ORGATEC, the leading trade fair for modern office and facility design,
returned in 2024 to showcase bold ideas and innovative trends shaping the future of work.
A shift to the cozy and collaborative
The traditional office desk is no longer the center of attention. Orgatec 2024 showcased a shift toward semi-public lounges, collaborative spaces, and furniture that feels more at home in a café than an office. Warm woods, soft fabrics, and subtle lighting were the hallmarks of these designs.
It’s an exciting change, but it raises questions: are we prioritizing comfort and aesthetics over practical, functional solutions for everyday work?
Office Pods: Focus at what cost?
At the event, one trend stood out—clashing with the collaborative theme and sticking out like a sore thumb. Still loathed by many, the infamous cubicle seems to have made a comeback—this time sleeker, soundproof, and complete with a roof. While practical for focused tasks, their overuse raises familiar questions: Are we addressing workplace challenges, or simply rebranding isolation in a modern form?
These pods appear at odds with the collaborative ethos that many workplaces aim to foster. In the long run, they risk becoming isolation chambers or staff kennels rather than spaces for a healthy, connected working environment. Is this really progress, or just a polished take on an old problem?
Workshop solutions: Built for bursts
This furniture captures the energy of workshops, where you switch quickly between teamwork and solo thinking. With big collaborative tables and modular desks for individual focus, it’s designed to adapt to creative and flexible work.
But what happens when the workshop ends? These pieces, while perfect for creativity and bursts of energy, can feel like a square peg in a round hole in a regular workday. Are they the flexible tools you need, or do they become space-hogging sculptures when the focus shifts to long-term tasks? Can you really lean on them for productivity, or do they ask for more than they give outside their element?
Chair tech: Quiet but meaningful
At first glance, we almost missed it—but these chairs are full of surprising innovation. They don’t shout for attention, but once you take a closer look, the level of technology built into them is seriously impressive. What really got us thinking is how much time you actually spend with a chair—hours every day, up close and personal. These designs seem to understand that perfectly, delivering functionality and comfort without feeling overly technical or fussy. It’s the kind of subtle brilliance that makes a big difference in the long run.
Lounge Areas: The wrong focus?
As previously mentioned, lounge furniture stole the spotlight at the event, showcasing plush upholstery and multipurpose designs. While undeniably eye-catching, their practicality for everyday work raises some questions. Are these lounges a genuine step forward for modern workplaces, or just a fleeting trend better suited to showrooms?
Back in the 2010s, Google’s lounges set the gold standard for workplace design. Today, these spaces often feel more like corporate displays than functional areas for employees. While undeniably enjoyable, how often do we actually use them?
At the end of the day, work needs to get done—and for that, most of us still need a proper desk. Ironically, there’s one thing noticeably missing at the event: regular work desk designs.
Aesthetics coming through
There was a newfound sense of experimentation in style, form, and color. While some bold designs were confined to room sculptures and doorways, others became focal points throughout the office, standing out even in typically understated elements like bins, lamps and benches.
Work from home... in the office.
The rise of “homey” office designs, with cozy aesthetics, lounge furniture, and work pods, seems aimed at recreating the comforts of home in the workplace. These spaces blur the line between office and living space, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere.
But while the style may feel familiar, it’s not a true substitute for working from home. Instead of embracing flexible solutions that support remote work, these designs often seem focused on making the office the dominant place to work. Real designs that could seamlessly integrate into everyday households for home office staff were severely lacking this year.
