SENSE + SENSIBILITY

Embracing the senses means focusing on often-overlooked details, such as acoustics and textiles. “It is important that spaces engage the senses and intellect,” says Morley. From what’s overhead to what’s surrounding us, texture and colour make these innovations inviting.

Open-plan spaces are increasingly in need of small meeting areas or enclosed spaces that guarantee privacy. Acoustic Room, designed by the Fantoni Research Centre, features a box composed of two different-sized modules with soundproof 4akustik panels. It creates an acoustically protected oasis inside open-space offices, collective meeting spaces and anywhere privacy and concentration are required.

Offecct offers an array of acoustic panels that blend style and substance, including the Wind room divider, designed by Jin Kuramoto. The dividers improve the acoustic qualities of an environment, while at the same time adding interesting dimensions to the room.

Lighting is also marked by high performance and high style. Designed by Joel Larsson and Krook & Tjäder Design for Karl Andersson & Söner, Reverb is a visually appealing and practical ceiling-mounted sound absorber. The hole in the sound absorber lets light through from existing light fittings, or gives you the opportunity to suspend light fittings through it. This means that Reverb is ideal for hanging over meeting places, workspaces or along a corridor.

Humanscale’s new Vessel, designed by Todd Bracher, represents the brand’s first foray into architectural lighting. “We highly encourage the implementation of task lighting at workstations alongside the reduction of overhead lighting in order to reduce the amount of energy that goes into lighting a space,” says Shane Cohen, the brand’s Global Director of Lighting.

Made from the highest quality quartz crystal, Vessel provides beautiful, glare-free light in a simple, refined form. Rather than taking a stylistic approach to lighting, it was designed with a focus on physics and optical engineering, and