, turning a previously functional area into a dynamic social environment where teammates want to gather.

It’s not a space; it’s an experience.

Hospitality Meets the Workplace

Today’s café spaces embrace a hospitality-driven approach, designed to create intentional environments where employees feel valued. It is about curating a bespoke experience. The atmosphere draws on cozy, quirky, and localized elements, warm lighting, varied seating and that perfect hum of ambient noise that is proven to boost creativity. These cafés are destinations, “places to go to, not through,” serving as multi-purpose hubs where employees connect and collaborate in ways that go beyond work.

Crafting an Immersive Experience

Picture the ideal café experience: the soft clinking of cups, the rich aroma of freshly ground beans and a curated jazz playlist setting the perfect vibe. It’s the feel of the Hasami porcelain mug in your hands and the excitement of discovering a local brew that keeps things fresh and unexpected. You sink into the plush velvet lounge chair for a while, then nestle into a snug booth by the window.

The barista knows your order and the chef is growing fresh microgreens in the café’s own hydroponic garden. The evolution of café spaces goes beyond a design trend; it signals a cultural shift in how we view the workplace. It’s not just about completing tasks, but about enjoying the process of work. In this space, time feels expansive, borrowing from the concept of “Fika” to pause and savor coffee and conversation as an integral part of the day. These are the details that elevate an ordinary break into a cherished ritual, a moment to slow down and recharge.

The “Coffee Shop Effect” from Anonymous to Together

Why are coffee shops always packed, with the best seats often claimed? They strike the perfect balance between solitude and community. The buzz creates an environment that fosters focus without distraction. It’s all about being “anonymous yet together,” a feeling that workplace cafés are increasingly designed to capture. These spaces allow employees to work independently while still feeling part of a larger, vibrant community. Every element is thoughtfully designed to enhance life at work.

A Case Study in Connection: The Transformation of our “East Side Diner”

Our New York office is a prime example of how a café can become a cultural centerpiece. What was once a functional space, where employees refilled their water bottles, grabbed a banana, and moved on, has transformed into a vibrant community hub. The shift from two floors to one unified space has strengthened team connections and created a natural flow where the café is not just a destination, but a central point employees must pass through, fostering spontaneous connections.

Perfect for gatherings and social events, the cafe fully embodies the idea of “Change your space, change your culture.” Our New York office is a testament to how a thoughtfully designed café space can reshape workplace culture. It has led to a more collaborative environment; instead of merely stopping by, employees now meet in booths, sketch ideas, enjoy impromptu chats at banquette seating, or simply relax.

The café now features curated artwork and personalized touches that reflect the Greek heritage of TMA’s founding principals. With an abundance of design books for inspiration, fresh fruit, snacks, and the much-loved pebble ice machine, the café offers more than just functionality. A rich layering of textures, handcrafted details, and carefully selected finishes bring warmth and style to every corner. This café reflects how intentional design can transform not just a space, but the entire culture of a workplace.

Future Café Spaces: Where Do We Go From Here?

As work evolves, with generative AI handling more mundane tasks, the value of creative thought and human connection increases. Will workplace cafés evolve into purely social hubs or venues for event-based work? What will draw people in next? What will make them stay longer, engage more deeply, and feel a stronger sense of belonging in the workplace?

We are moving toward a future where these spaces will be deeply embedded in the fabric of work life, serving as platforms for creativity, connection and innovation. Imagine a café that adapts various dayparts seamlessly, offering quiet nooks for morning reflection, technology to connect with colleagues across the globe and lively gathering spots for after-work karaoke. These spaces could evolve with their user’s preferences, featuring art installations that change with the seasons or pop-ups that introduce employees to local culture and cuisine. Future cafés will be dynamic and ever-changing, rooted in the communities they serve, offering awe and delight daily.

The challenge for designers is to create environments that not only support work but celebrate the people doing it. As we look toward the next evolution of workplace cafés, we’re reminded of a simple truth: It’s not a space, it’s an experience. The future of café spaces is about the empowerment of the individual to work, socialize, or relax based on their individual needs. It will be a place designed to seamlessly blend curated artwork, thoughtful materiality, and tactile details while enhancing the sensory experience. Ultimately, these spaces will foster connection and inspire employees to bring their best selves to work every day.

The post More Than a Coffee Break: Intentional Café Spaces That Enhance Community appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

It’s time to meet the standouts below!

Tables Takeover

Howe Folding Surfaces Tables with OE Electronics Power

This table’s powerful ability to connect people in the workplace was an all around favorite at NeoCon 2024.

