Interiors Catalogues

Over the past few years, the concept of “the office” has undergone a dramatic transformation. For many Irish employers and employees alike, the way we work and where we work has shifted beyond recognition. Hybrid schedules, digital collaboration and flexible office designs are no longer trends; they’re foundational to the modern workplace.

The conversation about office-based work usually revolves around weekly schedules: “how many days are you in the office?”, but this often oversimplifies how hybrid workplace environments look and operate in reality.

CBRE’s “Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights 2024” report noted that office space utilisation averaged around 40% in EMEA last year, which should see a jump in occupancy levels this year. We referenced this report in greater detail in a previous article, which can be viewed here.

But where is this all going?

As we look ahead, it’s clear the future of the workplace will be shaped by technology, agile commercial furniture, and sustainable design that fosters collaboration.

In our latest article, we outline the key fundamentals that forward-thinking Irish companies need to know:

1. Hybrid work is here to stay: And It’s reshaping the Irish office landscape.

There is clearly more activity in offices, with Q1 2025 seeing a strong trend toward reduction of remote schedules. However, the hybrid model is proving to have staying power.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), nearly half of Irish professionals now work remotely at least part of the week. This seismic shift is prompting businesses to reconsider how their office space is used, and what purpose it really serves.

Gone are the days of one-desk-per-employee. Instead, we’re seeing a growing emphasis on shared or “hot-desk” workstations, collaboration zones, and dedicated privacy areas for focused work.

Contact us via our online enquiry form for complimentary space planning services to help you visualise how you can reconfigure your existing office. Some previous examples of our space planning service can also be viewed here.

2. The rise of smart workplace technology

Workplace technology it’s now the backbone to productivity in any working environment for a distributed workforce, and imperative for organisations to choose the correct technology to fit their requirements. 

Cloud-based SaaS solutions are becoming increasingly popular for IT teams in workplaces, removing the need for on-prem server infrastructure.

Cloud-based print management software such as Papercut HIVE or Ricoh’s new CloudStream solution removes the need for dedicated print servers, further enabling this cloud-first journey that many companies are undertaking. You can learn more about CloudStream in our recent article, available here.

Tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, & Google Meet enable seamless collaboration between in-office and remote teams. We also covered various meeting room technology solutions relating to this topic in a previous blog, linked here.

Meanwhile, office tech infrastructure is getting smarter to enable the effective management of the workplace. Solutions like desk & room booking systems, occupancy sensor technology and automated visitor management systems ensure workspaces are fully utilised and flow seamlessly.

Partner spotlight: Bizquip works closely with Flowscape as their technology partner in Ireland, providing clients with a powerful and effective hybrid workplace management tool, you can read more about this here.

Framery, the pioneer and world’s leading manufacturer of acoustic pods identified this growing trend in recent years and as a result, they have replaced all their original pods with Smart pods. Integrated technology enhances the functionality across their entire range and offers capabilities such as mmWave radar detection, a sound masking system, automated reservations, adaptive airflow and occupancy analytics for real time usage data.

The same can be said for smart locker solutions, Bisley’s BeSmart collection is designed to offer advanced, secure and data-driven locker solutions to understand user behaviours, track locker usage and optimise locker allocation.

These tools not only support flexibility, they also help optimise office layouts based on real-time usage, streamline workflows and save money whilst improving the employee experience.

3. Agile furniture equals flexible teams

Flexibility doesn’t stop at scheduling, it extends into space planning and office design schemes. This is where agile commercial furniture comes into play.

Think mobile tables, reconfigurable or stackable seating, foldable walls, and collaborative booths that can be moved or adapted as needed. Agile furniture supports fluid collaboration, enabling teams to shift between focused work and teamwork without friction.

Open plan offices are evolving too, instead of the chaotic noise of the 2010s, today’s open spaces are zoned intentionally, creating areas for focused tasks, casual meetings and collaboration. Grid storage, acoustic hanging screens, high back open booths and biophilia enable effective zoning.

You can delve into more detail on this via this recent article where we honed in on privacy screens, modular storage, high back seating and more.

4. Designing for collaboration: Space planning for functionality

Modern collaborative workspaces combine open plan elements with thoughtful zoning, acoustic solutions and biophilic design to create environments where people want to work.

Collaboration thrives in spaces that are:

• Comfortable and visually inspiring
• Equipped with digital tools for brainstorming (interactive screens & whiteboards)
• Easy to rearrange for teams of different sizes
• Flexible and accessible to carry out focused work and avoid distractions

Click here to review Framery’s pod placement guide.

5. Sustainability and wellbeing at the forefront

As ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) objectives take centre stage, future-focused workplaces in Ireland are prioritising sustainability and employee wellbeing.

