The Vitra Summit, 2020
The first Vitra Summit was held last week via a digital platform as people across the world are ordered to stay at home in response to the global pandemic. 2 days of hosted talks and interactions exchanged scientific findings, know-how and best practices related to the future of shared workspace.
We tuned in to the sessions which brought together scientists, creatives, business leaders, chefs, athletes and even government officials to share thoughts on the present moment of flux which is affecting us all. The openness of the discussions was inspiring and thought provoking as we find ourselves in a time of much uncertainty, but a commonality emerges as we re-evaluate community working strategies. As a studio we have been internally discussing this and considering how our own workplace and structure can be evolved.
The idea of the ‘Club Office’ was perhaps the most resonating as a studio who takes a multidisciplinary approach as we work across sectors. R&D is being carried out on how the workplace no longer conforms to the conventions of the 50’s long desk based, regimented layouts, but instead re affirms the shift which saw the rise of spaces like WeWork and 3rdspaces, where the workplace leans more towards the comfort and warmth of a hospitality venue. The Club Office is a space for employees to meet, share ideas, connect and grow affinity with the business. The Club Office creates a sense of belonging but does not tie you to your desk. Individual working is allowed to be done when and where suits the individual best, but community is maintained through the positive associations of the Club Office space.
The session entitled ‘Where to Work Better’, highlighted how the age of the ‘digital nomad’ showed us that autonomy, self-organisation and happiness are the main ingredients to productive work. The office, instead of being about ‘production’ will be about collaboration, shared knowledge and innovation. Reinforcing the Club Office structure where spaces become places to build community, connect with the company’s values and live the company culture. A similar shift to that which we have seen in retail over the last 5 years.
‘New Dynamics at Home’ explores the affect the enforced work from home has had on home interiors. This year, for many the home became the hub from which we led our lives. Work life balance shifted as commuting time became obsolete and we turned away from the city and enjoyed outdoor pursuits exploring green spaces. For some, the realisation that we can and want to live with less. Some consumers want to spend more consciously and consider the environment with every purchase. The pandemic has reignited the discussion about the environment; public spaces mean cleanliness, hygiene and distance. A reversal of the millennial co- working spaces. The home is about a connection to nature in the form of plants, animals, textiles for a personal, living touch.
The last months made it clear that we have a choice, as individuals we can make a conscious decision every morning as to where and how we will work, as leaders we are also facing a choice; do we offer a physical workspace? What takes place there? What values does this physical representation of my company signal? As creatives we are called to guide the workforce of the 2020s into this new era of collaboration.
Words by
Katie Lea, Head of Design and
Steph Sutton, Senior Interior Designer