What to expect at next week’s Workspace Design Show 2023!
With only a few days until The Workspace Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre, on 27-28 February 2023, here is a taste of what to expect. The show brings together striking features, a thought-provoking programme of talks featuring a whole host of speakers, from developers to architects and their blue-chip clients, along with accomplished exhibitors showcasing the latest workplace interiors innovations. All of this incredible content aligns perfectly with the show’s theme, Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want To Be.
The four talks programmes that attendees can choose from are the Workspace Design Talks, bringing you insights on workplace strategy and design; FIS Conference, offering the latest from the finishes and interiors sector; The Occupiers Forum: The View from HQ, providing the perspectives from the all important Occupiers; and Sustainability Works, addressing the latest challenges in sustainability and ESG in our workplaces. Over 100 speakers will be debating these issues from companies such as tp bennett, American Express, Heatherwick Studio, Grimshaw, PLP Architecture, Jacobs, Unilever, PwC, Nokia, Legal & General, DWP and CBRE.
Visitors can listen to the leading architects, designers and occupiers talking about the latest trends, challenges and innovations within this year's 'Design Talks Lounge’. This has been curated by international furniture specialists, The Furniture Practice, in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio, Acrylicize. The Lounge will host the Workspace Design Talks across the two-day event, where leading voices at, Perkins+Will, Foster & Partners, WeWork and more will debate the current themes shaping today's work environments. The space will incorporate furniture by several iconic brands including Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia, Moroso and Vitra; while the stage will feature an immersive installation, designed by Acrylicize, celebrating material innovation in furniture and interior design with materials by Foresso, Kvadrat, Kvadrat Really and Autex. Flooring for the space will be provided by Tarkett.
‘Change by Design’ is a lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and biomaterials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future.
On arrival, attendees will be met by the spectacular Destination Workplace Rebirth entrance, designed by the worldwide integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm Gensler, along with design partners, AW Spaces, Acrylisize and Kvadrat.
Becky Spenceley, Design Director at Gensler, who is leading the project, showcases her passion for storytelling here explaining, “We are inspired by how we can care for our planet, and how we as designers can affect that through pioneering and sustainable design. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations.”
The popular first-night Workspace Design Show party, sponsored by FUTURE Designs, also returns on the 27 February. A stunning bar designed by M Moser Associates provides a focal point on the show floor. The REVIVAL bar will be the place to inspire, network, restore and recharge show visitors throughout the day. The concept for this bar is inspired by the practice’s mission to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials. The goal is to give these items a new lease of life, sparking curiosity and conversation. The space aims to take you from a state of flux to stasis.
Other features include The Mood Board Contest, and interactive opportunity for attendees to express their creative talents with Kvadrat products. Also, don’t miss the Bio Materials exhibition, designed by bio manufacturing company BIOHM. This will combine ideologies of the circular economy and human-centred design with future-tech, representing an exciting opportunity for visitors to discover advanced materials that will be crucial to the future of design. Altogether, the Workspace Design Show brings together the UK’s workplace interior community to explore the experience of tomorrow’s workspaces.
Preview in Workplace Insight
"A few of you may already know this story. It was some 15 months ago and three old friends met up for the first time in quite a while (well, we had been through lockdowns etc). Having caught up with each other’s news, the subject turned to industry journals, what the three friends felt the market was missing and the possibility of collaborating in the not too distant future.
That conversation occurred at the inaugural Workspace Design Show – which the three amigos were all hugely impressed by. The result of that conversation (and a few more chats and meets, of course) is Works. So, here we are, all those months later, pulling together a preview of the 2023 edition of WDS, which – we’re delighted to say – we’re very much a part of. And we don’t just partner with any one, you know."
Our long-standing partners at Workplace Insight recently shared an in-depth preview of what's to come at Workspace Design Show 2023. You can read the original article in full by clicking here.
"Technogym powers Warner Bros. Studios' state-of-the-art fitness space Zone 10"
"LIFTD Design’s and Technogym’s expertise was pivotal to create Zone 10, a top-notch fitness & wellness centre for Warner Bros. Studios employees in Leavesden in Hertfordshire.
LIFTD Design founder James Potter is no stranger to creating high-end gym spaces for famous names. But when he was approached by Warner Bros. Studios to create an on-site gym for employees and visiting crews, James knew the project was on another level. James explains how he partnered with Technogym to bring the vision to life."
Read the full article about this project by Workspace Design Show 2023 exhibitors, Technogym: Click here.