This includes:

• Energy-efficient building management based on occupancy levels: Flowscape can provide data-based insights to manage HVAC & lighting in a building.
• Energy efficient workplace technology: See our recent article relating to energy efficient IT procurement here.
• Cloud first IT procurement: Reducing on-prem servers to reduce energy output & costs.
• Ergonomic, eco-friendly furniture.
• Green spaces and natural materials to boost mood and productivity.
• BREEAM or LEED-certified buildings.
• The circular economy and a sustainable approach with respect to re-use, re-purposing and extending the life cycle of existing furniture.
• Rigorous focus on sustainable materials with new furniture procurement, demand for sustainable production processes and sustainable materials.

Earlier this year we summarised the balance across cost, quality and environmental impact of sustainable furniture procurement, here is a link to this article for further insights.

In summary: Building tomorrow’s workplace, today

We are certain that the key to effective workplaces in Ireland is ensuring adaptability, purpose and experience. Companies embracing smart technology, people-centric design and sustainable, flexible solutions are better positioned to improve productivity and retain talent within their organisation.

Talk to us about evolving your workplace, complete our online enquiry form and our team will get in touch.

In this article we explore how businesses in Ireland can make sustainable choices when purchasing office furniture.

There are key challenges for companies including cost considerations, ethical supply chains and product longevity.

Here, we share some key pointers we feel are innovative and credible such as including circular economy practices, refurbished options and sustainable material choices as part of a furniture procurement process.

1. Circular economy and extended product life cycle

a. Engage in the idea of modular designs such as modular and reconfigurable bench system workstations that can be expanded as your teams grow. Soft seating such as modular break out sofas and height-adjustable tables that can cater to a multitude of tasks in an office space.

b. Mobile dividers that can be relocated and moved to create different zones in an office and seating that can be easily moved in order to update layouts in the future. This will allow for easier upgrades or repairs rather than full replacements. Mobile dividers also assist in creating visual privacy in open-plan spaces, which we covered in a previous article here.

2. Material sourcing and eco-certifications

a. Seek out products with green certifications such as GREENGUARD, LEED, Ecolabel, BREEAM as some examples of accreditations that sustainable manufacturers achieve when creating their products.

b. Identify and procure products that can attribute to a LEED accreditation for your building. For example, nearly every Humanscale and Actiu product can contribute to the achievement of LEED credentials, which we covered in detail previously here.

c. Select furniture made from sustainably sourced materials such as FSC-certified wood, recycled materials or eco-friendly / recycled plastics. Kvadrat, a global leader in commercial rated fabrics offers a great variety of finishes with sustainability at the forefront and have now taken a decisive step to make all fabrics completely free from PFAS (Per and Polyfluorinated substances).

3. Cost versus Long-term value

a. Weigh up the initial cost versus durability and lower lifetime cost.

b. Investing in quality, adaptable and re-configurable furniture solutions will reduce the need for frequent replacement.

c. Seeking out furniture that has replacement upholstery covers or ability to replace materials on seat covers of task seating, Humanscale and Softline immediately spring to mind for such benefits.

d. Ergonomic task chairs that are intuitive in design and adjust to the sitter, rather than making the sitter adjust to the chair will ensure a reduction in the need to be replacing task chairs for new employees in the workplace. The Humanscale seating collection is designed with such intuitive design. We have the complete Humanscale collection on display in our showroom in Sandyford, Dublin 18.

4. Sourcing locally where possible & assessing supply chains

Supporting Irish and European manufacturers to reduce transport emissions. Assessing an organisation’s processes for supply chain.

As part of our QEHS system, our manufacturer partners undergo rigorous review to determine selection of being a preferred supplier as part of our supply chain.

We complete due diligence on all existing and potential suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure sustainable practices and environmental initiatives are in place across our partners supply chain as well as our own, in line with our ISO 45001 Environmental Management System.

5. Sustainable design

a. Creating flexible workspaces with movable, multipurpose furniture to adapt to changing office needs. For example, incorporate foldable tables, stackable seating and booth seating for flexibility and multiple uses. Additionally, mobile writable boards can be easily relocated and moved throughout the office to transform a break out space into a brainstorming hub instantly.

b. Incorporating biophilic design (natural materials, plants, and sustainable lighting) for a healthier workplace. Natural plants improve indoor air quality and can regulate office temperature.

At Bizquip, we are committed to environmentally friendly and highest quality services throughout our business.

Given that we are certified in ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001: 2015 and ISO 45001:2018, our QEHS (Quality, Environment, Health & Safety) System provides you with comfort and confidence that we have stringent processes and policies in place with respect to environmental initiatives as outlined above.

With a huge focus on sustainable practices, our Interiors team are well placed to assist you navigate the various considerations we have outlined throughout this article.

Please feel free to can get in touch with our team via our contact form here.

Summary of Orgatec: An insight into 2025 and beyond

Last month, our Interiors team travelled to Orgatec, a leading international trade fair for commercial interiors featuring 700+ exhibitors from 40 countries worldwide.

We have been reflecting on the new product launches and trends showcased for 2025 and beyond. Here, we have collated a snapshot of our key takeaways and favourite new product launches.

