Haworth joins designer Marie-Virginie Berbet to create CalmSpace, a stand alone, “plug & play” power nap capsule for the office. Individuals searching for rest enter through an acoustic curtain and lay down on a fabric-upholstered mattress. The user is able to select a power nap period – from 10 to 20 minutes – that includes preset sound and light cycles, which helps the individual fall asleep and wake up smoothly.
CalmSpace allows individuals to refresh, relax, and reenergize to be ready for productive activity. In times of high-speed work and a demanding economy, many companies offer their employees collaborative relaxation areas like lounges and cafeterias, but few are exploring the benefits of calm, individual relaxation. With an unusual background in neuropharmacology, Marie-Virginie Berbet used her scientific knowledge in her CalmSpace design. The short- and long-term benefits of mid-day naps include improved cognitive abilities (e.g., alertness, memory, learning, and creativity), improved mood, stress prevention, better nightly sleep, and can even lower the likelihood of heart disease.
In 2011, Haworth tested a prototype of the CalmSpace concept at the call centre of France Telecom Orange in Lyon. Now, Haworth is extending CalmSpace’s innovative approach to lifestyle at work to all companies. CalmSpace is a helpful retreat area for people who do intense work, have demanding schedules or are subject to jet lag.
Developed by Haworth in cooperation with Zyken, who provided scientifically-validated light and sound technologies, CalmSpace is made of dark grey-blue coloured composite material with acoustic foam used between the internal and external skin.