WDS Show Preview in WORKS MAGAZINE
"Returning to Islington's Business Design Centre on 27-28 Febturary, the Workspace Design Show is back, with the 2023 theme of Designation Workplace: Places Where People Want to Be.
In this ever-changing world of workplace strategy and design, there will be four different talks programmes: The Workspace Design Talks, Sustainability Works, The Occupiers Forum - The View From HQ, and The Finishes & Interiors Sector Conference."
On friends over at WORKS MAGAZINE took an in-depth look at what to expect from the 2023 edition of Workspace Design Show, from page 30-onwards in Issue 4. You can read the full article here.
Coverage of Workspace Design Show 2023 trends featured by Building Design & Construction mMagazine
"A wide array of leading architects and designers will also be showcasing their perspectives on the latest workplace trends. A series of stunning features will be presented, including The REVIVAL Bar by Moser Associates; The Entrance ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’ by Gensler, The Lounge: Change by Design, by BDP;
International furniture specialist, The Furniture Practice will curate this year’s Design Talks Lounge in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Acrylicize. The main stage space will bring together key pieces from leading furniture manufacturers, including Moroso, Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia and Vitra, alongside an immersive installation celebrating material innovation within furniture and interiors."
Building, Design & Construction Magazine recently featured a writeup about the up-coming 2023 edition of Workspace Design Show. You can read the full article here.
Workspace Design Show coverage by Refurb & Developer Update
"Workspace Design Show is showcasing a vast range of products that aid privacy and sound control. Amongst these are award winning firm The Meeting Pod Company, known for their commercial and domestic, indoor and outdoor meeting pods. Mute, meanwhile, will be displaying various solutions to regain focus and allow conversations to flow."
Thank you to the kind folks over at Refurb & Developer Update for featuring the 2023 edition of Workspace Design Show last month. You can read the full article here.
SpecFinish's recent feature on Workspace Design Show 2023
"Workspace Design Show 2023 is bringing together the latest innovations and trends under one roof, with an extensive range of unmissable products."
Our friends over at SpecFinish recently covered the 2023 edition of Workspace Design Show. Read the full article here.
Workspace Design Show set to showcase top workplace trends for 2023
From acoustics to furniture to flooring and fabrics, Workspace Design Show is the perfect place to discover the workplace trends for 2023. The show, taking place between 27- 28 February 2023, brings you an extensive exhibitor line-up where the workplace interiors community can gather and celebrate the latest in office innovation. With many new as well as returning exhibitors, London’s Business Design Centre will be the place to explore cutting-edge workspace solutions.
Workspaces are increasingly requiring multifunctional products. Furniture designer Pedrali will be exhibiting the multifunctional BuddyHub Desk, a functional and efficient workstation where users can concentrate and isolate, to partition open spaces and create collaborative and meeting areas. Spacestor will be launching their newest product development, Arcadia, a space-making toolkit for designers which brings the New Landscape for Work.
RS Barcelona will showcase other fully flexible products, among them its ‘you and me’ ping pong table which caters for the recent trend ‘microbreaks’ which are proven to increase productivity. With mental and physical well-being at the forefront of workplace design, Technogym will be showcasing elements of its product ecosystem: connected smart equipment for end-user access wellness. ‘Personal Line’, for example, was created using over three decades of biomechanical experience and feedback, combined with the design skills of iconic Italian designer Antonio Citterio.
Workspace Design Show has every surface covered from flooring to fabrics, which are increasingly used to define different spaces within an office floorplate. Flooring specialists Tarkett and Strata Tiles will both be exhibiting, demonstrating their latest surface solutions. Exploring the importance of colour and texture through fabrics is Kvadrat, a well-renowned textiles company, which produces high-performance, design textiles, rugs, acoustic and window covering solutions for both commercial and residential uses. BIOHM will present the bio materials exhibition, with biological systems at the heart of its inspiration.
Workspace Design Show is showcasing a vast range of products that aid privacy and sound control. Amongst these are award winning firm The Meeting Pod Company, known for their commercial and domestic, indoor and outdoor meeting pods. Mute, meanwhile, will be displaying various solutions to regain focus and allow conversations to flow. Making a return to the show are leaders in sustainable and acoustic finishes, Woven Image, who will be demonstrating the importance of ceilings in acoustic control. Fora Form, one of Scandinavia's largest furniture manufacturers for social areas will also be exhibiting.
