WHAT'S UP Blog

For many people, sitting for long periods is part of their daily working routine – yet this is precisely what can lead to health problems and reduced performance in the long run. More movement in the workplace is therefore not a trend, but a necessity. Dynamic sitting and targeted active breaks in the office can not only reduce discomfort, but also boost concentration and productivity.

It’s hard to concentrate when phone calls, conversations and the constant tapping of keyboards dominate the working day. Reducing noise in the office not only creates a quieter environment, but also boosts productivity, well-being and overall employee satisfaction. But how can you achieve effective acoustic control in the workplace – and which measures genuinely make a difference to improve room acoustics?

Contemporary workplaces are defined by openness, interaction and fluid collaboration. Yet wherever communication thrives, so too does the need for retreat, concentration and mental clarity. Productivity today no longer resides solely at the traditional desk. It emerges from a thoughtful interplay between focused work, informal exchange and restorative pauses.

This is precisely where se:hive comes into its own: a modular retreat that unites spatial generosity, comfort and acoustic performance in one coherent design concept.

Hybrid work models have redefined the office. For years, openness, interaction and collaboration dominated spatial design. Yet alongside this evolution, another equally decisive dimension has moved into focus: the ability to concentrate. The latest edition of Sedus INSIGHTS No. 20/2025 “Focus in the Office” makes it clear that attention is not a given resource — it is fragile, cyclical and profoundly shaped by its environment . Anyone designing workplaces today is, inevitably, designing attention. And this is precisely where neuroinclusion begins.

What will the workplace of tomorrow look like – and what kind of space will it require? This question concerns not only us at Sedus, but also Stefan Rief, Head of the Research Unit for Organizational Development and Work Design at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO in Stuttgart. As one of the leading experts in organisational and workplace design, he has spent many years researching at the intersection of people, technology, and space. We spoke with him about how work is evolving – and what places like the Work Café will need to offer in the future.

Why do we feel immediately focused in some workplaces and constantly distracted in others? Why does an open-plan office sometimes exhaust us more than the actual task at hand? The answer lies not only in noise levels or interruptions. It runs deeper: into the way the brain processes space, stimuli, and safety.

For decades, workplaces were designed around the idea of an “average” user. In the age of hybrid work, it has become increasingly clear: such an average does not exist. People differ not only in their tasks and working styles, but also in how they perceive, process, and regulate stimuli. This is precisely where the concept of neurodiversity comes into play — and why it has become a central planning consideration for modern offices.

Sedus INSIGHTS N° 20 demonstrates why concentration, well-being, and performance are closely linked to sensory perception — and why work environments must increasingly respond to diverse sensory sensitivities.

Why focus depends on energy levels – and how spaces enable micro-breaks and movement.

For decades, productivity was primarily organised around time: working hours, meetings scheduled, utilisation rates. Yet in today’s hybrid working reality, it is becoming increasingly clear that time alone is no longer a reliable metric. What truly matters is not how long we work, but with how much energy we bring to those hours.

Sedus INSIGHTS Nº 20 highlights why concentration is not a matter of discipline or scheduling, but closely linked to individual energy levels – and what role work environments play in supporting them.

What the natural alternation between focus and recovery means for spatial planning. Concentration is often understood as something we either have - or don’t have. In reality, everyday working life increasingly shows that focus is a dynamic process, rather than a permanent state. It emerges, reaches a peak, gradually declines - and requires recovery in order to arise again.

This cycle of concentration is becoming especially relevant in hybrid working environments. As attention turns into a scarce resource, the physical environment plays a decisive role in determining whether focused work is supported - or disrupted.

For a long time, the office was primarily seen as a place of encounter: open, communicative, and creative. Collaboration was the guiding principle of office design – with open-plan layouts, community tables and informal meeting zones. Yet the reality of hybrid work is making one thing increasingly clear: collaboration alone is not enough. People come to the office not only to exchange ideas, but above all to find the right conditions for focused, concentrated work.

Many people are familiar with it: the AGR quality seal “Tested & Recommended”. It appears on ergonomic office chairs, height-adjustable desks and modern workplace solutions, offering guidance in a crowded market of ergonomic products.

