I really enjoyed my day at the Workplace Design Show but ultimately left frustrated. My primary motive was to listen to as many of the talks as possible with the area dedicated to discussions around sustainability being a particular draw. That was a great idea. But why were none of the 120 speakers from furniture manufacturers or pure furniture providers (excluding TFP who ‘Curated’ the discussions)? If we’re serious about making real change then everyone involved needs to be included in the conversation. I’m as interested in the many challenges that manufacturers face as I am about those of the specifiers. It’s a furniture show, let’s hear Pedrali’s head of R&D discuss how to make sustainable office design a tangible achievement with the wonderful Deepak (MCM) and Georgia (Element Four). Sure the manufacturers have their platform in the exhibition but their salespeople are on the stands trying to turn their significant investment into a future return whilst the engineers and designers are back at base trying to deal with scope 3 emissions! Here I go, ranting again. And another thing, do you remember 100% Design on the King’s Road, those were the days….
workspacedesignshow