Flex Appeal

FURNITURE, TODAY, HAS EVOLVED DRASTICALLY TO TRANSFORM THE LANDSCAPE OF A TYPICAL OFFICE

- Carol Ferrao

With individuals spending most of their waking hours at work, the need for well-designed, ergonomic office space has become crucial. There is great emphasis now on creating the right environment that is relaxed but simultaneously fosters productivity. This has impacted the way office furniture has been perceived and designed over the years. From casual seating to flexible workstations, office furniture has evolved drastically and changed the typical office ambience. Whether it is coloured, the use of environment-friendly materials or ergonomic form, the way office furniture is being designed and manufactured today is impressive.

In their study, Godrej Interio learned how the transforming nature of work and a younger workforce are altering workplaces, from pure ‘work hubs’ into ‘social hubs’. “The current Indian workforce, of which 46% are millennials, prefer three types of workplaces – to focus, relax and collaborate,” explains Sameer Joshi, associate vice president, Marketing (B2B), Godrej Interio. Modern office furniture, therefore, isn’t just about creating productive work environments – but an enjoyable work life, where employees can work and socialise in flexible work settings.

Flexibility is key to office design lately, as the workforce gets younger and unconventional working methods to become the new norm. Designs, today, are focusing on making a self-configurable office that can be altered with the need of the hour, agrees Praveen Rawal, managing director, Steelcase India and South East Asia. “The Indian workplaces ecosystem is going to see a lot of exciting changes on the same lines backed by digitisation.”