Please feel free to get in touch with us at Bizquip Interiors to help you navigate any office interior requirements you have.

We specialise in all workplace requirements including and not limited to, executive furniture, meeting room solutions, acoustic & privacy solutions including acoustic pods and phonebooths; canteen furniture and loose furniture for break out and informal spaces.

We continue to work with our existing clients as they expand to new premises and / or upgrade their current premises as part of their evolution.

As workplace specialists we provide knowledge and insights on market trends, common themes in workplaces, always tailoring our furniture and interiors solutions to meet each individual requirement.

Key workplace trends for 2025:

Collaboration-driven design:

Collaboration solutions that incorporate agility and flexibility to repurpose areas for multiple uses for collaboration and informal meeting space remain on trend.

Collaboration areas were on display at every turn, very much coupled with zoning solutions to clearly define spaces, through grid style storage, and the 4T reconfigurable system by Icons of Denmark, now available with curved arches. The Silen Bridges collection offers a clever & innovative solution for defining collaboration space through their modular overhead panels and connecting mobile open booth modules.

Demand for focused workspaces:

Privacy pods, focus pods and meeting room furniture was showcased throughout the fair to offer solutions that enable task-specific work to be completed in a quiet space. Acoustic panels and sound-absorbing materials were common features throughout to create quiet, productive environments.

Sustainable design & circular economy:

In line with our own sustainability focus, there is an ever-growing focus on sustainability across the commercial interiors industry. Sustainable materials and circular design principles were at the forefront underscoring the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility. It continues to be a key focus in terms of manufacturing processes and materials used as part of this. Humanscale shone through in this regard with their Planet Positive approach through the integration of wildlife preservation, social responsibility and the reversal of carbon emissions.

Colour and material trends:

We observed lots of bold accent colours including blue, orange and purple, coupled with earthy and calming colours designed to create inviting work environments. Terracotta and green were seen throughout to give both vibrancy and warmth. Oatmeal and warm neutral greys were also popular, giving a sense of calm and sophistication.

There were a wide variety of material finishes, for example, we noted lots of concrete, terrazzo and lighter wood finishes along with some beautiful darker wood stains and textures as seen at the Bralco executive furniture collection.

As always, our team are here to help you optimise your work space, please get in touch by filling in our contact form here for any furniture requirements you may have.

Our customers are increasingly embracing privacy pods, particularly given the variety of solutions now available in the marketplace. That said, one size does not fit all, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration when reviewing the multitude of solutions available in the market.

Our latest article highlights the key reasons why companies are embracing privacy pods and also the important reason why they need to carry out due diligence prior to purchasing.

Variety of solutions available

There are pods for every type of work. There is a diverse collection of pods available within our Commercial Interiors portfolio of furniture. Two examples are Smart pods by Framery, who offer technology-enabled privacy pods, and Hide pods by Aqustec who make simple pods that provide speech level reduction qualities. There are Single pods or phonebooths as they are commonly referred to, dual / two-person pods, four and six person, and wheelchair accessible meeting pods and more. The list goes on, however we can help you navigate the multitude of options available based on your specific criteria.

Increased productivity

Privacy pods can be used effectively to eliminate distractions and increase productivity in the workplace. Modern offices need spaces that echo the comfort and functionality of home offices and indeed spaces that employees actually want to return to. Privacy pods provide a space to complete focused work. Having a space that employees can concentrate on focused work or a complex task, minimising distractions is key to modern work. Privacy pods combine privacy with acoustics and ventilation.

Privacy

Privacy pods are specifically designed to reduce sound from entering or leaving the pod. They are not “sound-proof” for a reason – fire safety. Pods provide speech reduction qualities and are very effective in providing effective acoustic performance for privacy and focus. Given that so many offices are now open plan, it is essential to have spaces that employees can have confidential conversations. Privacy pods also facilitate meetings where confidential or sensitive information is being discussed, highly relevant to companies that discuss client information, privacy pods facilitate and offer a space that such sensitive data discussions remain private, ensuring compliance with legal standards. They provide spaces for phone calls and virtual meetings without disturbing other colleagues in the area.

Cost-effective solution

Privacy pods are a more cost-effective alternative to dedicated meeting rooms. Given that pods are also a mobile solution, they can be moved to alternative locations in future, if required. Acoustic pods are made within our manufacturers factories; all that is needed when we get to a client’s offices is assemble the units, there is no construction work involved or ongoing maintenance costs for privacy pods. Privacy pods can be moved to suit a company’s changing needs, providing a self-contained solution for creating quiet, private environments in open plan offices. They remove the need to construct new rooms, thus offering a cost-effective and flexible way to control acoustics in the office.

Due diligence – we are here to help

Our team of furniture specialists will carry out all the due diligence required to ensure we propose a solution that will work for your office, taking into account numerous variables such as ceiling height, optimal location within an office, building accessibility for installation, functional requirements within a pod, aesthetic finishes to tie in with branding – the list goes on!

