Correcting your homework: BoConcept

Noise around the future landscape of working life is deafening right now. In homes around the world, Zoom fatigue from multiple lockdowns has been countered by the joys of hanging out washing between meetings and getting ahead with evening meal prep while breaking for lunch. There are those clinging on to a new-found life-work balance, and those tugging the door off its hinges so they can real-life zoom to the nearest real-life water cooler.

Some businesses have already committed to lasting change, swapping expensive real estate for minimally manned offices – and a reduced carbon footprint – or new locations, entirely. The New York Times recently reported that available office space in Manhattan has risen to 101 million sq feet, roughly 37 per cent higher than a year ago. It throws up so many questions and among them is how do we now shape our homes and offices to take us forward into this newly-nuanced working world?

The post-Covid ideal when it comes to working practices seems to have a different complexion depending where you are standing and who you are standing with, and how long you have been standing there…and that is starting to matter. Where once, attention was given to physical space first, then human experience, then digital experience, a priority shuffle has taken place putting humans front and centre in the decision making processes surrounding new working practices.

And when you put people first, you start noticing that we are all different. While graduates are likely to hanker after a physical space where they can make real-life career-nurturing connections and absorb brand culture, mature workers who have all the contacts they might ever want, and a longer commute, might want to stick at home.

In most cases, the human-first approach leads to the ‘hybrid’ model of working between home and office, supported by the next consideration – evolved physical spaces. ‘In any scenario, the importance of flexible smart furniture, and the possibility to choose “how to work”, even at home, seems to be the way forward,’ says Alessio Maiolino, an Interior Design Manager consulting for BoConcept’s Contract division. While busy projecting its own new office needs, Danish design brand BoConcept is also taking stock of the changing demands on the interiors they furnish.

Its very motto, ‘Live Ekstraordinær’ speaks of making every interior extraordinary – in terms of function and comfort. The social pressure on office spaces plays to the company’s strengths of high performing homeliness, but the team is also looking to make the home working environment equally extraordinary, by installing versatility into its residential projects.

‘Some people need to have a more permanent dedicated home-office space. A “safe spot” in the house, away from the everyday personal life – to retreat to with a cup of coffee in the morning, and leave all their post-its behind at the end of the day,’ says Maiolino. ‘Ideally, this would be a separate room, where it is easier to be productive and hold virtual meetings. Others just require a more “hot-desking” approach – using the dining table for a few hours per day to work with their laptops.’

While a dedicated work area might be an option for the more established worker, the reality for younger members of the labour force is limited home space where work functionalities need to be eased into everyday furniture. For example, Maiolino suggests, a corner with BoConcept’s Cupertino desk, which opens to conceal the day’s detritus, could be a part-time office, part dining niche, part craft station. Copenhagen and Bordeaux shelving will take your book collection and ceramics – but also your A4 files, dual functionality that make them perfect for partitioning off a workstation in the living space. And the iconic swivel-based Adelaide chair – all curves and comfort – can support workers and diners alike.

Even if the water cooler draws you in and meetings leave the virtual sphere, homes are now firmly a part of our working future and smart furniture solutions such as these are going to make the moments between stirring the soup and pegging out the washing so much more liveable.

© Architonic