As clients adjust to hybrid work models, it’s no secret that the number one reason staff are choosing to come into the office is to reconnect with colleagues and collaborate. In turn, as workplace designers, clients are demanding more innovation in flexible and collaborative spaces. This table is filling a gap in the market that workplace designers have been craving. Not only has the company designed a tasteful folding harvest table, which is, in itself, unique, but Howe partnered with OE Electrics to integrate portable power, and guess what that means? No core drills! This not only satisfies the collaborative needs of our clients, but it also addresses a budgetary concern. As the temperature of the workplace is still adjusting since returning to the office, this is a no fuss solution in a time of transition for users.

This answers 100 problems at once; but let’s focus on the biggest ones: flexibility in collaborative spaces and less of a headache for power coordination.

Nienkamper’s Vox Community Table

Vox’s community table offered a great shared work table designed for the new alternative office landscape.

With a table that can be used for meetings or individual work. the integration of plants, power and height adjustability mimicked the variety of uses for the piece.

This table would be super successful in a communal work lounge setting.

Bulo’s Senses Bench

This bean-shaped tabletop design stands out from the plethora of rectangular desks.

The organic shape offers ample workspace for everyone’s tools and technology while feeling inviting and more natural. The use of a textured paper material is a refreshing change from the standard laminate.

Framery Four Accessible Smart Pod

The new Framery Four Accessible Smart Pod takes equitable design to the next level by offering unparalleled user benefits to all regardless of  ability.

The Framery Four Accessible is now the first smart pod in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Featuring a door designed for wheelchair access, low threshold, folding sofa and folding table, the Framery Four Accessible allows for T shaped turning in a compact, intuitively designed space. And with a bar installed for pushing and pulling the door from a wheelchair as well as the internal controls, screen and outlets being installed  at an operative height, the Four Accessible allows for completely streamlined, unaided usage. 

Sit Back and Relax

Thinkspace’s Neuron Activation Pod

The Neuron Activation Pod offered a relaxing and rejuvenating reprieve from the hustle of NeoCon.

The Neuron Activation Pod transmits very low frequency vibrations in the body promoting the body’s natural healing abilities, especially through the quality and power of sleep. This meditative pod would be a noteworthy addition to any wellness room.

Haworth’s Breck Task Chair

Haworth’s task chair sits at the intersection of function, form, budget, and sustainable design.

It is made of mostly recycled materials and is designed to be easily assembled. The color options work with any contemporary palette, and it is quite comfortable – at a shockingly low price. Simplicity (sometimes) is best!

Okamura’s Specere Chair

Channeling the philosophy of returning to the basics, Specere promotes a healthy and comfortable sitting experience, without being overly complicated.

Inspired by the drafting chairs of the 1950s, Specere has been reimagined for the modern office, uniting the charm of the past with the innovation of the future. The Specere chair encourages an active posture, supporting the user’s natural movement and fostering a sense of well-being while seated. Specere has been designed with the environment in mind. By limiting the number of materials and components, it has lowered the carbon footprint through production and distribution. While built to last, Specere’s components can be disassembled for recycling.

Shedding Some Light on the Subject

Haworth’s Pantaya Light by Pablo

Pantaya is a modular lighting system inspired by the lightweight construction inherent in camping tents.

The canopy-like knitted cover employs varying structures and patterns for a warm, tactile feeling. The integrated LED light passes through the knit structure, illuminating the entire canopy to create a captivating visual effect. 100% recycled polyester digital knit sleeves encase a lightweight aluminum exoskeleton like a sock, seamlessly conceal the frame and electrical components.

BuzziShroom

A Thoughtful Textile

Yinka Ilori x Momentum Collection

With names like Blossoms Time, Dream Catchers, Eyes in Reflection and Rhythms Surround You, this textile collection alerts all the senses with a playful aesthetic.

This collaboration marks the British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer’s first foray into commercial textiles and wall coverings. The collection blends Ilori’s signature, vibrant style, inspired by his love of color and passion for joyous design, with Momentum’s expertise in commercial textile and wall covering design. Ilori drew on his dual heritage for the inspiration for each design, emphasizing a commitment to affirmation and community that is essential to his artistic ethos.

Adding Accessories

Global’s Collaborative Spaces

These team carts elevate a space’s purpose with variety and versatility.

The post NeoCon 2024 Recap appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

To make the experience complete, attendees enjoyed popsicles treats from JSI, stepping into open air street level popup showrooms like Mohawk and an opportunity to make their own Design Days tee-shirts as momentos. Once inside here are the standout products and moments as captured by Work Design and our design friends: Arthur Garcia-Clemente (Partners By Design), Nicole Zack (Ted Moudis), Sam Mason (Collective DC), Olivia Danielson-Veed (HOK) and Mahsa Saeedi (Arcadis).

Find Your Seat

Satisse Chair by JSI

The Satisse chair utilizes a patent-pending design where the legs attach via magnets near the floor.  The magnetic were strong, the chair interlocked easily and quickly, and it makes everything nice and straight.  Easy to re-arrange, and it comes in guest chairs, bariatric chairs, lounge chairs and side tables.

