Sea change: Dauphin Reefs

An office landscape modelled on a coral reef? This may sound unusual at first, yet these fascinating structures indeed inspired the office-furniture manufacturer Dauphin’s innovative solution for open spaces and middle zones. Those who discover the advantages of these colourful islands quickly become dedicated ‘reef dwellers’.

With the trend towards open-office environments and the digitalisation of the workplace, the significance of the middle zone is steadily increasing. Many activities that were usually performed in individual offices are now shifting to these multifunctional ‘islands’. They offer space for informal meetings, collaboration, intensive brainstorming sessions, and creative breaks. This affords employees in modern companies a free choice of workstations, depending on their personal needs and the requirements of the given situation. For mobile staff who don’t spend much time in the office, they provide a refuge for focused work. Such versatile office areas need furnishings that present different workspace options, for both individuals and groups. At the same time, the high demands placed on electricity supply and noise protection must also be taken into account.

In response to these developments, the German office furniture producer Dauphin debuted its new Dauphin Reefs lounge range in 2019. The modular system of seating furniture allows the most varied configurations with regard to the arrangement of the elements as well as to the selection of colours and materials. This enables optimal use of middle zones and free areas in open-plan offices and co-working spaces. Innovative acoustic walls additionally ensure a comfortable atmosphere. Materials, colours and even the configuration of the furniture can be deployed to support an organisation’s corporate identity.

As the name Dauphin Reefs suggests, designer Jessica Engelhardt drew on coral reefs for her inspiration. This diverse underwater world features fascinating, complex structures in which no two forms are identical – just one of the observations put into play in the line’s endless design possibilities. The modules can be combined not only in classic arrangements, but also in serpentine, circular, horseshoe or even more unusual ones. Virtually any wish can be realised.

The uncomplicated, modular set-up is made possible by the core structural element of Dauphin Reefs, a flexible steel truss in the underframe. The options are multiplied by freely configurable backrests and armrests, along with screen walls that can be attached as desired. Thanks to this innovative system, Dauphin Reefs can be adapted to spaces of any shape or size while serving whatever purpose is required.

Waiting and reception areas can be furnished in various ways that simultaneously contribute to the zoning of large spaces. Whereas curved forms facing one another foster communication and connection, for example, separate islands give rise to more private areas. In this way, the lounge line can also be used to shape comfortable, quiet spaces of refuge in the sometimes hectic everyday office environment, or to furnish cafeterias and break areas.

Moreover, Dauphin Reefs offers myriad ways of complementing the conventional workstation. Circular or semicircular configurations, for instance, can accommodate larger gatherings meant to take place in a relaxed atmosphere. The 2+2-seater with back panels, on the other hand, affords adequate privacy for a smaller group to hold a quiet conversation. Guests and mobile employees find a place for focused work in the so-called ‘work units’, which include an electrification module and shelf with a lamp connection.

Although open-office environments can be creatively designed and furnished, the higher noise level in such spaces often poses a challenge. To ensure that concentration and relaxation in the areas for work and retreat aren’t compromised, Dauphin Reefs achieves optimal ambient noise conditions by means of acoustic walls made of two-ply formfleece. The inside of the panels consists of an innovative honeycomb cardboard structure with pressed ribs. This not only minimises the weight of the screen walls, but also improves the acoustics of the space.

In addition, the modular seating furniture is striking in its high-quality design and comes in a wide range of different versions. While the screen walls and acoustic panels have an attractive, unadorned, light-grey felt appearance, the upholstered elements can be individually chosen, in wool fabrics in a solid colour or a tweed look. Those who wish to can show off their bold taste in colour here. And the line also allows the furniture to be adapted to the image of the respective company by taking up the corporate colours. Wood feet in light oak or aluminium feet in either a polished or black powder finish round out the design options.

With Dauphin Reefs, the globally active manufacturer has launched a line of lounge furniture that opens up new possibilities in office design to companies and planners and enhances everyday work life.