Hightower is known for versatile products designed to complement today’s spaces, and Natalie Hartkopf, CEO of the furniture company, is always ahead of the curve. She recently shared her thoughts on what’s next for the office and highlighted a few of the products that support our new ways of working.
As workers adjust to hybrid schedules, Hartkopf noted that Hightower’s own evaluation of the modern workplace has shifted. “It is challenging us to come up with new ideas as we think about how to attract people back to the office,” she said, and added that multifunctional areas and pieces are key to maximizing productivity in 2023. “I think we will continue to see a lot of multiuse spaces, with the ability to flex based on the time of day and what we need to do.”
Collaboration is still a major theme as employees come together in smaller, intimate settings, rather than a traditional boardroom around a long conference table, which often has a sterile, impersonal feel. Hightower’s Picnic is a modern take on the classic outdoor furnishing that invites increased engagement. Designed by Stockholm-based studio Form Us With Love, Hartkopf said it centers around the age-old ritual of gathering around a fire. “There was a lot of research and exploration centered around having different heights in the workplace to encourage conversation.”
The round shape of Picnic’s top-and-seating combination accommodates various sitting and standing postures, available in two heights and two sizes. Yet, it was refined further to increase inclusivity. “One of the pieces of feedback that we as a manufacturing partner had was the desire to widen the opening to make it more accessible for wheelchair users,” Hartkopf added.
Socializing is important for employees who only come to the office for a few days a week—with refreshments on offer. Picnic can also be utilized as a compact dining area. “A lot of the companies that we work with are really invested in the food and beverage zones,” Hartkopf said. “And cafés are getting a lot of attention, because when team members come back they’re meeting with colleagues and having a meal or drinks together. There’s a nice mix of hospitality and workplace.”
Resimercial design is here to stay, and creating a more relaxed office environment is key, with users still prioritizing the coziness of home. “Comfort is a really important focal point, which is something that is an outcome of the pandemic. We want people to feel good about returning to the workplace, we want them to feel at ease. And so we are thinking about every detail, the whole story of a product.”
An emphasis on materiality includes added detailing and a range of fabrications to make sitting an optimum experience for each person when they are performing daily tasks. “We are looking at our foam constructions, including different types of down, or adding webbing to increase the comfort,” Hartkopf noted. “More and more designers want these residential-type fabrics on commercial-grade products. We are trying to bring in new elements that give users a multisensory experience.”
Hartkopf explained that taking a fresh look at existing lines is another way to meet the needs of clients and promote sustainability, reducing the amount of products produced each season. “We are re-engineering some of our products to improve their end-of-life. That means having clips that can be put on or taken off of modular units. Or the legs of a chair are now reconfigurable or have casters for mobility. We are constantly striving to make our pieces better.”
Even with the exciting launches planned for this year, Hartkopf noted that Hightower’s greatest strength is compassion. “We are seeing more examples of how leading with empathy is important, especially coming out of the pandemic. We consider everyone on our team’s unique experiences and challenges. And so that’s really incorporated into how we operate the business,” Hartkopf noted.
It’s a thoughtful approach that Hartkopf said has created a better company and the best possible furniture. “There’s this holistic wellness and sustainability that we have championed over the last five years. We have really reconsidered our policies and our governance, which trickles down to what we are looking at, and that includes product design. It is all completely connected.”
