Patricia Urquiola’s new 'Openest' office furniture line for Haworth
The most crucial creative moment in the development of Patricia Urquiola's new office furniture line occurred during her first meeting with the behemoth American producer Haworth over two years ago.
'I remember we were in a huge room with an immense conference table,' recalls the Milan-based designer, 'and the worst thing is that I was sitting on one side and they on the other side - so far away. I couldn't speak in this condition.'
Urquiola remedied the situation by jumping up from her seat and running around the table to sit eye to eye with her American colleagues, where she was then able to converse, sketch and interact.
This close encounter began the creative process for Openest, a line of office furnishings that debuted this week at Chicago's NeoCon design expo and swiftly won Best in Show out of 410 competitors.
Urquiola's idea is simple yet radical - especially for a company like Haworth, which did $1.4 billion in traditional office furniture sales last year. Rather than focus on the classic table schematic designed for large-scale offices, her designs are conceived to improve and foster communication and collaboration. The collection features sofas, pouf seating, tables and space-dividing screens, all of which function as flexible design elements that can be configured in a multitude of ways for both open or conventional work spaces.
With fabric backs that create a cocoon effect and a reliance on soft textiles that recall the comforts of home, the pieces adapt to their environment, becoming as relevant for small team gatherings as for solitary moments of reflection.
Urquiola was inspired by the less rigid creative environments she has had the opportunity to work for in her career, but also by the informal ways in which Europeans tend to work spontaneously.
'America needs our [European design] approach,' she says, firmly. 'We work in a way that is closer, warmer and less formal, so it's easier for us to communicate.'
'Plus,' she adds, 'when people come to work, they need to feel good.'
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
JJ Martin
-
Why champagne pairs beautifully with fine food
Maison Krug unites champagne with decadent cuisine in the latest edition of its ‘Single Ingredient’ adventure, in collaboration with globally renowned Michelin-starred chefs who enhance the flavours and aromas of Krug Grande Cuvée or Krug Rosé
By Melina Keays Published
-
Australian surf culture merges with the charm of the Mediterranean at Il Delfino
Il Delfino, designed by Sheree Commerford, is a restored 1940s seaside inn nestled on the Yamba coastline in Australia
By Amber Hunter Published
-
Meet Scotland's best new building: The Burrell Collection wins Doolan 2024
The Doolan 2024 award crowns The Burrell Collection in Glasgow as Scotland's finest building this year, celebrating its comprehensive recent refurbishment
By Ellie Stathaki Published