Copyright (C) 2008 Vitra
All rights reserved.
Vitra products offer much more than just countless functional features, sound ergonomics and the highest safety standards - they win the hearts of people.
Millions of people spend a large part of their lives in the office. It is not only a place where they work but where they want to be able to live, dream, communicate, argue, collaborate and explore new ideas. Yet they seldom find suitable conditions for such activities in their office environment. Many office spaces are still monotone interiors that reflect established hierarchies. Although such offices may fulfil the collective requirements of a corporation, they neglect the basic human need for privacy, the occasional opportunity to withdraw and the fundamental need for an area that facilitates concentration, communication and contemplation. This has an adverse effect on the entire corporation.
Vitra puts human needs - work-related and personal, individual and team-oriented - at the focus of its efforts. This approach is also in the best interest of companies. Independent research has produced conclusive evidence that the motivation, effectiveness and efficiency of employees are highest in a well-designed open space office.
However, many employees initially resist the change from a private office setting to an open space concept - simply because the latter is unfamiliar to them. Vitra guides its clients through the process of change and helps them to overcome sceptical or suspicious attitudes. Employees are included in the evaluation process in order to dispel their fear of anticipated social control - the expected "look over the shoulder" - and to demonstrate the advantages of communicative working methods.
In addition to seeking the opinions of employees, the early stage of analysis includes an assessment of the status quo and determination of goals. Client workshops are an important and integral part of this phase. In a process of constructive and cooperative teamwork, the key elements of a conceptual plan for the future office structure are developed - these include communication paths, working methods and spatial organisation.
The process of transforming a workplace into a place for living is much more complex than simply furnishing an interior. Vibrant office environments must be planned with exceptional care, then effectively designed and finally, successfully executed.
In addition to the issues of spatial organisation, furnishings and technical equipment, sociological, psychological and philosophical factors play an important role. Only with this kind of thorough approach can the complete office solution be achieved, one which takes all apparent needs, circumstances and desires into account. First and foremost, the results should convince the people who work there.
At different locations and in a variety of spaces serving anywhere from 30 to 180 employees, Vitra uses its own offices as a field for experimentation. Like most companies, the Vitra Corporation encompasses a range of sectors such as management, information technology and communications, production operations, logistics and marketing, all with vastly different requirements. Therefore, it offers an ideal venue for testing, analysing and refining - or in some cases - abandoning new ideas. It is only worthwhile to invest in the office environment if the changes result in more efficient working methods, increased productivity and a higher degree of employee identification with the company - because these factors ultimately enhance its competitiveness.
Convince yourself: We warmly invite you to visit our open space offices and conference rooms in Weil am Rhein, Germany and neighbouring Birsfelden in Basel, Switzerland. Through "Act One", our visitor programme for interested clients, you can gain a personal impression of the myriad of possibilities offered by Vitra. We look forward to welcoming you!
For additional information, please send an e-mail to: act-one@vitra.com. Thank you.
Copyright (C) 2008 Vitra
All rights reserved.