‘never have changes to workspaces, homes and public spaces been so urgent. rarely before have we collectively questioned the function of these spaces so thoroughly,’ states nora fehlbaum, CEO of VITRA, ahead of the VITRA summit on october 22 and 23, 2020. ‘over the two days of our summit, we have invited scientists, creatives, business leaders, a chef and even athletes to share insights with you. VITRA is hosting this exchange that will go well beyond furniture.’

 

free of charge and open to all, the VITRA summit will reflect upon the radical change of perception of spaces at home, in the office and in public areas. hear the thoughts of business leaders, creatives, scientists, athletes and more by registering to view the whole program, here.

 

 

 

the VITRA summit offers a reflective, exploratory platform to converse about the future of our shared spaces. in 2020, companies were pushed into remote working, and homes suddenly became a place in which to work, spend time with the family, learn, celebrate, grieve and more – all at the same time. VITRA believes that our surroundings continually shape our thoughts and feelings. interior spaces can shift culture, lift spirits and impact the wellbeing of their inhabitants. the program reflects on what the pandemic means for the future of workspaces and the function of our homes through four main themes: the human and the office; design matters; dynamic spaces; and remote world.

 

 

the human and the office explores the radical shift in our working environments seen in 2020. in just a few months, many became experts at using diverse online platforms to connect to colleagues, friends and families, which proposed many new questions: does this new meeting mode bring us the same satisfaction and outcome, will we miss the office if it disappears, and how can we redesign workspace interactions? join experts such as the psychotherapist esther perel, the interior architect sevil peach, designer duo barber osgerby, INSEAD professor gianpiero petriglieri, author and computer science professor, cal newport, and others.

 

 

 

design matters discusses materials in the context of design. it also queries what impact past crises have had on interiors throughout history. this session includes a conversation between christian grosen rasmussn, chief design officer at VITRA, natsai audrey chieza, CEO of faber futures, industrial designer konstantin grcic, and jan boelen, the creative director of atelier luma. other participants will include princeton professor beatriz colomina and freelance writer kyle chayka. in this session, VITRA chairman rolf fehlbaum will also offer historical insights into the cantilever chair typology and will discuss the innovation potential of cantilever seating with mateo kries, director of the VITRA design museum.

 

‘during the VITRA summit, I will function a bit as an ‘agent provocateur’,‘ adds jan boelen to designboom. ‘in the material matters conversation, we will explore how materials are the core of design. as our environmental awareness evolves, so does our choice of materials when designing objects and interiors. can design contribute to a responsible use of materials? is it possible to make design more sustainable? can we create, develop, produce and consume in alternative ways and protect the interests of the next generations? natsai audrey chieza, konstantin grcic, christian grosen and myself will look at contemporary examples that are shaping a sustainable future.‘

 

 

 

dynamic spaces explores how office environments with a flexible design and a philosophy of change have a clear advantage, as seen over 2020. these spaces can be easily adapted to changing health considerations and work patterns. the topic is questioned by sharon johnston, founding partner of LA-based architecture practice johnston marklee; david allemann, co-founder of the global shoe brand on, in conversation with nora fehlbaum, CEO of VITRA. another dialogue will gather isle crawford, founder of studioilse; ivy ross, vice president of design for the hardware organization, google; and aric chen, curatorial director at design miami, who will look into the future of our homes.

 

 

 

lastly, remote world further explores our increased demands from our homes. these safe havens, which now need to function as our office and school, playground and gym, restaurant and cinema. it questions how, as we continue to spend more time at home with some level of remote working to stay, will our freedom result in an urban exodus? the theme investigates the new work-life balance and the impact remote working on cities, companies and homes. new york-based curator and critic beatrice galilee, creative director of design academy eindhoven joseph grima, architect and urban planner stefano boeri, and maurice cox, the commissioner of the department of planning and development at the city of chicago, will join the conversation.

 

‘on the second day of the VITRA summit, we will explore the concept of ‘home as hub’ with beatrice galilee, maurice cox and stefano boeri,‘ explains joseph grima to designboom. ‘in this conversation, we will be looking into how the need to adapt cities to new ways of working, living and socializing is clear, yet the form of the post-COVID19 city remains elusive. is the office truly a thing of the past, replaced by the home as a versatile, adaptive hub? will our freedom to work remotely result in a return to rurality, or will our cities simply look more like the countryside? in this discussion we will consider whether a public health emergency can actually change cities for the better, giving a new generation of urban strategists the opportunity they may have been awaiting for decades.‘

 

free for all, register to join the VITRA summit on october 22 and 23, 2020, here.

 

 

event info:

 

event: VITRA summit

date: october 22nd and 23rd, 2020

location: online

registration: here