Virtual winner's podium – the ICONIC AWARDS 2022: Innovative Interior (8/9)

Does the ideal office actually exist? You only have to look in the archives of any specialist media on the topic to learn that the search for the perfect work situation is a perennial one. New methods of work such as design thinking are becoming established, the home office and remote working are becoming both more and more popular and necessary, while digitalisation is rapidly fuelling these developments. So how can New Work be shaped?

Of course, it's clear that, on the one hand, the separation of work and leisure is extremely important to people. On the other, it is deeply anchored in our culture to work together as opposed to virtually. The physical encounter is usually the key to cohesion and identification with the company. Those who take into account the employees' needs for security and development will, in short, be rewarded with agile, creative and solution-oriented action.

For these considerations, a framework is naturally needed. Interior concepts, furniture and accessories
that are designed for this exciting future have been honoured by the German Design Council among the submissions to the ICONIC AWARDS 2022: Innovative Interior. Among them are the offices of the Prague-based data technology company Livesport, which charmingly calls its employees pilots – pilots of a spaceship, you might think, when you see its futuristic interior. The hallway is reminiscent of an orbit, lined with plant shelves and seating landscapes. ‘The design of the office space created for Livesport looks very dynamic and progressive due to the rounded corners and edges. Contrasting colours and materials zone the space and, in combination with the skilfully placed lighting, help to reinforce the futuristic look,’ said the jury of this particular recipient of the 'Winner' award.

Another 'Winner' was the office space for the new Valley One24 office centre in Stuttgart, developed by Mader Architekten. ‘Ideas, innovations and interactions only develop where people feel understood,’ explains the office provider, which offers a place for creative exchange in 10,000 sqm of space. The jury emphasises: ‘The modern interior design of the offices is characterised by clear lines and cleverly placed colourful accents, which merge the boundaries between office and living and create a pleasantly friendly atmosphere.’

Often, depending on the day's mood or the current task, there are different or changeable usage zones such as meeting rooms, retreat areas or informal meeting points. Talo.You by König + Neurath, for example, is an electrically height-adjustable table system that, thanks to its modular design, can be flexibly and easily converted from a workstation to a bench, relay or conference table. Various frames and leg options allow for design freedom, even in the home office.

Diversity of both design and application is also popular with office chair manufacturers. König + Neurath, for example, offers a whole family of visitor, conference and work chairs in the form of K+N Nook, for which there are a total of 40 configuration options based on the modular principle. In addition, the Dauphin HumanDesign Group has launched Indeed, a task chair that is not only versatile but also manufactured in a resource-friendly way using mainly regional, single-origin components, which increases its recyclability.

Max Lamb has also committed himself to circularity with his Study Chair for Potato Head Studios. Each one is made from 833 recycled plastic water bottles and is cut and crafted by hand. Its striking aesthetics make it a beacon for the question that should run like a thread through contemporary office planning: How can we make better use of resources?

Likewise, the Bio_Diamond_Box by Vank
is not just a capsule for undisturbed telephoning in open space. The absorber panels used are made of a biocomposite consisting of renewable fibre plants – naturally a plus point in terms of sustainability efforts. Other helpful tools for the flexible use of rooms are the intuitively operated room booking system Naso room manager from the sms evoko group and the Neo Box from Fleischer Büromöbelwerk. Personal work utensils can be safely stored in the handy storage box, which is transported by means of a shoulder strap. The Neo Box can be docked underneath the table surface or used on the table as a laptop stand.

© Architonic