Aarea Conference Chair by Teknion

In the spirit of circular design, Teknion in collaboration with Pearson Lloyd has launched a chair that uses minimal components, no mixing of plastics, and no adhesives – allowing for the entire chair to be recycled at the end of its life cycle. The knit back is also fabricated with ocean plastics, and therefore reduces virgin materials. This chair comes in a 4-star base and 5-star caster base, with the option to add a tablet arm for those education or flexible work zones.

I am pleased to see yet another example of innovation in sustainability and
circular design, and can’t wait until this is the standard!

Diffrient Lounge by Humanscale (on Preview)

Humanscale previewed their first ever lounge chair, ‘Diffrient Lounge’. Conceptualized by Niels Diffrient, this lounge chair combines superior ergonomics with exceptional craftsmanship making it ideal for work and relaxation.

Daymoraby Kimball

Daymora is a modern and comfortable lounge collection that includes freestanding and modular lounge seating and occasional tables. Inspired by clouds the cushions are comfy and plush. Metal finishes and flat piping around the perimeter of the arms, back, and seat give it a sophisticated look.

Catifa Carta by Arper

Originally designed in 2001, Catifa Carta features a re-engineered shell made of PaperShell, a revolutionary new material made of composite wood by-product, which provides the strength and comfort essential to Catifa’s now iconic, bi-curved silhouette. A first of its kind innovation, PaperShell dramatically reduces Catifa Carta’s impact on the environment by doing what trees do: sequestering carbon dioxide. At the end of its lifecycle, the material can be reduced to biochar, successfully retaining the CO2 sequestered during the previous life phases.

Duo Series by RAD Furniture

Is two is better than one? The innovation here is in the construction, which allows for two (duo) colors: the frame is steel and the seat, or top, is aluminum/wood. RAD continues to expand on their perforated metal offerings, with outdoor screen & ottomans, and a variety of new table options.

VIP Tables

Herman Miller’s OE1 Sit-to-Stand Table

This table is a great addition to the OE1 series.

And it got me thinking, why haven’t I seen this before? How great is it to see an occasional table that can transform from seated café height to standing height?

It comes in a range of table top solutions, and can be used in residential and commercial settings. Some features of this product include an up/down foot controlled pedal at the base, plug-in power, USB-C power access, cable management, and a bag hook. The only existing limitations are the sizes of the table top, but hope to see the line expand!

Admix by Allsteel

Admix is a light-scale table system that adapts to fit the needs of collaborative teams and hybrid settings.

I loved that it was designed with a focus on equity.

I particularly liked the training table.  You can slide the legs in or outboard so that you can push them together and have people sit all around it with ease or slide the legs to the outside for a classroom set up and have room for two people to sit comfortably next to each other. Before this table, designers had to spec the tables to have the legs in a fixed position which limited the flexibility or use cases.

Terrific Textiles

First Sight by Milliken

First Sight highlights the interplay between land and sea, capturing the moment when first light breaks on tranquil water.

If you look close you can see the subtle pops of glitter in them.

Subtle textures distinguish two organic patterns, providing the power to bridge spaces and define zones, and 14 neutral colors usher in serene floorscapes across a versatile range of spaces. Utilizing regenerated nylon, this product embodies Milliken’s steadfast commitment to sustainable design.

The Future is Fungi

Tarkett and Mycocycle’s Friendly Fungi Partnership

During Design Days this year, Tarkett announced their partnership with Mycocycle – “a Chicago-based, nature-inspired biotech startup that leverages the root structure of mushrooms to break down construction waste.” While this isn’t a product, it certainly is innovative in considering the circular economy and manufacturer’s take-back programs. I enjoy seeing product manufacturers listen to the asks of the design community to be less harmful to the environment. Tarkett already has an impressive waste diversion program, ReStart, but I can’t wait to see what comes of this partnership.

Etched & Threaded by Interface

Designed to bring the warmth of luxury textiles into commercial spaces, Etched &Threaded features highly textured products inspired by patterns and forms found in nature. This latest global carpet tile collection from Interface includes seven styles made for purpose and without compromise, offering designers choice and flexibility with space definition.

Telescope Wall by Teknion

Telescoping door, the newest addition to the brand’s Architectural Interiors category, is a movable door that can span up to 32’. There is always one fixed or static panel and then the other panels fold into it. It can open in one direction or it can have a central opening. The system has a soft close and there is no track or seal at the bottom. Another incredible opportunity to introduce flexibility into client spaces.

Showroom Standout: The Boom Bop Boing Test Lab

Shoutout to MillerKnoll who brought their Test Lab to Fulton Market Design Days with a full walkthrough of process from tree to product trials and tribulations of daily use. This was an insightful way to show to everyone the detailed work that goes into every product.

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