Office Rendezvous – Relaxed Design for Spontaneous Meetings and Pleasant Tasks

The word rendezvous is rarely heard or read today. Still, the word itself surfaces in a magazine, a book, or slips from the lips of a couple in love. Although it is often associated with romantic relationships, rendezvous simply means meeting.

Meeting does not sound as romantic as rendezvous. Maybe because it isn’t French, or because it refers to an everyday occurrence. We often meet friends and relatives in a café or restaurant. With colleagues, we sit down for lunch, but also for work meetings. In short, a meeting can be formal, but also not so formal.

The ability of the word meeting to blend different things is similar to the ability of the workplace to be, and not to be, so “work-like.” Older ideas about work implied tough conditions in the office and in the field. Old-style offices bring an unpleasant feeling among employees who can’t wait for work hours to end. Productivity is low because people cannot relax at work. The job gets done with effort or by force, but is it done effectively?

Fortunately, the old perceptions of working are slowly disappearing. The new offices have a new face—one that resembles a pleasant and relaxed place. Such a space captivates employees with its design and the freedom to complete their work tasks in their own time, in their own way, and at their own pace. When employees don’t come to work tense, they can think freely and turn thoughts into effective and creative solutions. When everyone is united in a space where various ideas can flow, tasks become enjoyable obligations.

The idea of a more relaxed office was conceived in the minds of the creatives at Sedus and grew into a new phenomenon called the Rendezvous Office. This kind of workspace design became a reality—a reality the company presented at ORGATEC 2024, the most renowned international fair for office furniture. As participants at the fair, we had the opportunity to explore this concept, which can also be experienced through a virtual tour.

With the Rendezvous Office, employees get space for work, a place for spontaneous meetings, and an environment for professional collaboration, productivity, and innovation. The Sedus Smart Café concept is the foundation of the idea of a work rendezvous. Sedus Smart Café is based on biophilic design that integrates elements of nature into the workplace. In other words, when you’re in the Rendezvous Office, you feel as if you’re having coffee in a park or café.

The relaxed work environment makes interactions between colleagues easier and creates a work-social community. The hybrid office becomes a hybrid everyday space that adapts to people’s ways of working. They can work alone in a quiet corner, gather for a meeting or brainstorming session, be part of a team effort to find solutions, or even take a break with a coffee or fresh juice.

Such a setup requires a range of products that Sedus showcased at the fair and which will be available in our assortment from January 2025. Below you can see them and read how they can transform your workspace.