But what does this seal actually stand for? Who is behind it? And why have several Sedus products – as well as complete concept solutions – been awarded this distinction?

We spoke to Detlef Detjen, Managing Director of Aktion Gesunder Rücken e. V. (AGR – Campaign for Healthy Backs). He explains what makes the AGR seal special, how the assessment process works, and why holistic ergonomics is becoming increasingly important in the modern world of work.

Ergonomics in the office is not a sure-fire success. Between modern office spaces, new work concepts and hybrid working models, basic ergonomic principles often take a back seat. Ergonomics expert Jörg Bakschas talks about common misconceptions, personal responsibility and why good workplaces need more than just contemporary furniture.

In keeping with the winter season, it's only right that we take a look at Sedus' traditional wholefood cuisine. For decades, it has stood for conscious nutrition, high-quality ingredients and respectful handling of food – values that were already established by Emma Stoll. Her commitment to healthy, wholefood cuisine has had a lasting influence on the food culture at Sedus and remains an integral part of the corporate culture to this day. The dish below combines winter flavours: the orange sauce gives the tender goose breast a special touch and, together with the apple slices, creates a harmonious taste experience.

Home office is no longer just a temporary solution. For those who work from home permanently, the demands on their workspace are high – it should be functional, ergonomically designed, and stylishly integrated into the home environment. Furniture that promotes focus, blends harmoniously with living spaces, and impresses with quality.

With its new home office solutions, Sedus brings all these qualities together: ergonomics meets aesthetics, technology meets atmosphere – creating a workspace that feels like a natural part of your home.

Hybrid working is no longer the exception but, for many of us, the new standard. The flexibility to work both in the office and from home is undoubtedly a benefit. Yet with this freedom comes a downside: digital fatigue.

Whereas in the past, computer work was clearly bounded, screens are now constant companions – in meetings, during discussions, for presentations, and often even during breaks. This continual digital presence takes its toll: headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or a constant sense of being overwhelmed.

Remote work is here to stay – but after the initial enthusiasm for more freedom and flexibility, a new set of challenges has emerged: fatigue, lack of focus, and nagging back pain. No surprise, really. To stay motivated and productive in the long run, a laptop and Wi-Fi connection just aren't enough.

The good news: Often, it's the small changes that make the biggest difference. With a few smart tweaks to your workspace, routines, and movement habits, you can reclaim energy, focus, and structure. Here are five practical tips to help you transform your home office into a space that supports your work – and your well-being.

Work has changed dramatically in recent years. Hybrid working is now the norm, blending the best of both worlds: the focus and flexibility of working from home with the social connection and structure of the office. But with this freedom comes a new challenge.

Our days are saturated with digital tools, endless communication channels, and constant stimuli. Always-on availability, long hours in front of screens, and multitasking have become standard. The result? Digital fatigue. Mental strain builds up quietly, showing up as poor concentration, restlessness, and disrupted sleep.

That’s why forward-thinking workplaces are taking a holistic approach to wellbeing – creating spaces that encourage mindfulness, recovery, and movement. The Work Café is more than a spot for coffee. It’s a counterbalance to sensory overload. A place to pause, breathe, and recharge.

When we talk about organisational culture, we often refer to abstract values: trust, openness, collaboration. Yet culture doesn’t live on paper – it lives in conversations, behaviours, and everyday interactions. The Work Café is the space where these cultural elements become not only visible, but truly tangible.

The crucial point: it’s not just about the space itself, but about what that space makes possible – and how consciously designed furniture enables and amplifies these processes.

At a time when New Work and holistic wellbeing are increasingly merging, a previously underestimated aspect is becoming more apparent: the combination of healthy eating, sustainable catering and modern work culture. The so-called "Work Café" has long since become more than just a coffee shop or lunch counter - it has become a place of exchange, inspiration and regeneration. In combination with regional agriculture and smart design, a new quality of working is emerging. A prime example of this is the close relationship between Sedus and the Eulenhof.

At Sedus, we use the term 'dorsokinetics' to describe a mechanism in the backrest that allows significantly more movement than conventional concepts. The first dorsokinetic mechanism was developed back in the 1980s, patented and used in various models over many years. It is also used in the black dot office swivel chair.