New Work City: Interstuhl Splaces and HUB

As time flows inexorably onwards, it is important sometimes to pause for a moment: Looking back is just as important as looking forward in order to learn and grow beyond oneself. The German office chair manufacturer Interstuhl has done just that: opening its mind to new ideas, as well as analysing and rethinking its processes. However, the well-trodden paths of experience have not been abandoned – simply expanded to take into account future challenges. The result is SPLACES, a platform for a new dimension in working.

With SPLACES, Interstuhl gives architects, designers and planners the opportunity to move freely within the landscape of work when planning offices. SPLACES invites you to think in terms of new horizons, ones that were previously hidden or unthinkable due to imposed limitations.

Interstuhl's new platform concept clearly sets new standards for the world of work: based on a modular and flexible approach, the six zones not only provide people with orientation, but also offer the ideal working environment. Welcome Zone, Meeting Zone, Relax Zone, Learn Zone, Work Zone and Lead Zone combine expertise and the perfect opportunity to design the workplace according to individual needs - more communicative, lighter, more productive, more practical, more efficient and more agile. Additionally, Interstuhl compliments its services with planning inspiration and support, and the well known high quality of their planning data has been further improved. Inspiration forms an important part of the overall staging of the product in space.

An essential component of SPLACES is HUB, a modular system based conceptually on a modern sofa and a sophisticated wall system, which can be used together or as a single element. HUB designer Volker Eysing was responsible for designing the system: "The aim of the project was to develop answers for working in an increasingly digital world. Flexible in every respect, homely in appearance and an ideal working tool for today's office environment".

HUB is as versatile as the people who use it. In principle, it contains all the "classic" elements such as back walls and pods of various height and width, as well as mobile partitions, benches and side tables. All equipped with the most important features such as suspension elements for whiteboards and media connections. The great strength lies in the flexibility that offers the user the greatest possible freedom. A few elements can be used to create countless scenarios that perfectly fit the individual, the team, or whatever you may be planning.

The modularity and compatibility of HUB screen, HUB bench, HUB board and so on, does not only mean countless possibilities for creating individually desired constellations, but also ideal conditions for harmonious cooperation. The joint creation of new working spaces is fun, and can – as a positive side effect – even strengthen team spirit. On the one hand, meeting islands, meeting points or telephone booths can quickly be installed in order to introduce necessary areas of peace and quiet into the hustle and bustle of daily work life, on the other, to give structure to open spaces. The feeling of openness does not suffer as a result however - only flexible structures are created, and so the flow of space is maintained.

Individuality continues down to the smallest detail: the chair known as HUB 1 with bucket seat and both the collection’s sofas can be personally modified. Once the choice has been made between fabric and leather, it's time to fine-tune: the high or low back? the type of foot and the space available on the sofa – for two? Three of us? HUB 2 and HUB 3 make it possible. The ingenious details do not make the choice easy, but don't worry: all combinations lead to an individual result. One seat however really leaves one’s mouth agape. With HUB swing, Interstuhl brings a dynamic piece of furniture into the working landscape which is guaranteed to become the most popular meeting place in the midst of all those benches, chairs and tables. When work really starts to be fun, Interstuhl shows how it's done.

© Architonic