New generation B Free Lounge

London 19th February 2014. NEW GENERATION B FREE LOUNGE: TRANSFORMING INFORMAL SPACE TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF WORKERS

Steelcase today introduces the new generation B-Free Lounge, an innovative range of furniture that transforms ‘in between’ spaces in offices.

B-Free is designed to be casual yet creative – reflecting the many informal ways of working adopted by 21st Century office workers.

The dynamic new B-Free range of products meets a host of needs within the modern office space.

Its flexibility seamlessly turns an informal or unused space into an effective workspace that encourages collaborative working between colleagues and a stimulating exchange of ideas. B-Free’s unique elements can also provide a productive and comfortable platform for individual working.

John Small, Director of Industrial Design at Steelcase, said: “Whether working alone or with others, the new generation B-Free enables employees to connect, concentrate and collaborate.

“Our research worldwide has revealed that employees want to decide where, when and how to work. These are decisive factors when it comes to creativity, motivation and performance. Informal workspaces that encourage creative thinking and productive collaboration between colleagues are delivering tangible benefits to companies in terms of productivity.”

The range offers ergonomic comfort by supporting various positions and has a greater range of options with more work surfaces, screens and support for personal belongings. Power connections, shelves for keeping personal items and screens increase working comfort still further.

“Our customers tell us that the best ideas often come from spontaneous exchange or during a cup of coffee – outside of the conference room”, says John Small. “The focal points of innovation in most organisations are the places where people choose to gather informally. B-Free creates spaces that bring people together and put them at ease working in different postures. It’s hard to be creative in stiff, cold spaces. You want to break the routine, feel a change in your environment and your posture, and that often means a more casual work style. It is this kind of collaboration, where ideas bounce off other ideas and eventually come together to make a great new idea”.

This interactive working and social exchange is at the heart of the new generation of B-Free. To support more casual postures during collaboration, B-Free has enhanced back support that provides greater support during conversations, taking notes and building on a colleague’s information and ideas. B-Free coffee tables hold tablets, work materials and, of course, a cup of tea or coffee.

In addition to reclining postures, B-Free supports working while seated and standing, offering work surfaces at different heights. It also supports the personal belongings we carry throughout our day: tablets, laptops and smart phones, plus all those chargers. B-Free visual privacy screens provide a subtle barrier to distractions, while soft fabrics, warm colours and wooden options create a comfortable, residential feel.