In the five years since my agency – Impress Media – has been working on behalf of 3Sphere, my own personal awareness of the office design industry has exploded. Although always inspired by graphic design, beautiful websites and fashion, I had no inkling as to the breadth and sophistication of an industry which in my humble opinion acts as a trailblazer for a wider consumer shift.
Despite the impact of the recession, our tastes are becoming increasingly stylised as the influence of glossy magazines, stylised TV shows and super slick websites shape our awareness of what is possible and indeed available. In terms of interior design and furniture, a mass audience is now aware of Charles & Ray Eames, Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen as their ‘designer classics’ adorn the pages of Elle Decoration, the sets of ‘Mad Men’ or the shimmering pages of www.thecoolhunter.net and almost every edition of The Sunday Times ‘Style’ supplement.
The products themselves are of course uber-cool what with our retro obsession and provide the foundation for newer high-end brands such as Moroso, Porada and Natuzzi to flourish; lower down the social pecking order, Habitat and Dwell produce more affordable versions of the same products, but they are essentially selling the same lifestyle-driven dream.
These trends primarily stem from the office design world which has been utilising classic furniture designs for decades. The growth of companies such as Fritz Hansen and Vitra has established a licensing network whereby both the contract and domestic markets can access a vast back-catalogue of contemporary furniture for either home or office which have revitalised the pioneering achievements of the aforementioned designers.
Of course the office design industry itself is anything but static as corporate clients demand ever more innovative environments for their staff. When I look at the images from some of 3Sphere’s recent furniture projects, one just marvels at the vision that underpins the technicolour wonder that is The Guardian’s new offices in Kings Place, or the sheer understated elegance of Orrick’s cappuccino dreamscape, both located in London.
These striking interiors simply must have a profound impact on the respective brands themselves and indeed the actual performance of the people privileged to work in such places. They are statements of a company’s dynamic and intent; they mirror the aspirations of the actual business and ooze a glamorous confidence that lies at the very epicentre of most genuine brands. It is no coincidence that Prada and Gucci opened stores in the heart of Canary Wharf!
I make no apology for blatantly championing 3Sphere in this post. They too are a driven and ambitious company despite being less than five years old. I have had the pleasure of witnessing the business evolve from close quarters and they are now at a pivotal point in their history. The platform has been established for a concerted push into the very highest echelons of office design as their portfolio proves what they can do.
I encourage you to take a look at the 3Sphere site in detail and take a minute to imagine exactly what is involved for the company to deliver projects of such quality time and time again. The combination of exceptional design, stunning furniture and flawless project execution is the essence of the 3Sphere brand which is, absolutely, of the moment.
Tags: 3SPHERE - vitra - fritz hansen - charles & ray eames - office design
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The ultimate winner was submitted by London’s Jump Studio’s who hollowed out the actual chair shell and replaced it with fishing line: the effective is both elegant and innovative. Second prize was awarded to Ben Adams Architects with the bronze award going to Maris Interiors.
The evening was a great success and one must applaud Vitra’s ability to devise unique and visionary events that both challenge notions of design whilst also being great fun.
Danish designer Verner Panton originally designed the chair so that it can be manufactured from one piece of moulded plastic and it has subsequently become a ‘design classic’ since entering production in 1967.
Of course, company life often over spills into social pursuits as many of our clients and suppliers share the same the same hobbies. It is also great to get out of the office to relax and many of our key business relationships are cemented either on the sports playing fields or, in this case, on the chalky lakes of Lechlade which is Gloucestershire’s 5Star trout facility.