As part of this, we will also ensure we tailor our collection to meet your specific working requirements as the internal features of acoustic pods greatly impact the price. Features such as technology requirements, internal furniture requirements, power charge outlet solutions, mobility (castors) kits, smart functionality such as occupancy analytics and booking systems vary across the variety of solutions available.

We are here to help, get in touch with our team of Interiors specialists to arrange a survey today, our enquiry form is available via our Contact Us page, linked here.

Introduction

Over the last number of years, the traditional workplace has undergone a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements, and changing employee expectations. The emergence of remote work and the rise of hybrid work models have challenged conventional notions of office space utilisation, leading to a growing need for innovative solutions that can adapt to the evolving needs of modern businesses.

The evolution of the workplace

The workplace landscape has evolved significantly over time, from traditional office setups characterised by fixed workstations and rigid schedules to more flexible arrangements that prioritise mobility and collaboration. The advent of remote work has further accelerated this shift, prompting organizations to rethink their approach to office space management. Hybrid work models, which combine remote and in-office work, have become increasingly prevalent, creating new challenges and opportunities for businesses seeking to optimise their office spaces.

Challenges in office space management

Despite the benefits of remote work and flexible arrangements, many organisations struggle to effectively manage their office spaces in the hybrid work era. Traditional methods of office space management, such as manual booking systems and static floor plans, are ill-equipped to handle the dynamic nature of modern workplaces.
As a result, companies often face inefficiencies, underutilised spaces, and wasted resources.
The need for data-driven insights and analytics has never been greater as organisations seek to maximise the value of their office spaces and adapt to changing work patterns.
The problem many organisations face in Ireland, is the need to redesign or resize their workplace to fit their needs, often without knowing what their needs are.

CBRE, the global commercial real estate specialists recently produced their latest “2023-2024 CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights” report based off global workplace averages, with some key points highlighted below:

• Office space utilisation rates remain under 40% occupancy in EMEA.
• 43% of organisations plan to decrease their office space by more than 30%.
• 36% of workstations go unused in a typical workday in a hybrid office environment.
• 29% of workstations are used less than 3hrs per day.

What these three stats indicate is that changes to workplaces are necessary, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution, with some companies requiring more space for collaboration, and some requiring less space entirely.

Introducing FlowSense

FlowSense is our brand new workplace analytics service, in partnership with Flowscape.

FlowSense leverages advanced sensor technology to offer detailed insights into the usage of the workplace. By tracking booked resources, instances of no-shows, the duration of resource utilisation, and the number of people in each space, the service provides unparalleled insight into office space usage.
Its aim is to provide actionable recommendations on how to best optimise workspace configurations to support evolving work patterns, enhance efficiency and reduce costs, unique to a clients specific requirement.

Benefits of FlowSense

The FlowSense service solution delivers fact-based framework for reimagining workplace layouts to meet current and future requirements.
The data enables organisations to optimise resource allocation, improve productivity and employee experience, and reduce costs. By embracing data-driven strategies, organisations can significantly enhance workspace efficiency, cater to the diverse needs of their workforce, and position themselves for future growth.

By understanding how your office is being utilised, you can make smarter investments for your future workplace requirements, reduce costs, energy and your carbon footprint, while vastly improving employee experience.

How it works?

Bizquip install occupancy sensors on all existing resources in the office environment, including workstations, meeting rooms, break out spaces and collaboration areas to monitor real-time occupancy and resource utilisation in the workplace over a fixed timeframe (recommended timeframe of 3 – 6 months).

The sensors collect tangible data of resource utilisation over this period of time, measuring actual occupancy of meeting spaces and desks to determine existing and future workplace requirements.

Multiple types of sensors used to collect data including no. of occupants in meeting rooms, and overall occupancy of a resource.

This analysis specifically focuses on weekdays’ office hours, offering an accurate depiction of space usage during peak operational periods.

The duration of data collection can be tailored to suit individual customer requirements. Typically, a 3-6 measuring period is recommended to yield comprehensive insights into actual office usage.

These insights enable informed decision-making regarding necessary changes and adaptations to company policies.

Workplace utilisation report and recommendations:

Upon conclusion of the occupancy measuring period, Bizquip will provide a report which details our findings based on the data collated.
The report we provide shows the no. of workstations required based on multiple scenarios, including both hot-desking and fixed desking options to ensure both current and future requirements are met.
Meeting room analysis is also shown, highlighting actual usage and occupancy of the existing meeting spaces. The report shows both the level of occupancy and no. of occupants per meeting room over this period.
As part of this report, our team also provide recommendations and solutions for optimum workplace efficiency based on the data shown.

