The workplace is where we spend most of our waking hours. Because we spend so much of our time at the workplace, it can have a major effect on us. Vitra, a Swiss furniture company that has specialised in office furniture for almost four decades, understands this and continually innovates in this sector to build a better, more comfortable, and more productive workplace.
Why has Vitra chosen Malta?
At Vitra we believe in building furniture that adapts to the needs of human beings. We do not sell products, but rather create items that adapt to and enhance our users’ lifestyles. Our first question to our customers is not, “What colour would you like?” but rather, “What would you like your workspace to achieve?” We found a mirror of this philosophy in Dex Workspaces in Malta and have partnered with them to bring our innovative concepts to the local market.
What is Vitra’s history?
Vitra was founded in 1950. From shop windows, it evolved into office furniture in the 1970s and has continued to grow since then. Today, we have manufacturing facilities in Germany, the US, China and Japan. Vitra has always focused on intelligent design that takes into account the ecology of both the human being and the environment. We maintain strong relationships with many international interior designers who provide us with a steady flow of creative input, while our own engineers focus on innovative ways to bring these ideas to life.
How have workspaces changed over the years?
In the past, office spaces were segmented and adapted to the IT of the age, so big desks were designed to fit big computers. Technology has changed the way we work and workspaces have evolved accordingly. Work benches are now becoming more common and we are very proud to present the next generation of standing workspaces at Orgatec furniture exhibition in Cologne, Germany on October 23.
How do workspaces reflect a company’s strategies and targets?
Companies such as Google and Apple create innovative workspaces that attract what every company needs – talent. People want to work differently today and companies are embracing new design concepts to facilitate this, allowing their staff to feel comfortable in their working environments.
Are personalised workspaces more inspirational than uniform workspaces?
Personalised workspaces allow you to take into account the differences in your workforce. Your senior management, who may be over 50, may want to work differently from a 20-something. Today’s international workforces contain many different cultures and, by having personalised workspaces, you can create a productive environment that everyone is happy with.
How does the Vitra brand inspire additional productivity?
Today the office is a marketplace where you meet people and have experiences. Formal spaces do not encourage sharing of ideas and creativity. By adapting workspaces to match this you allow people to work how they want.
For example, our new standing workspaces create informal work areas that facilitate speedy meetings and staff collaboration, offering businesses considerable productivity benefits. In addition, studies have shown that workers are more focused when standing.
What about the health benefits of a good workspace?
Good posture is important when you’re spending a long time in one position. The human body is designed to stand erect, so our standing workspaces create a very interesting balance between health and efficiency. There are also stools provided so workers can sit, but the table retains its height, encouraging good posture. This goes back to the intelligent design concept that Vitra is founded on.
What will Vitra bring to Dex Workspaces?
Dex Workspaces is already a well-known brand in the Maltese furniture market, and Vitra will enhance this by allowing them to collaborate further with local interior designers and architects to bring unique workplace visions to life.
• Vitra is available from Dex Workspaces, Mdina Road, Qormi. Dex is a member of the Vivendo Group.
Patrizia Bartolini is Vitra regional sales manager for Italy, Romania and Malta.