This report describes the development of an office workplace for the future. The project was performed as a Bachelor Degree Project at the University of Skövde in the spring term of 2011 in cooperation with the company Götene Specialinredningar.

Götene Specialinredningar adjusts furniture to production and manufactures furniture that are special designed by an architect at the request of a customer. The industry of office furniture have got stuck in one mindset and most of the furniture today looks the same, has the same functions and the same materials. The company therefore wants to get a new perspective on how an office can be in the future.

The work started with an exploration study to get information about use, ergonomics and materials. From this study requirements that the final concept should meet was set. It was decided that the projects target was open office landscapes because that is the common use by the company’s customers. Creativity methods were used to create concepts which then were evaluated, combined and developed in cooperation with the company.  The company’s product development process was studied and suggestions of improvements were developed.

The result is a storage, a desktop and a foreclosure with new functions, new materials and a new appearance. The appearance is neutral but materials and colors can be combined. The storage uses the whole volume and is raised from the floor for better ergonomics. It has clever functions like a sound absorber on the backside, hidden storage for a jacket and extractable discs for binders. The desktop has an angle on one side and components that easily can change place for full flexibility. New and environmental friendly materials with good properties for the different functions in the furniture are used.

The final concept meets all requirements and is adjusted for easy manufacturing and low cost. Design and function comes hand in hand and the design on the different furniture matches to create a good looking entirety.