ORGATEC 2022, one of the leading international trade fairs of contract furniture, was just brought to a satisfactory close in Cologne, Germany. This event has never been as relevant as it is today -- after all the huge changes caused by COVID. The pandemic has exactly stepped on the gas from so many what we thought “a vision of the future” to now the “new normal”.

“HYBRID WORKING MODELS ARE BECOMING ESTABLISHED. 80% OF EXECUTIVES AROUND THE WORLD REPORT THAT THEIR COMPANIES HAVE HYBRID OR FULLY REMOTE WORKING MODELS IN PLACE.“
(From: entrust.com)

The event, with its theme NEW VISIONS OF WORK, gathers experts from several fields to discuss the new work culture (hybrid and multi-local) , new talents (creative and independent) , and new facilities (interiors and furniture design) with accelerating unshackling of work from fixed places and times.

Here we go review the major inspirations having been illustrated on ORGATEC 2022:

1.Forever flexible: shaping spaces with interior design

Employees mostly prefer unique and adaptable workspace in the same way they prefer a rich and abundant color palette over dull, uniform gray surroundings. Upholstered parts, backrests, partition walls and accessories that divide spaces into zones are more highly needed than ever before.

→ GRADO’s Modo Pod Screens and Cosy Screens are always ready to add connectivity and flexibility to your open plan office.

GRADO PRODUCT: MODO POD SCREEN; COSY SCREEN (WITH 4 CASTERS)

→ Our new arrival Wave Screens with optional heights, variegated upholsteries and curved silhouette add even more flavor to the office.

GRADO PRODUCT：WAVE SCREEN

2.Versatile all-rounders: multipurpose furniture

A key point to make the office a more attractive place is the multiflexible and multifunctional furnishings that people are not likely to have at their home. The pieces that can be rearranged quickly and in many different ways are always welcome since they offer both individualized comforts and convenience for all.

→ GRADO’S Walker Series work as walking shelf, walking TV holder and walking whiteboard with poufs. It infuses incredible flexibility into the staff’s collaboration and the office setup.

GRADO PRODUCT: WALKER SERIES

3.Naturally sustainable: materials in the cycle

We can even sense in our everyday life that climate crisis is influencing every sector, every industry, every corner of the world. Product design considering the cradle-to-cradle principle is going to be more people’s choice as a decisive step towards embedding sustainability. Sustainable solutions for interior design, for design and architecture have been around since several years in development.

→ Having been committed to this concept, GRADO R&D designers innovatively selected a special felt made from recycled PET material to create our socially responsible piece, Felty Box.

GRADO PRODUCT: FELTY BOX;

4.Green working environment: taking inspiration from nature

It has been a trend to “go green” in the office through biophilic design, including letting in natural light, vegetation or naturalistic design. Natural features absolutely offer a contrast to technology and the hustling and bustling urban life.

→ We are glad to introduce our greener office projects:

GRADO × Deep Instinct Israel Office
Application_LIP SOFA; BRIDGE BAR TABLE; LINK BARSTOOL

GRADO × WeWork Co-working Office
Application_FATTY SOFA;

5. Cosy office furniture: the new at-home feeling

A clear strategy for the future working environments is to allow teams to fulfill their potential and staff to find meaning. A half-hub-half-home office would be a place where people feel comfortable and with which they can identify. This trend has also blurred the boundaries between design for the office and the home.

→ GRADO’s Velotix Offices Project literally follow the concept to create a feel-at-home ambience in the workspace. Our Belly Lounge Chair, Lip Sofa and Luna Sofa all introduce a touch of cozy comfort into the office environment.

GRADO × VELOTIX Offices
Application_LIP SOFA; LUNA SOFA; BELLY LOUNGE CHAIR;

6. Office design for the home

Hybrid and multilocal working has made home office a new necessary setup at home.

→ GRADO’s Aura Height-Adjustable Table is an electrical sit-stand table friendly to anyone’s use regardless of personal habits and heights

GRADO PRODUCT: AURA HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE TABLE

7. Audible well-being: improving room acoustics

The open plan layout and flexible, agile working require office furniture aimed at optimizing acoustics. Room-in-room systems, sound-absorbing upholstered screens and other pieces for digital meetings, quiet conversations and work requiring full concentration can be both acoustically and visually attractive.

→ Flex Space office pod and Hi-Cube are definitely admirable choices for improving the state of acoustics for an open plan office. Their phonebooth form perfectly minimizes the noise from outside and guarantees the acoustic privacy inside.

GRADO: FLEX SPACE

GRADO: HI-CUBE

8. Healthy workplaces: ergonomic and antiviral products

The pandemic has raised the health issue even higher prominence and added additional considerations. The spectrum of current solutions ranges from ergonomic furniture for the workplace to room ventilators and antiviral surfaces. Alongside ergonomics and physical and mental fitness, hygiene is becoming a new consideration worth people’s attention in the office furniture and interiors design.

→ GRADO’s Every Chair made from lightweight PP and Lord Office Chair with high resilience foam upholstery both offer ergonomic seating comfort, friendly to one’s long work hours.

GRADO PRODUCT: EVERY CHAIR; LORD OFFICE CHAIR

We have witnessed a “radical revolution” happening in the world of works. It’s amazing to see professionals from the fields of human resources, process management, workplace planning, facility management as well as architecture, interior design, and design and real estate gather at ORGATEC 2022, discussing the cutting-edge mobile, hybrid and agile working concepts. Just as the event has declared:

“The future belongs to flexible knowledge workers
who work creatively and on their own responsibility
- and to a work culture whose basis, more than ever,
is partnership-based cooperation, motivation and trust.”