Steelcase - Forward Office System
France, 2005
Using a system of fixed ‘bridge’ elements and movable ‘tables’, Forward gives users a new kind of freedom, allowing them to quickly reconfigure their personal space at any time to suit either individual or collaborative work.
The idea behind ‘Workspace Architecture’ is to look at the office as an integrated whole, encompassing the building, the interior structures, the office furniture and the technology. This radical new approach reconciles – for the first time – workspace requirements with office architecture. Forward is based on the recognition that white collar work is undergoing radical change. Technology, one of the main drivers of change, has created a situation where ‘office work’ is no longer constrained to traditional desk space and traditional office hours. Work is always ‘on’ and can effectively be carried out almost anywhere. Steelcase Forward is designed to enable change, support new styles of working, new lifestyles and new organisational forms. The table can be quickly moved around for an impromptu meeting, and afterwards returned to the bridge position to deal with tasks that require concentration.