Michael Schmidt, creative thought leader at code2design, developed „MeetYou“ for Haworth. Thanks to its lightweight acoustic walls, the modular furniture system allows for creating open and intimate communication spaces in an aesthetic manner. In its versatility, it redefines collaboration and inspires workers to experiment.
“MeetYou allows for arranging the office space in a highly flexible manner”, says Michael Schmidt. “It responds to the needs of people in a working environment that is characterized by increasing mobility, temporary taking-into-possession, democratization of the office organization and the rising demand for digital and personal dialogue”
Furniture creates places for meetings and dialogue
Information is the raw material of the knowledge-based society. But only in communicative exchange – mostly between two to four people – value-adding creative solutions evolve. As an innovation partner of the Fraunhofer IAO that examines changes in the working world, Michael Schmidt and his team developed the idea of modular communication furniture.
With its few elements, „MeetYou“ facilitates the installation of communication islands. Acoustically effective wall elements can be arranged and extended individually with or without benches, corner table with electrification, lighting unit and shelf. They form open spaces for dialogue and intimate snugs and flexibly structure the landscapes of offices and lounges.
Organizing space visually and acoustically
„Places where people feel comfortable nurture creative exchange. They should be attractive and commodious, radiate a certain calmness but at the same time animate dialogues and inspire“, Michael Schmidt elucidates. „We decided for clean lines, a lot of fabric and little apparent technology. This also allows for optimally modeling the acoustics of a room.
For „MeetYou“, code2design developed a system of self-supporting acoustic wall. They consist of an EPS hard foam kernel with honeycombed perforations that is covered by cloth. The wall elements are lightweight (4-12 kg), green (they consist of 95% air, are produced CFC-free and are 100% recyclable) and can be used even where B1 – flame-retardant – is required.
Design process in 4D
The „code2design“ that Michael Schmidt and his team apply, is a four stage process: Under the heading of „Desire“, development trends and people‘s wishes in the context of a branded product are analyzed. Unique value aspects and solution approaches are then mapped in a strategic innovation process called „Devise“.
The „Development“ happens in interdisciplinary dialogue between specialists for materials, production technologies and design. Finally, the product receives its conclusive form in the „Design“ phase. Along the lines of „form follows content“, it tells a story that serves functional aspects and fulfills the emotional needs and desires of the People.
