Building Community Through Design: Highlights from Design Days 2025
Written in collaboration with Anne Gowan, Director of Client Engagement, and Leanne Tang, Ancillary Specialist.
Designing for Today’s Realities
As work continues to evolve, so do the needs and expectations of the people who inhabit these spaces every day. Today’s workplaces are being asked to support more than just productivity—they’re being called on to foster connection, promote wellbeing, and adapt to new technologies and hybrid ways of working.
- 56% of meetings now include a remote participant
- 75% of employees are using AI tools
- 66% of workers say they are not thriving at work
These statistics point to a heightened urgency around wellbeing, hybrid support, and the sustainability of both people and space. That’s why the new Steelcase WorkLife Centre (WLC) in Fulton Market—and the product launches at this year’s Design Days—are so timely. They demonstrate how thoughtful design can meet people where they are, offering choice, control, and community through purposeful planning.
Districts within the WLC, such as the City Centre, Urban Parks, Business District, and University District, mirror the structure of a thriving city. Each offers different experiences that contribute to a vibrant, interconnected whole. Just as Fulton Market’s diverse neighbourhood feeds creativity and connection, so too does the WLC. Its layered, multifunctional spaces reinforce the idea that community matters—it’s where we choose to live, work, and grow.
Advancing the Table: The Ocular Coupe Tower
Reflecting the rise of hybrid collaboration, with 56% of meetings now involving remote participants and 75% of employees integrating AI into daily work, Steelcase’s expanded Ocular collection responds directly to how teams interact.
The new Ocular Coupe Tower maintains the beloved pill-shaped form and signature base of the original Ocular table but introduces an updated height and a built-in monitor shroud—making it even more suitable for hybrid meetings and tech-enabled teamwork. An added foot ring provides both style and ergonomic comfort, blending design sensibility with function.
Sculptural Elegance: Jean Nouvel’s Pebble-Inspired Collection
Given that 66% of workers say they are not thriving at work, there’s an increased emphasis on spaces that nurture wellbeing and human connection. Enter the new Coalesse collection by Jean Nouvel. Inspired by the smooth, calming shapes of river pebbles, the collection includes a lounge chair, ottoman, love seat, and a contemporary take on the historic tête-à-tête—a “gossip chair” once popular in 18th-century France that allowed for intimate conversation while preserving personal space.
Nouvel’s reinterpretation uses sculptural curves and masterful upholstery to create inviting silhouettes that offer privacy and a sense of retreat, beautifully supporting today’s need for restorative spaces within the workplace.
Meanwhile at Merchandise Mart…
While the new Steelcase WLC anchored the conversation around workplace community, the Merchandise Mart brought its own noteworthy highlights.
The Beauty of Detail: Viccarbe’s Cubow Collection
The Cubow collection by Viccarbe, designed by Meike Harde, is a masterclass in soft structure. A subtle knot detail creates a gentle wrinkle effect across the upholstery, giving it an organic feel without compromising its upright, functional posture. With a 17-inch seat height and optional hidden castors, Cubow balances plush comfort with practical use—perfect for lounge areas that still need to support working postures.
Award-Winning Craft: Halcon’s Astoria Line
Halcon earned four awards at the MART for their Astoria product line, an extensive collection adaptable to a wide range of applications. A tambour base is a signature element across the series, offering configurations like D-shape, collaborative, and conference styles. Astoria’s collaboration tables stand out with hidden casters that provide effortless mobility—bringing both elegance and flexibility to evolving work environments. Combined with diverse material choices and integrated power options, Astoria is well-positioned to elevate countless projects ahead.
Gathering in Style: Extremis’ Panigiri Table
Named after the Greek festival that celebrates gathering – where “Pan” means all and “giri” signifies coming together – the Panigiri table by Extremis is purpose-built for connection. It’s modular, with a central top, two end tops, and extendable legs that can seat up to 56 people. Clever design details, like cushions that slide securely into place and chairs that easily tuck in for added back support, make Panigiri a standout choice for large, communal settings. It’s a table that truly embodies the spirit of gathering – whether for collaborative work or celebratory moments.