What the workplace utilisation report includes:

• Desk occupancy statistics, showing daily / weekly occupancy, zone, floor, building.
• Meeting occupancy statistics across all meeting spaces.
• No. of users occupying each meeting space at any given time.
• Data analysis of existing resource usage.
• Recommendations for existing and future desking requirements.
• Options based on multiple scenarios e.g. 2hr. “hot-desking”, and fixed desking.
• Meeting room requirements
• Options based on occupancy data & no. of users utilising existing meeting spaces.
• 3D renders & layouts showing proposed options for redesign.
• Furniture & technology options & recommendations (if required).
• Scope of works to complete project.

Whether you are reviewing your existing workplace requirements, or planning an office move, this report will provide you with data-based information and assist with making informed decisions on the future of your workplace.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of using our new workplace analytics service, FlowSense, please reach out to our team using our contact form here.

Privacy continues to be one of the biggest obstacles our clients face in terms of ensuring productivity and comfort for employees when working in the office, particularly given that open plan offices are the norm.

This month we delve into the variety of ways in which you can achieve visual privacy in an office environment.

Privacy doesn’t have to solely result in dedicated meeting rooms and privacy pods. Creating spaces where employees can concentrate and focus on important tasks without interruption is critical to an effective work environment. We discuss such solutions in detail in our recent article that showcases the latest Smart Pods by Framery, linked here. However, there is also a need to go a step further and create visual privacy for wellbeing and productivity.

Visual privacy can give a feeling of comfort and balances open areas and collaborative spaces with the necessary levels of privacy needed to ensure productivity in the office. We outline some practical examples below to assist you in identifying simple ways to overcome this privacy challenge in the workspace.

Privacy screens:

Examples of visual privacy can be as simple as divider screens on workstations. This helps to define a workspace or dedicated desk, gives a pop of colour and also assists in improving the acoustic performance of the office.

Floor standing divider screens can create nooks and focus spaces that give a feeling of privacy and seclusion, important for private calls or a specific space for focussed work.

Ceiling hung sliding screens are a superb product to control visibility. Acoustically rated, they can be mounted to a sliding track to enable users reduce or increase visual privacy, controlling their preferred level of visual privacy as necessary.

Floor standing mobile boards are a practical way of creating privacy within a space, whilst also providing sound absorbent textile to the back and glass board to the front for versatility.

 

Zoning with Grid / Modular Storage:

A number of the commercial furniture manufacturers we represent here in Ireland have a wide variety of solutions to overcome this privacy challenge. We regularly create zones on office layouts and designs to space plan offices with specific tasks in mind, i.e. collaborative spaces, creative spaces, focus / concentration spaces, break out / informal spaces etc. Open storage divider units are hugely popular in creating such zones, they divide areas and block sightlines but also create a welcoming and homely feel. The open shelves enable the display of plants, accessories, books and achievements.

Plants & Greenery:

Biophilia creates a beautiful sense of calm and visual privacy when utilised correctly in office design. Planter units at the end of workstations offer visual privacy for employees focusing on desk-based tasks, giving more comfort to those located along a walkway. Green walls can be used to divide space, again to offer visual privacy and placing plants in the corners of spaces can obscure direct views into specific areas.

High back seating:

Using high-back break out seating in informal spaces can encourage people to use such spaces, as sometimes it is the case that low back sofas are under-utilised. High-back furniture can make people feel more comfortable and facilitate those who may want to sit in peace or have some quiet time. The seating can be tall enough to block the line of sight and often act as a sound absorber if taking a call whilst seated in such high back armchairs / lounge chairs.

Open booths are also a popular furniture solution for creating privacy, a less formal look and feel versus privacy pods. Popular in dining areas and break out spaces, they offer people a privacy nook and quiet space with high back and sides, blocking the visual line of sight. They can also be placed against walls to minimise exposure to people walking by.  Open pods can also provide an agile and adaptable private space that lets you focus on your work.

 

Here at Bizquip Interiors, we can accommodate your evolving requirements to ensure you have a functional workspace that enhances productivity, engages your team and creates a cohesive atmosphere for everyone to thrive in.

Get in touch with our team of workplace specialists to re-evaluate your workspace today, here is a link to our contact form: https://bizquip.ie/contact/ Fill in your details and someone from our team will be in touch.

As commercial interiors experts, we are in a fortunate position of being able to interpret, understand and visualise layouts and space planning solutions for workspaces. This is what we do on an everyday basis and thanks to our intimate knowledge of our vast collection of commercial manufacturers, their commercial furniture solutions, and of course commercial interior trends, ergonomics, best practice, and practical solutions, it is something we sometimes take for granted. That said, it is impossible to expect the same of our clients, each of whom has that same intimate knowledge in their field of expertise.  Asking anyone to visualise what is in the mind of another is always an impossible task. 

Floor plans and layouts are often presented in a 2D format which supplies you with a map showing where the furniture will be set out and how much space it will take up. These are obviously critical elements in the planning of a new or commercial interior, but they do not join the design dots in helping people visualise the end result.  

