Workspace Invaders
In a forward-looking workshop run by charity Open-City for HÅG, London school kids envisaged the workspace they would want to be working in when their time comes...
A workshop for London schoolchildren has used a similar premise to our If Only feature to invite the youngsters to think about future workplace environments.
Organised by workplace seating developer and manufacturer HÅG, in collaboration with the Open-City charity, the Workspace Invaders workshop resulted in the 16 young people, all from London state schools, coming up with some exhilarating and inspiring ideas.
The pupils were committed to the idea of health and fitness in the workplace, but at the same time wanted simple tasks -- moving around the office, for example -- to be as effortless as possible, such as using Segways or chairs that mould to the user's body shape
Innovative ideas included hanging pods to work in, holograms on walls to change working environments, interactive tablet desks that turn into beds, virtual reality rooms, and communal vegetable allotments to provide ingredients for healthy lunches.
Four key themes emerged during the workshop that revealed how the young people felt about their future workplace -- health, the environment, technology and innovative workspaces. They didn't share the current trend of shared workspaces but instead wanted a mix of collaborative areas and isolated work pods that could be customised and personalised for the users' requirements.
The importance of sleep was raised, with one youngster designing a work desk that could be flipped to make a bed, with a built-in alarm
Following a similar workshop held by Scandinavia-based company HÅG in Oslo, Jorgen Josefsson, MD of HÅG, said: 'It's been really exciting to see how the youth of London and Oslo compare. Both groups showed enthusiasm for good design and appreciated the importance of a good work-life balance.
It is also clear that Generation Z expects their future employers to look after their wellbeing by designing spaces that enhance this and provide areas suitable for a variety of tasks.
When workers needed peace and quiet to focus on work they will climb into their hanging pod, where there is a single interactive desk
'This is in keeping with HÅG's whole ethos. Our philosophy is based on the fact that the human body is not made for sitting still but for movement and variation. We believe in good design and ergonomics wherever you are working. This workshop has been fascinating in exploring how we can continue to bridge the gap between future design and the workplace.'
The London workshop brought together teenagers to imagine what they expect of their future workplace. The workshop was managed by Open-City (the charity responsible for the popular Open House architecture weekends), which invited the youngsters to take part in the workshop and be mentored by eight leading architects drawn from high-profile British and international practices -- Allies & Morrison, Buckley Grey Yeoman, Burwell Deakins, Jestico + Whiles, Orms and Sheppard Robson. The architects gave design advice for each team of youngsters, supplying them with the tools to bring their vision to life.
Open-City
The Open-City charity is dedicated to developing a better understanding of the built environment for everyone through direct access, experience and debate. It runs educative initiatives with schools and community groups, and Open House, the annual event opening up to 850 buildings in London. That regularly attracts 250,000 visitors, steadily introducing new audiences to London's built environment.
HÅG
A brand of Scandanavian Business Seating, HÅG has been developing and manufacturing original office chairs since 1943. The brand is a European leader and its products are available worldwide.
