It’s obvious: Thanks to technology, a lot of people can now work from anywhere, carrying the office with them in their pocket, briefcase or backpack. So, more and more, it’s become routine to sometimes disappear from the workplace, going instead to cafés, bookstores or other venues that offer a more relaxed, informal vibe. Unlike the office, in those alternative settings it’s easy to settle into a comfy chair or perch on a stool at the counter and work in a way that feels unrestricted and natural.

However, most people find out fairly quickly that, although “anywhere” may be a nice change of pace, the advantages are short-term. “Anywhere” is almost certain to be noisy and lack the tools and technologies that we depend on and can access so easily at work, from sticky notes and whiteboards to power access and printers. What’s more, teams risk splintering and losing valuable face time while members search out those comfortable “favorite” spaces to tackle projects. And, as many employers know firsthand, the less time people spend at the office, the less likely they are to be fully engaged.

In light of these trends, the turnstone product development team started asking, “What if our favorite places could be brought into the office? What if our work settings adjusted to us rather than us adjusting to them?”

“The more we looked around, the more we discovered that people are working in various lounge postures, so why not fully integrate those postures into the workplace?” says Brian Shapland, general manager, turnstone.

“People want the freedom to work ‘their way.’ Very few of us sit all day tethered to a desktop computer anymore. People are moving around and want flexibility in a work culture that encourages self-expression and authenticity.”

The results of turnstone’s insights are new additions to the Campfire™ collection and a new multipurpose chair. Together, they bring the appeal of away-from-the-office settings into the office so that workers can enjoy the best of both worlds. For a close-up look, keep reading.