Beyond Furniture: Designing Spaces for Connection at ORGATEC 2026

Exploring new perspectives on furniture, flexibility and the future of shared spaces.

A New Perspective on Shared Spaces

Great design does more than define a space. It influences how people interact, collaborate and experience their surroundings.

Held in Cologne from 27–30 October 2026, ORGATEC brought together international furniture brands, designers and industry professionals to explore the future of workplace and commercial environments.

Under the central theme “From Rooms to Relationships: Designing Spaces in an Ever-Changing World,” the exhibition highlighted a growing shift towards environments that support human connection while responding to changing needs.

For architects, interior designers and project teams, this presents an opportunity to rethink the role of furniture, not simply as a functional element, but as an important part of creating engaging, adaptable spaces.

Designed for Connection: Furniture Highlights

Urbantime | Liberty.080

Shared spaces benefit from furniture that encourages interaction while accommodating different layouts and activities.

Urbantime’s Liberty.080 collection explores this through a modular approach to seating, creating opportunities for varied configurations within public and communal environments.

Its distinctive forms demonstrate how furniture can contribute to the character of a space while supporting the way people gather and connect.

For designers, modular solutions offer greater flexibility when planning environments intended for multiple users and evolving requirements.

 

Systemtronic | Sail

As workplaces become more adaptable, the need to balance openness with privacy continues to influence interior design.

Systemtronic’s Sail acoustic dividers offer an approach to defining spaces without relying entirely on permanent architectural partitions.

Their sculptural forms introduce visual interest while providing opportunities to establish more considered zones within shared environments.

For workplace and commercial interiors, solutions like Sail demonstrate how spatial separation can become an intentional design feature.

Systemtronic | Verissimo Pouf

Not every furniture element needs to dominate a room to make an impact.

Systemtronic’s Verissimo Pouf explores the relationship between geometry, material and proportion through a distinctive contemporary form.

Its considered aesthetic makes it a useful reference for designers looking to introduce personality and visual interest into modern interiors.

The collection reflects a broader interest in furniture that contributes to the overall architectural language of a space.

Gaber | Majorette

Contemporary seating continues to evolve beyond purely functional considerations, with sculptural forms and material expression playing an increasingly important role.

Gaber’s Majorette collection brings together inviting upholstery, distinctive curves and a confident visual identity.

Its expressive design offers a way to introduce warmth and character into hospitality, lounge and other shared interiors.

For designers, pieces such as Majorette highlight how seating can contribute to the atmosphere of a space as much as its practical function.

Beyond Function: Designing for People

One of the key ideas emerging from ORGATEC 2026 is that the success of a space is increasingly measured by how well it supports the people using it.

Workplaces need to accommodate both collaboration and individual focus. Hospitality environments must balance comfort with atmosphere. Public spaces benefit from layouts that encourage interaction while remaining accessible and adaptable.

Across these settings, furniture plays an important role in shaping the experience.

Modular seating, acoustic elements and expressive furniture collections offer different approaches to creating spaces that feel purposeful, flexible and welcoming.

 

Great Spaces Begin with Great Ideas

ORGATEC 2026 reinforced an important principle: thoughtful design extends beyond individual products.

It considers how furniture, architecture and human experience work together to create environments that respond to the needs of today while remaining adaptable for tomorrow.

At FORMLINE, we connect architects, designers and project teams with contemporary furniture solutions from our international brand partners.