design
UPWARD TREND By Trisha Doucette | Photography courtesy of Herman Miller
THE DEMAND FOR HOME OFFICES IS INCREASING AS REMOTE WORK IS HERE TO STAY, AND DESIGNERS ARE ACCOMMODATING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF STYLES.
Left: Executive Office Group, 1942 Top: Action Office Group, 1972 Middle: Ergon Chair, 1976 Bottom: Aeron Chair, 1994
2020 might easily be called the year of working from home, with 2021 following closely behind. Actually, remote work is a trend that has been growing steadily over the past several years, especially in small companies and startups. And while there are companies that are not embracing this work mode simply because the nature of the work doesn’t make it possible, working remotely has become a seamless transition for many others, and implementing a hybrid workplace model is a sought-after benefit that employers can offer. There are many benefits to working remotely, such as saving commute time, which can be a big stress reliever, and having a flexible schedule that can provide a more optimal balance of work and home. But it also allows employees to create their own personal work environment. Allocating a designated work space in your home can generate an atmosphere with fewer distractions and promote productivity, and there’s a long history surrounding the concept of creating the perfect office. 24 HOME DESIGN & DECOR AUSTIN-SAN ANTONIO |
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021
Herman Miller, the leader in office space and furniture design, may be known for developing the world’s first ergonomic chair in 1976, but its research in the relationship between workplace and people has been ongoing since the launch of its first line in 1942. Joseph White, Herman Miller’s Director of Workplace Futures & Insight, explains that while the 1930s were defined by singular, ornate furnishings, the Executive Office Group changed the course in 1942 by introducing a modular system emphasizing variety and utility. Each product in the group, including the desks, storage areas, dividers and add-ons, served a purpose and represented the shift to a free and modern atmosphere in the office.
