Hyper-collaboration: Steelcase’s research-driven approach

Leading office furniture company Steelcase is at the forefront of eye-witness research into changing working practices. Its designers and researchers take an empirical approach, observing real challenges still faced by people in offices all over the world. One of their key discoveries is that in order to thrive, today’s businesses need to adopt a working methodology based on a much greater degree of collaboration combined with speedy teamwork.

Companies facing stiff competition also need to jettison a linear way of working in favour of a continuous exchange of ideas between team members constantly trying to reach the best solutions to problems. Such forward-looking businesses also nurture the needs of the individual — and encourage the idea of people being able to make a quick switch from spending time together to working alone.

Steelcase’s research has revealed that people often feel tied down in spaces with static walls and furniture and with desks arranged in regimented rows – when, in fact, they crave ease of movement and flexibility.

In answer to its findings, Steelcase has developed its collection, Flex, an interconnected furniture system that caters to diverse tasks in a non-hierarchical way. Its moveable, practical desks, tables, whiteboards, space dividers and accessories can be effortlessly reconfigured. The collection answers the needs of teams who are taking an increasingly agile approach – leading workshops, brainstorming and covering walls and whiteboards with stimulating ideas. Flex’s versatile pieces are conducive to myriad working methods, from stand-up meetings and pairings of people to sprint reviews.

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