3D visual renders on the other hand bring immediate life and a clear visual direction to any project.  They showcase our space planning recommendations in a clear and effective format and work as a key tool in showcasing the furniture we are recommending.   

Our in-house CAD specialist Alison works alongside our Interiors Sales team, on a consultative basis and uses her in-depth knowledge, experience, and skills to create such 3D renders for our clients, meaning we can supply a series of renders that are completely lifelike and create a vision of what our team has in store for you. 

A perfect example of this is our recent work with our client MJ Hudson.  In recent times, the Dublin office of MJ Hudson relocated from a historic Georgian building to a new and modern office building in Dublin 2. This gave the team a blank canvas in terms of what they could do from a design and interior perspective. That said, it presented a challenge in that they were moving from a Georgian office where open plan spaces were much smaller and meeting rooms more reserved to their new location which encouraged a much more modern office design that centered around communication, collaboration, shared thinking and more, brought with it a new way of imagining how the space should be used.  

2D floor plans were vital in terms of measuring and planning the space, but this project really came to life with the introduction of the 3D renders which tied our proposed design and colour schemes together completely.  

This project was the epitome of collaboration with the coming together of MJ Hudson, our commercial furniture experts in Bizquip, our Senior Account Manager John Quinn, and our in-house CAD expert Alison, collectively we brought their concept to reality on paper first and then in real life. Our expert team of Fitters also ensured the end result matched the agreed concept at the installation phase of the project, mirroring the 3D visuals in reality.  

To learn more about the MJ Hudson project and the importance of the use of 3D renders, you can read more here.  

The images below are a combination of our 3D renders for this project and actual photographs from the finished project, we feel it is difficult to tell them apart! 

We visited Clerkenwell last month for the UK’s leading design festival, Clerkenwell Design Week in an effort to review the latest trends in office interior design, commercial interiors and new product design. Our team visited a large number of showrooms despite the rain and the most prominent trends we observed are noted here in this article.

• Focus on sustainability
• Products to address privacy and noise in the workplace
• Muted colour schemes with pops of vibrant colours

 

 

Focus on sustainability:

It was clear to see that sustainable practices and environmental commitments are truly embedded within the commercial furniture industry. We highlighted this in our article last month, noting both Humanscale and Actiu as two of our key manufacturer partners who demonstrate long-term commitments toward sustainability and the environment. Our chosen manufacturers who we represent in Ireland as a reseller, are focused on using recycled materials and also ensuring that the furniture they manufacture can be fully recycled, where possible.

We saw a number of products on display in the CDW showrooms that further demonstrate this sustainable commitment. The Path Chair by Humanscale and the collection of acoustic panels and hanging screens from Friends of Wilson are two key examples of products that have sustainability as the core focus for the complete lifecycle of these products.  The sequence hanging screens displayed in the Friends of Wilson showroom are made from 100% wool felt, a completely natural 100% biodegradable fibre, easy to repurpose and recycle. The Path Chair by Humanscale has a mesh-like textile made from upcycled plastic bottles.

 

Products to address privacy and noise in the workplace:

Privacy & Noise continue to be a focal point of obstacles to overcome in the workplace. Privacy pods dominated the vast majority of showrooms along with acoustic solutions as a prominent feature. Again, a large volume of the products and new collections on display have been created with sustainability in mind, with many new collections integrating 100% recycled post-consumer material into their manufacturing process. The new Framery Smart Pod collection that we have on display locally here in Sandyford, Dublin 18 was another key feature and ties in with the focus on sustainability, addressing privacy needs, technology integration and can be recycled at their end of life cycle. They are also GREENGUARD certified. For more information on Framery Smart Pods, please review our article where we highlight the key features and specifications of the Framery Smart Pods. Abstracta showcased their latest sculptural floor screen, Vika, that can double up as a room divider and provide effective sound absorption. It can be made with or without luminaire.

 

Muted colour schemes with pops of vibrant colours:

Muted colours were still dominant in most showrooms, with pops of colour throughout all the showrooms we visited. Bisley showcased a very colourful showroom including their new colours of Berry and Marine Green in their re-designed space in Clerkenwell. Their new Arches collection includes a variety of mobile screens, tables, stools, benches and acoustic canopies. Camira, who celebrated their 50^th anniversary during CDW launched Patternmaker, a digitally printed colour on a carefully curated woven felt, with a composition of 100% virgin wool to pair colour and pattern for commercial and hospitality settings. Patternmaker combines rich warm neutrals with cool slate blues and is suitable for task seating, soft seating and privacy panels / dividers / screens.

It was encouraging to see a good mix of new product launches across privacy pods, acoustic solutions, break out furniture and ergonomic task seating and we look forward to our next trade exhibition when we visit Orgatec in Cologne this October 2024.

2023 was a great milestone for us as a company, in that we achieved 3 ISO certifications. This includes ISO 14001:2015 Environment to demonstrate our long-term commitment towards sustainability and managing the environmental footprint of our business. In addition to this, we seek to assist our clients in achieving similar commitments towards sustainability, partnering with world-class manufacturers who are committed to planet positive manufacturing.

