Slowly but surely, a new way of working is creeping up on the UK’s offices and events. Contained in a cosy and soundproof portable workspace, these high-tech yet practical design spectacles – ‘Nook Pods‘, have been popping up across the UK and Europe. From Bristol’s tech hub Engine Shed, to Web Summit in Lisbon and now at 100% Design – the UK’s largest trade show for architects and designers.
“It was amazing to get Nook in front of thousands of architects and designers who generally got it immediately”
Debuting its brand new pop-up meeting zone the ‘Nookery’, the Bristol-based design startup Do Company set up a cluster of 7 Nooks at the design festival last month (pictured left), allowing its visitors to experience the peace and productivity of quiet spaces in which to talk, connect, recharge and reflect.
David O’Coimin, founder of Do Company and creator of Nook, tells us: “It was amazing to get Nook in front of thousands of architects and designers who generally got it immediately, remarked on the ‘oasis of calm’ effect and loved the product generally, with many requesting 3D models and more information to include Nook in their plans.
“Other highlights of the debut included winning new customers and trials for Nook on the spot. And proving beyond a doubt that there is a tremendous appetite in the busy noisy event world for intimate little meeting spaces with work benches. While many laboured for up to 3 days to build their stands, we were set up in 3 hours on the evening before the event. That efficiency saves time and big costs.”
Crossing the tech:design divide
The festival also offered Do Company the chance to see some of the ways in which tech is crossing the divide into the world of design and how this has influenced new products (including the Nook itself). As David explains: “We have seen a huge and fast evolution of wireless charging occurring in furniture now that Apple has joined the wireless charging revolution.
“We met so many architects and designers from the South West”
“That signals an eventual shift from letting your phone drain to low battery percentage and then tethering it to a socket until its full again – toward a more constant drip charge every time you put your phone down on a surface with wireless power built in – which the Nook now has too.
“We also saw a jump in the integration of user interface and services into the interior design landscape with examples such as living walls which alert you when they need watering, lighting which responds to environmental factors and sensors on the body and an interactive rotating meeting table for sharing and manipulating media during a group meeting.”
The Nookery wasn’t the only bit of innovative design representing talent from the South West however. David tells us: “We met so many architects and designers and a few exhibitors from the South West including Amarelle, Artworks, Addicted to Patterns, Wylde Interior Architects and Westcountry Group.
“It was in fact remarked upon what a strong presence there was from the creative sector in the region.”
You can find out more about the festival on the 100% Design website. You can also check out Nook specs and information on the Nook website or by following them on Twitter here: @nook_pod.
