Vitra’s ‘Anticipating Change’ Talk.

On Thursday the 8th August the Think team visited the Vitra showroom to attend a talk on design for refurbishment. We learnt a lot about refurbishment, and how products can be adapted for different uses and purposes within refurbishment, and how we can anticipate change. Vitra explained that they started this journey back in 2018, when they started to design for flexibility, which is the concept of products being able to fulfil different functions. The implications of this concept is that you can use tools to adapt and to these different functions without having to buy new products during refurbishment. This is a useful tool for workplaces due to the ever-changing nature of offices, which Vitra's products are equipped to adapt to.

This does not only make refurbishment easier, but it also makes refurbishment more sustaiinable, which is valued here at Think Furniture. Vitra is not only a sustainable option due to their adaptability, but also due to the materials they use to make their products. This sustanability value is echoed through their recent shift to using recycled materials to make their classic Eames Plastic Chairs, in every variety. 

After Vitra's talk on anticipating change within refurbishment, we got shown some of their products which have these adaptable qualities. We saw their new sofa called 'Anagram', which embodies everday lifestyle changes, whether thats at home or in the office, it can be adapted effortlessly. Vitra explains, 'the platform modules are designed as islands that can be combined with other modules on all four sides and fitted with elements such as backrests, side panels and attachable tables. This enables countless configurations, which can be easily modified time and again to suit new needs'.Which truly shows the dedication Vitra has to adaptability. We were also shown Vitra's office desks and chair's which can be effortlessly changed for different office needs. 

We thouroughly enjoyed our trip to Vitra and learnt so much about the importance of anticipating change and using adaptable options which are built to last.