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The Launch of the Remode Chair at Ahrend’s Warsaw Showroom: Sustainable Innovations and the Future of Office Spaces

Photos: Kaja Kwaśniewska

 

A special event took place at Ahrend’s Warsaw showroom, where the latest Remode chair was presented. The event attracted experts from all over Europe who discussed sustainability, neuroarchitecture, and the challenges faced by offices in the era of hybrid work.

 

 

The event focused on the launch of the new Remode chair. Ahrend, with over 125 years of tradition in creating office spaces, is renowned for its innovative solutions that support sustainability and user well-being. For years, Ahrend has been fulfilling its mission by creating vitalising workspaces – spaces that promote the health and productivity of employees. One of the key elements of the company’s strategy is the Circular Hub in the Netherlands, a 12,000 m² center where office furniture is refurbished, giving it a second life, thus reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90%.

 

During the event, a panel discussion was held, gathering experts from across Europe, including those directly involved in the design of Remode. Rolf Verspuij, CEO of Ahrend, focused on the company’s values – sustainability and creating inclusive workspaces that meet the contemporary needs of users. Then, Stella Nikolakaki from UNStudio talked about the six-year design process of the new chair. She emphasized that Remode was designed with ergonomic support in mind, adapting to the changing work environments. Additionally, experts from Turkey, Cem Ozugur and Seref Ozur from Feltouch, concentrated on the future of materials, which will play a crucial role in the coming decades. They discussed innovative solutions aimed not only at improving user comfort but also at addressing ecological challenges.

 

After the break, the second part of the panel focused on the future of offices and the challenges employers face due to the declining interest in stationary work post-pandemic. Natalia Olszewska, a neuroarchitecture specialist from Impronta, spoke about how space affects our senses and nervous system and why designing offices with diverse employee needs in mind is essential. Neuroarchitecture, which analyzes the impact of space on the brain and emotions, plays an increasingly important role in creating office spaces that are friendly to all – both neurotypical and neurodiverse employees.

 

 

Bogusz Parzyszek, an expert in sustainable solutions for office spaces, emphasized the importance of innovative technologies and office furniture refurbishment processes, which not only reduce CO2 emissions but also create spaces that promote employee health and productivity. Magdalena Kamińska, Head of Talent Acquisition Poland – Senior Vice President at Citibank, also shared her reflections on sustainability and the future of offices, highlighting the growing need for spaces that support diverse forms of work, including hybrid employment models.

 

The discussion underscored the necessity of creating flexible spaces that can be adapted to various forms of work, both stationary and hybrid. Experts, including Mateusz Strzelecki from Walter Herz, agreed that one of the main challenges for companies is to create workplaces that support employee well-being and encourage them to return to the office.

The event concluded with a networking session, where guests had the opportunity to exchange experiences and continue discussions in a more informal setting. This was the first in a series of meetings at the newly renovated Ahrend showroom in Warsaw, which will undoubtedly spark further conversations about the future of workspaces.