Shaping the Modern Office – Recess
It is no understatement to say that our working lives have completely changed in the last two years. Not only is the typical work structure increasingly being replaced by the hybrid model, the idea of what a good working environment looks like is being challenged. Recess, a sustainable office furniture start-up in Sydney, is part of the wave of businesses engaging with this challenge.
Fundamentally, asking ‘what does good work look like?’ is a design question, as finding an answer involves an exploration of how we engage with furniture, functional objects and the spaces themselves – key principles of user-centred design. Already demonstrating a design-led approach to this problem, after winning a Good Design Award in 2020 for fully ventilated soundproof booth, The Nook, Recess has expanded its scope to rethink the entire workspace with a complete range of upcycled furniture for the office or home.
Combining an uncomplicated, relaxed design language with durability and sustainability, the Recess range of office furniture has tapped into the current rethinking of work practices, both in the home and the office.
The term furniture does not quite do justice to the level of consideration imbued in each Recess piece. As well as having a quiet appearance, the pieces in the Recess range are durable and ergonomic, with a focus on the comfort and health of the person sitting (or standing) at a desk. Most importantly, the furniture range is designed around sustainability, utilising recycled materials where possible or responsibly sourced materials where not, such as from FSC-certified suppliers.
At the heart of Recess’s commitment to assisting organisations to improve their sustainability while supporting the wellbeing of their staff is a new subscription service to rent Recess furniture. Even this is a fundamental change to work practices, meaning organisations can immediately upgrade their entire workspace to ergonomic and high-functioning furniture without significant cost. Recess is also offering a discount to organisations who donate their existing equipment to be recycled.
Combining an uncomplicated, relaxed design language with durability and sustainability, the Recess range of office furniture has tapped into the current rethinking of work practices, both in the home and the office. Ultimately, Recess furniture is designed with the user in mind, understanding that comfort and wellbeing are the pillars of how we work.