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april 23, 2021 - Vitra

Home Dynamics - E-paper n.° 6

The previous year has not only had an unforeseen impact on the way we work, it has also changed how we view our homes. Being mostly confined to our own four walls, we have had ample time to reevaluate the way we live. Many of us have made changes big or small, and this will probably have a continuing effect on #interiordesign and architecture. The #vitra Session ‘Home Dynamics’ and its accompanying e-paper explores these changes, and takes a closer look at how we can improve the way we relate to ourselves, our work and our environment through our homes.

‘Home Dynamics’, hosted by #vitra and featuring a variety of international experts, offers both a theoretical view on the changing conditions in our homes, as well as practical guidelines for making our homes better suited to our needs and desires. With insights from Vitra’s own experts such as Till Weber and Christian Grosen, and contributions by psychotherapist Esther Perel, editor Monica Khemsurov, happiness consultant Samantha Clarke and trend researcher Oona Horx-Strathern, the second #vitra Session and its accompanying e-paper will help us make the most out of the environment where we now spend so much time. 

‘A crisis as severe as the one we’re currently experiencing, has an impact on people and on the environments that surround us,’ says Nora Fehlbaum, Vitra’s CEO. Those changes can be positive: Monica Khemsurov noticed that many of her readers have put more effort into making their homes efficient and comfortable. Trend expert Oona Horx-Strathern also mentions that this has been an opportunity to redefine our homes, giving us time to consider the #design and layout and implement changes that enable our homes to work better on different levels. 

The #vitra Session also explores the impact of these changes on our mental health and well-being. As psychotherapist Esther Perel explains, our perspective of the domestic space has been fundamentally altered: ‘We have seen a collapse of boundaries, and had to adapt to an entirely new world view,’ she states, adding that this has taken an immense toll on our mental health. As she phrases it, not only do we work from home, but we also have to work with the home now. To help with this new situation, happiness consultant Samantha Clarke chips in with a few tips on how to use routines and rituals to stimulate mental well-being. 

The most obvious changes in our interiors are happening in the home #office. Whether you already had a designated place for work at home or not, we have all made some small or larger changes to adapt to remote working. While we previously mainly saw #office environments becoming more home-like – with cosy sofas, mood lighting and warm textiles finding their way to the work floor – we now see signs of work entering the home realm. This transversality of our interiors, in which one item can serve multiple purposes, now flows in two directions. Vitra’s Chief #design Officer Christian Grosen explains how multi-functionality within our home will become apparent through our choice of furniture, with a focus on comfort and flexibility. 

Vitra’s Creative Director of Scenography Till Weber also shares some advice on how to make the most of a day working from home, based on his own experiences over the previous year. From picking an ergonomic-yet-stylish task chair to adding a daily walk to your schedule: a small change can elevate your remote routine. 

‘Homes small and large must and will adjust’, elaborates Nora Fehlbaum, ‘with two solutions for the space-pressed home: to divide or to expand.’  This is visible already, as terms such as ‘home extensions’ and ‘room dividers’ have risen significantly in search engine results. Oona Horx-Strathern mentions this as well in her conversation with Mateo Kries, Director of the #vitra #design Museum. Blending research and personal experience, she notices the need for differentiation, with a return to separate areas: ‘The more time we spend at home, the more we need distinct functions for our rooms again. This makes it easier to find balance between work and home, and between our relationship with ourselves and others.’ 

Even though we do not know what the future holds, the ‘Home Dynamics’ session wants to offer support as we go through these profound changes. If you’d like to learn how experts see our homes in the near future, and discover their guidelines on how to make the most of our domestic space, you can download the new ‘Home Dynamics’ e-paper at #vitra.com/sessions.

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