In follow up to the Vitra Summit, our two-day virtual event of October 2020, this year we’re organising a series of shorter, 90-minute digital sprints for you: the Vitra Sessions. Each sessions will delve into one or more of the pressing questions that have emerged since the pandemic hit the world in the spring of last year, and offer a highly diverse and inspiring mix of design stories, expert keynotes, product news and handy tips for individuals and companies alike.

The first Vitra Session took place on 11 March. During this session, we successfully examined the world of ‘Distributed Work’ and its many implications for businesses and organisations. The session proved to be an inspiring conversation starter for what we intend to become a series of thought-provoking virtual exchanges throughout this year – so stay tuned for more news on upcoming sessions. The second session will be held on 22 April 2021, and will focus on the topic of ‘Home Dynamics’.

Our homes have undergone a radical transformation in the past year. As we were forced into lockdowns, they became our safe havens, and had to function as our offices and schools, playgrounds and gyms, our restaurants and cinemas. With more and more companies opting for a distributed operating model (with a mix of remote and co-located employees), we can expect that working from home – whether full time or just for part of the week – will remain a reality for many of us. The domestic space needs to respond to these new dynamics by accommodating additional aspects of people’s lives.

Any societal shift requires a design response. What can we learn from past crises and what are we learning from this one? When conceiving the dynamic home of tomorrow, designers and architects are asked to create highly functional environments in limited spaces, which convey a sense of well-being and allow for individual preferences.

The Vitra Sessions are a series of short digital events to explore how offices, homes and public spaces are evolving. The format will bring together expert keynotes and conversations on design, and feature product news with practical tips for individuals and companies. Short sequences presenting creative insights from within and far beyond the realm of furniture will bring another dimension. During the digital sessions, we will dive into the experiences of the past year and question the nature of our shared spatial environments, which have been put to the test.

The many advantages and disadvantages of remote work have been studied and written about extensively over the past twelve months. The physical act of going to the workplace will become a conscious choice for many. One that is guided by the tasks that lie ahead. The physical workspaces that we now build should complement the home office rather than just being seen as an alternative to remote working. In this session, we will open the doors of the new Club Office. Built over the last six months at our headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, it was created by Vitra as a response to the need for post-pandemic workspaces.

How does the shift towards a distributed working model set in motion by the outbreak of the pandemic impact businesses and organisations in the mid to long term? This was the central question we explored during the Vitra Session on ‘Distributed Work’ that took place on 11 March. With contributions by designers, thought-leaders and industry experts, the event proved to be highly successful and managed to set a lively tone for the sessions to follow.

For more in-depth analyses and insights on the theme of ‘Distributed Work’, be sure to download the latest issue of our e-paper, which includes in-depth essays, inspiring interviews with thought and business leaders, scientific findings, helpful spatial solutions and much more inspiring content.

Which topics impact office environments, communal spaces or the home, and which processes will influence the future of work? In a series of newspapers dedicated to the world of work and current global topics, we invite designers, architects and industry experts to address these themes.