A Fresh Perspective: My visit to the Orangebox showroom

Learning to see design differently:

After reading Aeryn’s recent blog about her visit to the Narbutas showroom, I found myself completely relating to her experience. As she put it “actually experiencing it in real life helped me understand it so much better” and I could not agree more.

During my internship last year, I had the opportunity to visit a few showrooms, such as Vitra, Andreu World and Icons of Denmark, which really sparked my interest in how design impacts the way people work. I did not get to visit Orangebox last year, so getting the chance to explore their brand-new showroom  really felt like an exciting opportunity to deepen my understanding of the industry.

Now, while still early in my career and eager to learn as much as I can, I found the visit to be eye-opening. Seeing, touching and interacting with the furniture brought all the things I have read and written about – ergonomics, flexibility, collaboration – into focus in a completely new way.

Having recently moved from their old space, Orangebox’s new showroom felt fresh, modern and thoughtfully laid out. Jessica kindly gave us an in-depth tour, sharing her knowledge and insights every step of the way. Her expertise made the experience even richer and helped me aprecicate the intention behind each design – and she even pointed out her personal favourites!

Starting Beyond the Desk

One of the first things that stood out was the ‘beyond the desk’ modular seating. It broke away from the typical office setup — it was open, relaxed, and clearly designed for flexibility. Jessica explained how these pieces adapt to different team needs and encourage more organic collaboration. It made me think differently about how furniture can actively shape workplace culture.

Recur Chair

We got to try out the Recur chair at the Orangebox showroom - and honestly, it's one of those chairs you sit in and instantly get it. Super sleek, but not in a flashy way - more like quietly confident. The design feels clean and modern, and you can tell a lot of thought went into how it supports your posture without making a big deal about it. It’s comfy, but still keeps you feeling focused and upright - no slouching into nap mode here! Definitely the kind of chair you’d want in a workspace where design and comfort actually go hand in hand.

Step Inside: ‘Be My Guest’ Phone Booth

The ‘Be My Guest’ phone booth was another highlight. I stepped inside and instantly appreciated the calm and privacy it offered. It felt like a mini escape from the energy of an open office - perfect for moments of focus or a quick call. Experiencing it firsthand made it easy to understand why these booths are becoming such a popular solution.

We also explored pod systems ; semi-enclosed spaces designed for quiet work, small meetings, or informal brainstorming. What impressed me most was how they offered a sense of privacy without feeling closed off. They seem like a great solution for creating functional zones within open-plan offices.

The Spec Area: Hands-On Design

We ended our visit in the specification area, where clients can explore fabrics, finishes, and configurations. It felt like a creative lab; a hands-on, inspiring space designed to spark ideas and experimentation. Along one wall, there was an impressive display of fabric swatches in every texture, tone, and pattern you could think of, offering a tactile way to visualise the end result. Nearby, a collection of small-scale models showcased different pod layouts and furniture configurations, making it easy to play with spatial planning in a very visual, intuitive way. It was clear this space wasn’t just about choosing materials - it was about empowering clients to co-create their environment with confidence and imagination. and even though I’m still learning, it was exciting to see how design choices come together to create unique, functional spaces.

Visiting the Orangebox showroom helped me see workplace design with fresh eyes. Like Aeryn said in her blog, being there in person added so much depth to everything I’ve been learning — and reminded me why I was drawn to this industry in the first place.

Every product I saw felt purposeful - designed not just to look good, but to support how people work, think, and connect. The new showroom itself felt like a testament to Orangebox’s forward-thinking approach, making it a truly inspiring place to visit.

Jessica’s in-depth tour made the whole experience richer and helped me appreciate how much thought and care goes into every design decision.  So a huge thank you to Jessica for all of her insights and help. As I continue to grow in this field, experiences like this keep me curious and inspired to learn more.