WHAT'S UP Blog

New Work has long been more than just a buzzword – it has become the strategic model for modern companies. In 2026, the New Work trends are clearer than ever: flexible working models, a stronger focus on well-being, new forms of collaboration, innovative space concepts and sustainable solutions are having a lasting impact on the office world.

The world of work is changing. Hybrid working, agile teams and project-based collaboration are shaping everyday office life. Traditional rows of desks are increasingly being replaced by flexible room concepts. Lounge furniture plays a central role in this, not only offering comfort but also enabling new forms of communication, creativity and relaxation.

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.

In hybrid working environments, digital and physical forms of work merge into a dynamic whole – with constantly changing requirements for spaces, users and tasks. "Focused work as a scarce resource" has become a central issue: according to Sedus INSIGHTS N° 20, modern working environments must not only promote interaction and exchange, but above all enable targeted concentration. Open-plan spaces need differentiated zones that help employees choose the right place for their respective tasks. This means less rigid departments and more sensory and functionally coordinated zoning of the space.

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.

With se:cove, Sedus expands its portfolio with a sculptural lounge chair that combines retreat, comfort and sustainable construction. We spoke with industrial designer Konstantin Thomas about the development process, the design ambition and the structural principles behind the product.

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.

The world of work is in motion - and the office is evolving with it. What once served primarily as a place of “presence” has become a space that must accommodate a wide range of needs simultaneously: focused work, spontaneous exchange, retreat, regeneration and, not least, sustainable decision-making. Hybrid working models, new forms of collaboration and rising expectations around wellbeing are reshaping not only how space is used, but also what we expect from design.

With LOOKBOOK No. 03, we offer insights into precisely this transformation. It is not a catalogue, but a curated collection of inspiration around materials, spatial typologies and work environments - making visible how workplaces are evolving: in projects, in organisations and in everyday experience.

Sometimes you step into a room and immediately feel: this isn’t just about furniture. It’s about attitude, about connection — and about the question of how we want to work. That’s exactly what the Sedus HUB in Eschborn is.

Yes, it’s a showroom. But above all, it’s home base, stage, workshop, and meeting point for the Rhine-Main region. A place that grew from the local team and evolves every day — through use, through exchange, through real experiences.

Located in the middle of Munich, the Sedus HUB demonstrates how modern workplaces can be conceived today: not as a conventional product display, but as a lived-in space that brings people together, inspires them, and supports a wide range of ways of working. The showroom is far more than an exhibition area — it is a place where work, connection and atmosphere merge into a coherent overall experience.

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.

The Novu Campus at Zurich Airport is a forward-looking workplace that sets new standards for flexibility, collaboration and user experience. Since opening in 2025, the modern working environment at The Circle has offered an inspiring setting for a wide variety of working styles across more than 4,000 m² and three floors – from quiet co-working spaces and dynamic team offices to spacious meeting and event areas for up to 240 people. Around 300 workstations, 200 of which are in dedicated areas and membership-based, are available to users.

At the “Talk Green To Me” panel at the Sedus Hub West in Düsseldorf, the spotlight was on a topic that has long shaped the company’s identity: sustainability as a seamless, integrated part of the entire product lifecycle—from development and tender processes to use, refurbishment and circular return. In conversation with Sedus experts Niklas Flum, Simon Roth and Konstantin Thomas, the panel explored how sustainability is put into practice across the organisation, offering strategic insights, market perspectives and a look into design and product development.

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.

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.

As the modern workplace continues to evolve, spaces that are more than merely functional are growing in importance - spaces that inspire, connect and invite people to linger. Work cafés fulfil exactly this role: fostering interaction, offering retreats and encouraging creativity. Yet not every work café is identical. Depending on use and ambience, different spatial typologies - or archetypes - offer guidance for design.

In partnership with the agency Zukunftstil, Sedus has identified four such archetypes: Hub, Club, Library and Garden. Each embodies a distinct atmosphere and addresses specific needs. When combined with suitable furniture, colour palettes and flexible modules, a work café emerges that is not simply visually appealing, but feels like a second home.

When people picture a traditional staff break room, images of a small kitchenette, a coffee machine and perhaps a standing table. Yet forward-thinking organisations have moved well beyond that idea. In today’s increasingly hybrid, flexible, and people-centred working world, new spatial concepts are gaining significance. One in particular is attracting attention: the Work Café.

In the age of hybrid working, the physical workplace is not becoming redundant – on the contrary, it is becoming a valuable resource. However, we need to rethink it. The office has long been more than just a place for concentrated work. It is a space where intellectual, physical and emotional aspects come together, and which reflects the social and cultural DNA of a company.

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.