Foster + Partners has launched XYZ, a flexible office system that creates more agile and tailored workspaces.
Designed in collaboration with the Italian office systems manufacturer UniFor, the pared-back, modular system includes a shelving unit (X), lightweight conference table (Y) and an intuitive sit/stand desk (Z), which work individually or as a set. X and Y are currently on display at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan. Z will be launched later this year.
Mike Holland, Senior Partner and Head of Industrial Design, Foster + Partners, said: “Underpinned by a human-centric approach to office design, the XYZ system allows everyone to fine-tune their working environments to meet individual requirements, which can have a profound effect on mood and general wellbeing in the workplace.”
Carlo Molteni, Managing Director, UniFor, said: “The collaboration with Foster + Partners for the XYZ system has been an occasion, once again, to look beyond the usual ways of perceiving offices. Workplaces should be attractive new spaces where people can cooperate, be inspired and feel comfortable.”
Timber Shelving Unit (X)
Named after its distinctive x-shaped timber or aluminium post that forms the primary structure, the X shelving units can be used to reconfigure any workspace, producing open partitions which allow for clear lines of sight through the space. Workplaces have the option to create more defined and private areas, while maintaining a sense of place and community.
Spring loaded ceiling supports and adjustable feet connections keep the frame stable yet demountable. Shelves are clipped on to concealed fixings and can transfer power to the integrated lighting, without the need for cables. Storage units, acoustic panels, pin and magnetic boards can all be installed into and easily removed from the frames, to meet changing requirements over time.
The shelving system offers short- and longer-term place-making solutions. It is also extremely scalable with a minimalist aesthetic that allows it to blend into domestic spaces as well. The timber shelves bring warmth and tactility to any space while the aluminium version has a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
Table (Y)
The Y Table is a lightweight, reconfigurable table system, designed to use minimum material while offering maximum support. Its Y-shaped, steel legs can be easily reconfigured to allow for different seating arrangements and removed completely for transportation or storage. The legs can also be used to link different tabletops together, creating larger and deeper spans with only a few elements. This gives the table an inherent flexibility that makes it suitable for agile workspaces.
A narrow display shelf can be added along the centre of table, which creates a sense of privacy while maintaining a communal feel. Suspended storage for personal objects, a sheet metal cable trough and wiring are discreetly located under the tabletop.
Desk (Z)
The Z Desk – to be launched later this year – is the result of a collaborative aim to create a sit/stand desk without using electronic actuators or crank handles. The desk has a patented mechanism housed within an aluminium frame. The engineering maintains consistent tension to hold the work surface at any height. The desk can be adjusted quickly and intuitively by just pulling the worktop up or pushing it down. The frame also accepts a range of materials, from acoustic fabrics to timber veneer.
As the desk is not tethered by a power cable, it can be stored and moved, allowing workspaces to be reconfigured easily. Desks can be placed alongside each other, to create a longer wall through the office space or stand alone for individual working.