The event will also host some of the industry’s leading architectural lighting specialists, demonstrating the move away from harsh office lighting towards more human-centric solutions. Collaborators include FUTURE Designs, sponsors of the bar area. This UK-based firm specialises in quality bespoke lighting solutions and has recently gained the Carbon Careful sustainable accreditation. Lighting exhibitors include Erco which has a whole portfolio based entirely on LED technology and Delta Light, recognised throughout the world for its subtle blend of ambiance, elegance, functionality, and design, both in interior and exterior lighting. The Indoor and Outdoor intelligent lighting specialist, iGuzzini will also be exhibiting their latest products.
A wide array of leading architects and designers will also be showcasing their perspectives on the latest workplace trends. A series of stunning features will be presented, including The REVIVAL Bar by Moser Associates; The Entrance ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’ by Gensler, The Lounge: Change by Design, by BDP;
International furniture specialist, The Furniture Practice will curate this year's Design Talks Lounge in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Acrylicize. The main stage space will bring together key pieces from leading furniture manufacturers, including Moroso, Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia and Vitra, alongside an immersive installation celebrating material innovation within furniture and interiors.
Workspace Design Show 2023 is bringing together the latest innovations and trends under one roof, with an extensive range of unmissable products.
Coverage of WDS speaker line-up and Talks in Dezeen
Thank you to our media partners over at Dezeen for their recent coverage of programme of talks, which can be read in part below:
"Annual trade fair Workspace Design Show returns to London for its second edition, which will see design experts debate topics such as optimising real estate with flexible design, employee wellbeing and designing the future workspace experience.
The trade show includes a programme of talks, following the theme Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want to Be, in which discussions will address topics such as changing environments, hybrid working and designing workplaces that will attract employees.
Speakers at the Workspace Design Talks include partner at Foster + Partners, Grant Kanik; head of interiors at Heatherwick Studio, Charlotte McCarthy; design leader of real estate services at Ernst & Young, Lola Hoya; founding partner and president at PLP, Lee Polisano; and founder and CEO of The Society of British and International Interior Design, Vanessa Brady."
Click here to read the article in full.
How can the circular economy help workplaces be more sustainable
Sustainability is at the forefront of almost all industries making it increasingly important that businesses understand how this agenda fits into the workplace and this is where the circular economy can play a part.
Whilst many organisations may have started looking at reducing energy consumption or switching to renewable sources, businesses must start to focus on their procurement activities and how they manage the resources in their organisations. The phrase ‘circular economy’ describes an alternative model to a linear business structure in which things are created, used for a short period and then thrown away. The circular economy offers an opportunity to transition economic activity away from the consumption of finite resources and towards a system that designs out waste and keeps products and materials in use for longer. Implementing circularity in a workplace can contribute to a business’ targets to improve environmental performance.
Making sustainable difference in the workplace
Adopting internal circular principles will only make a significant difference if you ensure that your suppliers embrace sustainability and circularity too. By mapping out clear ethical codes based on circular principles, it is much easier to communicate your expectations.
Selections could be made based not only on price and quality but also environmental impact, prioritising products made from recycled materials, leasing products for temporary use, procuring locally sourced food or implementing packaging returns policies can all make a difference. Adjusting everyday operations to introduce the concept of a circular office can also create quick wins. This can be achieved by removing single use plastics, specifying refillables for cleaning and catering products and optimising recycling opportunities and waste management.
Renovation and refurbishment of office furniture and IT offers an opportunity to transform an office into a circular environment. At Crown Workspace, our award-winning renew centre is the UK’s leading facility dedicated to remanufacturing, refurbishing and repairing office furniture and IT equipment. In 2021, we processed over 27,000 pieces of IT and refurbished 19,000 items of furniture in our Renew Centre. The total carbon saving of both furniture and IT reconditioning in 2021 was 2650 CO2e (tonnes), which would be enough to power 334 homes for a whole year. Our 2022 figures have so far already exceeded this, showing continual growth and development. Rather than throwing out office furniture if it’s damaged, doesn’t fit or the style is wrong, refurbishment is a low cost circular option or rather then buying new look for sustainable refurbished items, they can be of a higher quality then an equivalent new piece.
The motivations for adopting a circular economy business model get stronger every day. Natural resources are finite and cannot be relied upon indefinitely. It’s easy to think we can leave our governing powers to change the tide, but in fact, to have any chance of turning things around, every individual needs to change their mindset. It is important to make sure that everyone in a company is working towards the same end-goal. Rewarding employees for their contributions to circularity can prevent the rejection of new processes where years of consistent practice have been changed.
The bottom line is, if we want to have a world to do business in tomorrow, we need to change the way we do business today.