Dezeen Magazine

Hay explores the creative workspace during Stockholm Design Week

Danish brand Hay has used its furniture and accessories to turn a Stockholm showroom into an office-like installation exploring the future of creative workspaces. 

The Hay Workspace 2.0 installation is taking place at the showroom of Scandinavian agent Gulled – which represents Hay, &tradition and Magis in Sweden and Finland – during this year's Stockholm Design Week.

The installation features new furniture pieces by London-based studio Simon James, and Copenhagen-based studios Iskos Berlin and GamFratesi  – all collections intended for use in both the home and office.

The new designs are designed to reflect the move towards more homely office setups in recent years, as employers seek to create intimate workspaces that are designed to look more residential than corporate.

"Workspace 2.0 is the evolution of the creative working environment and the designs that support innovation and productivity," said the brand, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Rolf and Mette Hay.

"Hay together with today's best designers has developed customisable and adaptable solutions for meeting the specific needs and demands of the everyday workspace," they continued.

Launching during the week, the Triangle table and bench by Kentish Town designers Simon James feature lozenge-shaped tops mounted on triangular legs.

By rounding off the ends of a rectangular table top, the designers said they were able to create a more "sociable" design that can seat more guests.

Made from solid oak with an oiled, soaped or clear lacquer varnish, the Triangle series is designed to be used in both office and domestic environments.

The existing Soft Edge Collection designed by Iskos Berlin in 2017 was the result of exploring innovative developments in moulded plywood. At Hay Workspace 2.0, the collection will be presented in polypropylene for the first time.

Comprising a stackable chair, as well as high and low bar stools, the pieces all feature organically shaped plastic seats available in a variety of colours.

All the edges of the ultra-thin, soft-formed seats are bent away from the body, designed to optimise comfort for constant shifting and movement.

GamFratesi's new Silhouette Sofa series features smoothly curving backs and piping details across the upholstery. The collection comprises sofas in different sizes and heights, including raised backs to provide privacy in public areas.

In addition to the new furniture, the brand will also debut a series of Moroccan handblown glass vases featuring clashing bands of colour, a simple powder coated steel toolbox with a storage compartment in its handle, and a family of split trays that can be used for storing small everyday items such as pens, pencils, letters and keys.

The new pieces are on display alongside pieces from Hay's existing collection – such as Stefan Diez's New Order shelving and storage system, which forms the framework of the installation.

Hay Workspace 2.0 is open throughout the duration of the Stockholm Design Week. The installation will play host to a series of lectures by designers Stefan Scholten, Rolf Hay, Stefan Diez and GamFratesi that will focus on how design can support innovation and productivity in the office environment.

Elsewhere in the city, Form Us With Love is inviting festival-goers to provide feedback on a series of prototype designs installed at a co-working space.