Open Desk concept in USA

On site in Napa Valley

Lensvelt provided project furnishing, development and a quick realization

Commissioned by world's largest provider of flexible office spaces IWG, Open Desk was designed and developed by design collective bs;bp and Lensvelt, an innovative workstation created to meet the growing demand for new and flexible workplaces.

The Concept

The Open Desk looks like a modern version of the office cubicle and was designed by bs;bp's Maarten Jamin, who is also Chief Design Officer of IWG. Open Desk offers maximum privacy but has an open and light feel due to the open shelves and panels. It’s made of recycled materials and features adjustable furniture, a cork panel board and a cabinet to store personal items. Unlike traditional furniture, the Open Desk acts as a ‘room within a room’: it’s designed as an extension of one’s home and can be placed in any space.

The concept of the Open Desk therefore enables people to work remotely, safely and close to home, wherever they live. It’s designed to be applied in both urban and suburban areas and responds to the vacancy of existing premises, ranging from banks, department stores and cinemas. By applying the Open Desk system to these easily accessible and reachable locations, it appeals to all types of workers. It’s intended for those who work independently or cannot yet go to the office, but also for those who want to work closer to home and no longer feel like traveling long distances.

Two people at work in Open Desk workstations, one standing at a raised desk, one seated, ivy trailing from the shelves

Open Desk is made of recycled materials and features adjustable furniture, a cork panel board and a cabinet to store personal items

Three Open Desk units in sand and soft green, plants trailing from the top shelves and a task chair at one worktop

First Open Desk location installed by team Lensvelt

For the implementation of the first Open Desk system, the Lensvelt installation team flew to Napa Valley, California. Project Manager Gwenda Gieseler said they endured and enjoyed the unique collaboration with all other parties on site, as well as lots of pizza in between the hard work. As a result, they managed to complete the first Open Desk system together in just over a week, installing 105 work spaces and seven meeting rooms.

Because the Open Desk is such a flexible system, it can always be reconfigured as needed. However, it’s also perfect for quick deployments at locations worldwide thanks to Lensvelt’s comprehensive plans and instructions. This means the Open Desk can be implemented anywhere without the Lensvelt installation team on site, although they will always be on standby to help.

3D visual of an Open Desk floor layout: rows of enclosed workstations with pastel panels, plus lounge and meeting areas

A 3D visual of the layout of a location

Lensvelt installers unloading a shrink-wrapped pallet from a box truck on a Napa Valley street, black and white

Unloading one of several truckloads

Lensvelt team preparing Open Desk frame components on the floor and on a trolley during installation, black and white

Specialized teams prepared the components

Lensvelt fitter on a stepladder fitting a vertical power column to the open ceiling grid, black and white

Electrical provisions are also neatly finished

Project Manager Gwenda Gieseler fitting a worktop into an Open Desk unit on site, black and white

Project Manager Gwenda Gieseler also takes a hand in the process

Three Lensvelt installers on a break with American pizza beside the mailboxes on the Open Desk site, black and white

Taking a break and quickly enjoying some American delicacy

Installer leaning over a partition in a hall filled with newly built Open Desk workstations, black and white

Installing 105 work spaces and seven meeting rooms in a week

Design sketch by Maarten Jamin: an Open Desk layout drawn over in orange and green marker, with plants and screens

A hand sketch by designer Maarten Jamin

Fast setup and removal

Since the Open Desk is specifically designed for easy and quick installation, it’s ideal for locations that are temporarily unused. It consists mainly of rigid materials and easy to assemble components, making this concept quick to transport and implement, but also quick to disassemble.

By working closely with bs;bp from the first stage of the design process, it was possible to apply sustainable modifications at any time while developing the Open Desk together. As a result, the Open Desk came to life at an early stage and continues to be developed and improved to this day.

A single Open Desk workstation seen from outside, its open frame hung with green, blue and pink felt and a cork panel

Open Desk shelving styled with books, boxes and trailing ivy, pastel felt panels in pink, green and blue between the bays

3D sketch of a larger Open Desk site: blocks of pastel workstations around a central aisle, with long shared tables