Two key partners of ours who have recently achieved great recognition in this field include Humanscale and Actiu. We represent both Humanscale and Actiu in Ireland and are delighted to highlight the recognition they recently received for their commitments to sustainability and the environment. This recognition is truly deserved.

Humanscale has earned B Corp certification, reinforcing its longstanding leadership in sustainability. Humanscale underwent rigorous assessment from B Lab, who focus on five Impact Area pillars: governance, workers, community, environment and customer impact. B Corp aims to minimise environmental impact and promote sustainability through measures like reducing energy consumption, minimising waste, responsibly sourcing materials and supporting conservation efforts. Humanscale leads the charge as the only major brand in the commercial furniture industry to be B Corp certified and joins the ranks of major brands like Patagonia, Aesop and Allbirds.

Humanscale’s additional notable third-party certifications include the Living Product Challenge (LPC), Declare, Health Product Declarations (HPDs), LEVEL®, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). All Humanscale factories are TRUE® Zero Waste certified and are third-party audited to ensure each one diverts at least 90% of waste away from landfill, the environment, and incineration.

All Humanscale products have Level 3 certification. Developed by BIFMA, Level certification is the sustainability standard for contract furniture. Level 3 certification is the highest standard for sustainability.

Actiu is also leading the path in sustainability with their commitment being endorsed by WELL and LEED certification. Actiu now holds accreditation for both WELL and LEED Platinum, the only industrial site in the world to hold both recertifications. Their WELL platinum certification increased from 82 to 90 points in 2024, a world-class status. The LEED Platinum status demonstrates this unwavering commitment towards preservation of the environment. Actiu’s HQ in Spain is the 5th healthiest building in the World.

Both Humanscale and Actiu further demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through the design and material selection of the products they manufacture. Take the Fluit as an example from Actiu, the 100% sustainable chair, inspired by the sea. An eco-designed chair, the material used comes from local farmers’ plastic waste from crates. All its materials are certified by GreenWorld Compounding and manufactured by gas injection, an innovative industrial process that reinforces resistance and provides a delicate finish so that it is soft to the touch. Actiu offers an online configurator to review the various colour finishes available in the Fluit collection, they can be viewed via their website here.

Humanscale also recently released the World’s most sustainable task chair, the Path Task chair. Designed to adjust to your body as if it were made for you. Its mesh-like textile is made from upcycled plastic bottles. Path is planet positive. Its materials are free from harmful chemicals, made with post-consume recycled content and produced in TRUE Zero Waste facilities. Humanscale provides more data on the specifics on their path task office chair page, which you can view on their website here. We also have the Path task chair on display in our showroom in Sandyford, Dublin 18, if you review our address via our Contact Us page, you are welcome to call in to take a look at it and the variety of Humanscale products we have on display.

Framery, a specialist and world-class manufacturer of acoustic pods, has just launched an exciting new generation of Smart Pods. The industry-leading pod manufacturer’s new soundproof spaces are private, fully connected workstations that make it easier than ever to find and book a space to work, and automatically adjust to the needs of those inside. Say hello to the next era of the workplace, with innovative technology and quality engineering found across the entire family of Framery smart pods.

Framery’s new smart pods are a huge step forward in office design. These soundproof, private workspaces are packed with technology that make it better than ever to work from the office – from effortlessly locating and reserving pods to maximizing productivity throughout your day.

Like the Framery pods before them, they are a blend of style, functionality, and sustainability – all enhanced by new technology.

Framery’s new line of smart pods improve upon the world-class soundproofing, industry-leading ventilation, and captivating design that have established Framery pods the global benchmark in quality and innovation.

Privacy you can trust: The fine-tuned acoustic structure provides A-Class soundproofing that allows the pod to be placed next to workstations without causing noise distractions to the user or to those outside of the pod. And echo-free interior acoustics make the pod a private, comfortable place for work and video calls.

Airflow that keeps you fresh: The pod recognizes when it’s occupied, senses the temperature and humidity of the surroundings, and triggers adjustments to the airflow accordingly. Enhanced ventilation fully refreshes the air every minute, and ventilation can be easily adjusted through the pod’s touchscreen display.
Lighting that makes you feel good: The automated light sources offer preset lighting modes for video calls or focused work, with adjustments easily made through the touchscreen.

The Smart Pod collection includes:

Framery One Compact™
A quiet, connected, one-person phone booth that provides unmatched privacy for phone and video calls from the office.

Framery One™
A smart and spacious one-person office pod optimized for video calls and focus work.

Framery Four™
A meeting pod for up to 4 people that is perfectly engineered for face-to-face meetings and hybrid work from the office.

Framery Six™
A meeting room for up to 6 engineered for collaborative teamwork and optimized for face-to-face and hybrid brainstorming.

