WHAT'S UP Blog

Wood fibre is more than just an insulating material: in the collaboration between Sedus and Gutex, it becomes a creative, sustainable element of modern working environments. In conversation with Rudi Raschke from Gutex, we learn more about understanding materials, regional responsibility and new perspectives in interior design.

As part of this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week, Sedus welcomed workplace strategist Hannah Nardini from WKspace for an expert talk at the newly redesigned Sedus showroom in London.

At the end of March, we had the opportunity - together with our partner ULISCHUH GmbH & Co. KG - to experience the keynote speech by Dr. Steffi Burkhardt. What she brought to the stage that evening was far more than just an impulse. Under the title “Mindset. Skillset. Toolset.”, she made key future topics such as artificial intelligence, generational change, and the transformation of work tangible - clear, direct, and relatable rather than abstract or theoretical.

Her core message resonates deeply: it is not the speed of change that matters most, but our mindset toward it. And that is where things became personal. Because the conversation shifted away from “the future out there” to a much more immediate question: how we as organisations, leaders, and designers of work environments must act today to remain relevant tomorrow.

Following the event, we had the opportunity to continue the conversation with her.

Open-plan workplaces promote transparency, interaction, and dynamic exchange. Yet the more open they become, the clearer the need for retreat emerges - not as an opposite, but as a necessary complement.

Sustained focus cannot thrive amid constant noise. With digital stimuli and conversations competing for attention, every interruption carries a cognitive cost, making deep concentration harder to regain - especially in open environments.

The question, then, is no longer whether retreat is needed, but how it can be designed without compromising openness.

It often begins inconspicuously: with a cup of coffee, a brief exchange, a spontaneous thought. Yet it is precisely in these moments that the potential of a space becomes clear - one that offers far more than a mere pause. The work café is no longer a peripheral feature; it is evolving into a central component of contemporary work environments. A place where interaction and concentration are not in opposition, but actively reinforce one another.

The office is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation. For a long time, openness was considered the guiding principle of modern workplaces: communication, interaction and transparency defined spatial design. Yet with the growing density of digital stimuli and the rise of hybrid working, a different priority is coming into focus – the ability to concentrate.

In an environment shaped by constant connectivity, the office is becoming one of the few places where focused work can be deliberately supported. However, this challenge can no longer be addressed with standardised layouts. Instead, it requires a more nuanced and differentiated approach to space.

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.

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.

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.

Sometimes it’s not the big gestures that make a space special, but the feeling that stays with you: welcoming, calm, open. That is exactly what the Sedus Hub Hamburg is. A place where you don’t just see furniture, but experience what modern workplaces feel like - authentic, connecting, and closely aligned with everyday working life.

Yes, the Hub is a showroom. But more importantly, it is an anchor point in the north: a place to come together, exchange ideas, learn and plan. You sense this immediately - because hospitality here isn’t an extra, it’s part of the concept.

What if a workplace didn’t just function—but truly made people feel included and valued?
At The Inclusive Journey, Sedus invited clients and partners to a collaborative experience to explore how furniture and workplace design can actively support inclusion, empower employees, and create work environments where everyone feels they belong.

How much of the future can be found in a chair?
At first glance, it may sound like a design question – yet it is a strategic one.
Today, anyone speaking about the future of business, work and spatial design is also speaking about sustainability – not as a trend, but as a mindset.

On 22 and 23 October 2025, Frankfurt am Main became the epicentre of economic debate. Under the patronage of Hessian Minister President Boris Rhein, five major business events joined forces to form the Frankfurt Finance & Future Summit – an international gathering bridging the financial and real economies. Listed corporations met start-ups, innovation met tradition, and technology met transformation.

The summit’s goal: to explore the ongoing transformation of business and society – with a focus on geo-economics, technology, artificial intelligence, and the role of the human factor.

At Sedus Stoll AG, sustainability is not a trend – it is a lived responsibility and an integral part of our DNA. This is once again underlined by the latest award: the EcoVadis Gold Medal, one of the world’s most respected sustainability ratings for businesses.
With this recognition, Sedus is ranked among the top five per cent of more than 130,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis.
But what exactly does this award mean, and how does Sedus manage to maintain such a high level of sustainability performance? We spoke with Niklas Flum, Sustainability Specialist at Sedus, to find out more.

How is our working environment changing, and what role does colour play in this? Jutta Werner, founder of the Zukunftstil agency, brings more than just colour expertise to interior design—her trend research is deeply rooted in social change and awareness. In collaboration with Sedus, she develops working environments that inspire, connect and make the future possible – with style, substance and the courage to use colour.

With the new HUB in Düsseldorf, Sedus has created more than just another showroom – it’s the realisation of a long-cherished dream. A place full of life, exchange, and new ideas. A space that not only demonstrates what modern work environments can look like – but makes them tangible.

Two people who helped shape this unique space provide insights into the journey: Mojdeh Barkhordar, Head of the Workspace Design Team, and Marc Goergens, Head of Sales Germany West.

The office of the future is not just a place to work - it is a place of encounter, inspiration and flexibility. At the centre of this change is a space that blurs the boundaries between working, networking and relaxing: the Smart Café. Located between the lounge area and the workplace, it impresses with its well thought-out zoning options, versatile furniture concepts and smart functions.

What happens when an office moves into a museum?
At the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, this question is being reimagined – and, more importantly, redesigned. With LivingRoom, co-created with feco × Sedus, a space has emerged in the midst of the exhibition, “The Story That Never Ends,” that is more than furniture, more than functionality, more than design: a place for dialogue and an experimental environment for the future of work.

The world of work is undergoing a transformation: wellbeing, hospitality, and community are becoming central to modern workplace design. These elements are no longer optional extras but essential pillars for creating satisfied, motivated, and high-performing employees. How can companies address these needs through their office and space concepts? With inspiring insights and practical examples, this article explores innovative solutions for the future of work. Discover how hybrid spaces can enhance wellbeing, foster a sense of community, and create a welcoming atmosphere.