Open-concept workspaces are becoming more and more common, and Berlin-based designer Yasmine Benhadj-Dilali's 'Soft Targets' are a response to the subsequent desire for privacy. The wall-mounted pods look like sculptural installations from the outside, but they offer a hollow interior that people can climb into when they need some emergency alone time.
As Benhadj-Dilali admits, the niches are "more sculptures than furniture," meaning that they have far more of an artistic vision than a practical use. Nonetheless, their design features are effective for engendering a private moment during which occupants feel secure and anxiety-free.
Though the Soft Targets may look conspicuous, their angled, mirrored facets actually direct attention away from the person inside by reflecting other areas of the room.
Private Wall-Mounted Niches
Yasmine Benhadj-Djilali's 'Soft Targets' Provide Office Privacy
Trend Themes
1. Private Workspaces - Remote work accelerated the need for private workspaces, leading to the demand for innovative privacy designs in a hybrid work model.
2. Sculptural Office Furniture - The growing importance of aesthetics has led to the demand for sculptural office furniture with a dual purpose of art and function.
3. Ergonomic Design - With the shift towards remote work, there is a growing demand for ergonomic design that promotes wellness and comfort.
Industry Implications
1. Interior Design - Interior designers can create customizable private workspaces that offer privacy and comfort while complementing the overall aesthetics of an open-concept office.
2. Furniture Manufacturing - Furniture manufacturers can capitalize on the growing trend towards sculptural office furniture by creating unique, ergonomic pieces that offer a dual purpose of art and functionality.
3. Architecture - Architects can design private, ergonomic workspaces that offer a sense of security and well-being, promoting better mental health among workers in open-concept offices.