A workshop by Raphael Gielgen, Head of Research & Trendscout at Vitra.
In March, Raphael Gielgen opened our eyes with his talk The Dawn of a New Era. We left with one clear intention: to keep the conversation going, but differently. That idea became a smaller format with two sessions (EN/DE), 30 participants each, working hands-on with AI.
But before telling you more, we would like to thank all the participants, our colleagues as well as our clients, Raphael Gielgen for his inspiration, Vitra for their support, and Steffen Traiteur for their
always tasteful service.
Insights from our two days together
These sessions were not just four hours in a calendar, but a condensed experience where we could see, in fast motion, how individuals, and organizations as a whole, can step back in order to move forward.
It was striking right from the start: when asked to imagine 2030, participants first described 2025. Yet it is when the focus shifts towards the future that the present suddenly takes on a new light…
Beyond the Office: New Anchors
With every passing hour new stories emerged: a life built on learning, showrooms transforming into creative grounds, and Human Quarters weaving together home and work. Space becomes a field of exploration where the future quietly begins to unfold.
AI as Copilot, Not Captain
In these stories, artificial intelligence is never the center, but always there. As during the workshop, it acts like a co-pilot: it takes away mechanical tasks and gives back to humans their role as decision-makers. What becomes clear is that technology alone will not build the future, but human qualities such as curiosity and openness.
Learning Time: The New Currency
Everything we associate with the office today seems to fade away. In these new landscapes, true value is no longer measured by the number of desks or the power of our tools, but by our genuine ability to dedicate time to learning, individually and together. Because without that time, no meaningful or lasting transformation can ever truly take root.
« Curiosity is the new superpower. »
- Raphael Gielgen -
These stories may not bring final answers, but they raise concrete questions:
How can we take decisions today based on the assumptions of tomorrow? How can we reshape spaces and roles to reflect what we want to become? How will organizations make learning a real line in their agenda - just like a client meeting?
Now, let’s step into the mindset of the one we call the weatherman of work :
You didn’t think we would let him go without one last exchange, did you?