Test and review the new Framery pods in our Sandyford showroom, coming soon, to see how this next generation of smart spaces can transform your entire office – and improve the way work gets done. And with minimal lead times and maximum availability, it’s easy to elevate your workplace with these beautiful new smart pods from Framery.

Our expert team of workplace specialists will carry out complimentary space planning services to ensure the favoured smart pod will fit in your office space. We will also carry out an assessment of your building to ensure access is feasible and our team of in-house Fitters at Bizquip Interiors will complete the installation to ensure minimal disruption to you and your office.

Click here for more insights on the benefits of acoustic pods, and why companies continue to invest in this furniture solution.

Get in touch here to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Collaboration in the work place is a really common conversation amongst us here at Bizquip as workplace specialists. However, we are aware that this might be tricky to visualise if you are not immersed in the world of commercial furniture! We regularly advise our clients on a multitude of queries and questions, and we are helping companies introduce collaborative and break out spaces more often than ever before.

The office landscape has truly shifted and the focus is on encouraging people into the office, through the creation of break out / informal / collaborative spaces. Offices are now a social space to interact and catch up with colleagues. In this article, we have collated a range of images that we feel showcase such collaboration – in a more succinct way through images as opposed to words! This article also ties in with our 2024 furniture trends article, published earlier this year.

As the world evolves, so do our workspaces. Traditional office configurations are undergoing a transformation to meet the changing needs of employees and businesses alike. Enter the era of hybrid offices, where the best of both remote work and in-person collaboration merge seamlessly. In this article, we will explore how hybrid offices are empowering employees in Ireland to unlock their full potential and achieve optimal performance.

Embracing Flexibility: One of the key advantages of hybrid offices is the flexibility they offer. Employees are no longer confined to a rigid 9-to-5 schedule within the physical office space. Instead, they have the freedom to choose when and where they work, allowing for a better work-life balance. This newfound flexibility enhances employee well-being, reduces stress levels, and promotes greater job satisfaction. Irish companies are recognizing the importance of work-life balance, and hybrid offices are an essential step towards achieving it. Flexibility of movement through hot desking within the office is also fast becoming the norm. Desk booking systems such as our chosen partner, Flowscape, allow employees to book a desk for the days they plan on being in the office. It gives employees the flexibility to plan their working week and also link in with their team or colleagues to ensure they can co-ordinate their diaries and sit together to complete shared tasks when they are in the office.

Boosting Productivity: Hybrid offices are designed to optimize productivity by leveraging the strengths of remote work and face-to-face interactions. Research has shown that remote work can improve productivity by minimizing distractions and creating a personalized work environment. That said, this is all relative on the assumption that one has a dedicated and quiet workspace at home. This is where the hybrid office comes into play as there is clear evidence that in-person collaboration in the office fosters creativity, innovation, and stronger team dynamics. By combining the benefits of both approaches, hybrid offices create an environment where employees can perform at their best. Key products to encourage such productivity include privacy booths and acoustic pods, agile furniture such as folding tables on castors, mobile poufs and lightweight seating to enable people adapt their settings to their needs. Collaborative and informal furniture such as break-out sofas and armchairs are also key to creating creative and innovative spaces in the workspace.

Enhanced Collaboration: Effective collaboration lies at the heart of any successful business. Hybrid offices encourage collaboration through a variety of means. While remote work allows individuals to focus on their tasks without constant interruptions, it also provides tools for seamless virtual collaboration. Video conferencing solutions and workplace technology is at the heart of this as it is relied upon to unit teams and connect with clients, each of whom may be working from multiple locations. When physical meetings are necessary, hybrid offices offer dedicated spaces designed to facilitate face-to-face collaboration, further strengthening team cohesion. Smaller meeting spaces created with acoustics in mind will ensure collaboration is seamless in the office. Informal coffee / tea areas with tall tables and stools encourage a relaxed and warm environment.

Prioritizing Wellbeing: Creating a supportive and healthy work environment is crucial for employee satisfaction and retention. Hybrid offices prioritize employee well-being by offering a range of work practices. Ergonomics is one key area that a number of organisations have been embracing for many years, focusing on ergonomic task seating, sit-stand desks and encouraging movement throughout the working day. Other practices such as the introduction of biophilia in the workspace is proven to boost morale and wellbeing. Examples of this include green walls and plants, regularly used as part of collaborative spaces and to create privacy zones in an open-plan office. Comfortable breakout areas, and natural lighting are additional elements that contribute to a positive workspace.

 

Hybrid offices represent a paradigm shift in the way we work, and Irish businesses are at the forefront of embracing this new workplace model. By offering flexibility, boosting productivity, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing well-being, hybrid offices empower employees to perform at their best. The combination of remote work and in-person interactions creates an environment that values work-life balance, enhances creativity, and drives innovation. As we move forward, hybrid offices will continue to shape the future of work in Ireland, leading to happier, more engaged, and highly productive employees.