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ECAL x Vitra at Design Parade

Mix Match
Jul 3, 2017

An exhibition at Design Parade Toulon showcases a microarchitecture system developed by ECAL students to create new uses for the Bouroullecs’ Workbays for Vitra.

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Students from ECAL have developed a quirky range of accessories for Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec‘s Workbays. Launched by  Vitra in 2012, the Bouroullecs’ office partition system comprises thin aluminium profiles with pressed and shaped polyester felt.

Says designer Camille Blin, who headed the project: “The ECAL students suggested we devised new typologies for these working environments, adding novel features and supplying them with new accessories.” These include objects that cater to the usual office gripes – not enough storage or sockets, waste bins that go missing, and alternative seating options. The designs go further too, to function like a micro-architectural system that disrupts the typically desk-gridded office with napping, gyming and gardening bays.

The exhibition shows at Design Parade Toulon until September 24. Read more about each of the students’ projects in our photo gallery.

Installation view of Workbay exhibition by Ecal students in collaboration with Vitra. Circuit Carpet by Sara Regal. Made of two separate layers of grooved rubber and felt, this carpet allows the electric cabling to run discreetly throughout the workspace.
Installation view of Workbay exhibition by Ecal students in collaboration with Vitra. Circuit Carpet by Sara Regal. Made of two separate layers of grooved rubber and felt, this carpet allows the electric cabling to run discreetly throughout the workspace.
Bar Bay by Sara de Campos. Relying on the Workbays assembly principle, this new bar typology enables office staff to cook and have lunch within a single compact space.
Bar Bay by Sara de Campos. Relying on the Workbays assembly principle, this new bar typology enables office staff to cook and have lunch within a single compact space.
Capsule Bay by Antoine Chauvin. Modelled on the famous capsule hotels that can be found in Tokyo, this raised Workbay offers two single bedrooms for napping.
Capsule Bay by Antoine Chauvin. Modelled on the famous capsule hotels that can be found in Tokyo, this raised Workbay offers two single bedrooms for napping.
Capsule Bay by Antoine Chauvin. Modelled on the famous capsule hotels that can be found in Tokyo, this raised Workbay offers two single bedrooms for napping.
Capsule Bay by Antoine Chauvin. Modelled on the famous capsule hotels that can be found in Tokyo, this raised Workbay offers two single bedrooms for napping.
Divider Bay by Hiroyuki Morita. These partitions rely on the various Workbays component elements to create a simple, lightweight typology. Standing Help by Christian Holweck. This high stool is ergonomically designed while remaining simple and elegant.
Divider Bay by Hiroyuki Morita. These partitions rely on the various Workbays component elements to create a simple, lightweight typology. Standing Help by Christian Holweck. This high stool is ergonomically designed while remaining simple and elegant.
Farm Bay by Paula Cermeno. Like a small plant oasis bursting forth in an often impersonal working environment, this new Workbays typology includes a trellis for office flora to bloom.
Farm Bay by Paula Cermeno. Like a small plant oasis bursting forth in an often impersonal working environment, this new Workbays typology includes a trellis for office flora to bloom.
Hacking Bay by Aleksandra Szewc. A few straightforward additions to the Workbays felt wall provide bicycle-parking, coat-hanging and tool-sorting facilities.
Hacking Bay by Aleksandra Szewc. A few straightforward additions to the Workbays felt wall provide bicycle-parking, coat-hanging and tool-sorting facilities.
In & Out Bin by Yeyeon Park. As it is directly fitted into the Workbays felt walls, this bin system saves on floor space and allows the user to access the bin from either inside or outside the unit.
In & Out Bin by Yeyeon Park. As it is directly fitted into the Workbays felt walls, this bin system saves on floor space and allows the user to access the bin from either inside or outside the unit.
Magnetic Lamp by Yen-Hao Chu. Running along the grooves that punctuate the Workbays felt walls, this small lamp slides sideways to provide extra lighting where it is needed.
Magnetic Lamp by Yen-Hao Chu. Running along the grooves that punctuate the Workbays felt walls, this small lamp slides sideways to provide extra lighting where it is needed.
Nap Bay by Yasunori Morinaga. With the addition of a curtain system and a mattress, this Workbay provides some privacy within a shared space in the form of a daybed.
Nap Bay by Yasunori Morinaga. With the addition of a curtain system and a mattress, this Workbay provides some privacy within a shared space in the form of a daybed.
Plug & Tray by Maxime Augay. This multisocket cleverly conceals the unsightly wire tangles under a built-in tray.
Plug & Tray by Maxime Augay. This multisocket cleverly conceals the unsightly wire tangles under a built-in tray.
Workout Bay by Paul Louda. Fitted on to the Workbays structure, various pieces of apparatus allow office staff to work out at their place of work.
Workout Bay by Paul Louda. Fitted on to the Workbays structure, various pieces of apparatus allow office staff to work out at their place of work.
Stadium Bay by Adrien Cugulliere. Four lamps modelled on stadium floodlights have been integrated into the Workbays as an extension to the aluminium profiles. They produce uniform lighting over the whole working area. Leather Bag by Nicolas de Vismes. Once it’s opened out, this leather bag becomes a desk pad and customises any user’s workspace.
Stadium Bay by Adrien Cugulliere. Four lamps modelled on stadium floodlights have been integrated into the Workbays as an extension to the aluminium profiles. They produce uniform lighting over the whole working area. Leather Bag by Nicolas de Vismes. Once it’s opened out, this leather bag becomes a desk pad and customises any user’s workspace.
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