One of the most interesting trends in interior design concerns the evolution of office spaces: innovative models are being experimented with for a substantially changing corporate culture, multifunctional spaces, hybridisations between physical and virtual, and between work and leisure. The world of design does not hesitate to provide answers that go along with this orientation, also becoming a promoter of innovation and new forms of interaction. Domus, too, has activated a space for ad-hoc reflection on the topic, the Modern Work section, which analyses these changes from different points of view, involving designers and professionals, companies and institutions.

Among the design brands most attentive to this epochal change is Pedrali, which offers flexible and versatile, comfortable and efficient solutions, combining ergonomics and aesthetic quality. To represent the complexity and variety of this scenario, Pedrali exhibited at Orgatec – the world's leading trade fair for workplaces and contract – seven scenes for the contemporary workplace, within a stand with an area of around 600 square metres. Each scene of #Pedraliworkspaces is characterised by an external view and a horizon in which the shades of colour recall the different moments of the day.

The first room recreates a multi-station office. The new Polar armchair designed by Jorge Pensi Design Studio takes centre stage, a task chair that ensures maximum customisation in terms of ergonomics with its simple and intuitive built-in mechanisms.

Elinor Low Back by Claudio Bellini incorporates the different attitudes and approaches to working life looking to the future: it is dynamic and designed with people’s wellbeing in mind. Its visual styling is essential yet distinctive, and offers excellent performance thanks to its smart components which make it state-of-the-art yet inconspicuous, as they are integrated into the seat. Elinor Low Back has an elegant height-adjustable base in die-cast aluminium, with aesthetically pleasing sinuous lines. A weight-activated synchro-tilt mechanism integrated in the upholstered seat allows the tilting to be self-regulated according to the user’s body weight, ensuring that the back is kept in the most comfortable position. Other strong points of Elinor low back are its comfort and body-hugging feeling, thanks to the polyurethane injected foam on both seat and back.

Designed as an informal workspace and located in the central lobby stands the Buddyhub Desk, the latest addition to the Buddy family recalling the collection's friendly and welcoming design. This is a functional and efficient workstation where users can concentrate and isolate. Buddyhub Desk features a perimeter sound-absorbing panel that embraces a solid laminate top, creating a sort of enclosed niche that ensures acoustic and visual privacy. A lower sound absorbing panel is proposed for the new version of Buddyhub in order to create dynamic compositions within lounge areas by combining elements of different heights.

Moving to the third setting, we find the Blume System by Sebastian Herkner, a three- or four-level library system that echoes the sophisticated flower-shaped profile in extruded aluminium of the collection of the same name. The structure is painted in various colours for a decorative and playful appeal.

Two other meeting rooms are recreated using the Toa table with the Toa Folding Screen paired with the Babila XL armchairs, and the Ikon table combined with the Héra armchairs. The Toa table designed by Robin Rizzini combines a technical and industrial style with a decorative allure, giving life to a product that is both functional and evocative. Toa's main features are its tapered bridge legs made of die-cast aluminium, which are thinner at the base and widen up towards the “T” element that supports the top. Ikon, designed by Pio and Tito Toso, is a table that speaks the language of architecture as the ultimate expression of simplicity and formal cleanliness. The new version of Ikon features two conical polyethylene bases, paired with a solid laminate top supported by an extruded aluminium frame.

The next setting is a lounge area featuring Jeff, the modular sofa system by Patrick Norguet. Jeff is designed as a set of miniature architectures, skilfully combined to create multiple scenarios. This area is marked by the Hevea Partition by Victoria Azadinho Bocconi, a three-column pot-holder that creates green walls and layouts in work and hospitality spaces.

Pedrali responds to the strong need for external spaces also in the workspaces by creating an outdoor area characterised by a luxuriant green wall. This is because companies are aware of the many advantages that greenery brings to the office: when there are outdoor spaces to relax in or when natural elements are introduced into the workplace, satisfaction and productivity increase, maintaining high levels of concentration. Reva Cocoon by Patrick Jouin is a system of lounge seats for outdoor use: sofas made up of linear and corner elements and chaise longues, with backrests in two different heights. The line stands out for its striking backrests in stainless steel woven with rope in weather-resistant polypropylene, for a truly natural form. With its generous volumes and high backrests, Reva Cocoon creates a space within the space, offering protection and shelter from the outside world for those seeking a moment of relaxation and escape.