Blurring the lines between work and play,
inside and out, now and in the future.
inside and out, now and in the future.
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Indoor vs. outdoor
The name ‘Extremis’ is a free translation of ‘out of the ordinary’ into Latin. ‘Out’ because all our products were primarily designed to be used outdoors. ‘Ordinary’ because they exude humbleness and serve their users rather than stealing the show themselves. Because Extremis products are designed in this particular way, they are perfectly suited to cross the boundary between indoors and outdoors. In fact, Extremis has always defied the notion that outdoor furniture can only be used outdoors. In 1994, when we just started, the outdoor design market was still in its infancy. Design furniture was only used indoors. Today, this imaginary boundary has almost completely disappeared. As is clear from our current product range, the interior is becoming an extension of the garden and vice versa. |
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Indoor vs. outdoor
The name ‘Extremis’ is a free translation of ‘out of the ordinary’ into Latin. ‘Out’ because all our products were primarily designed to be used outdoors. ‘Ordinary’ because they exude humbleness and serve their users rather than stealing the show themselves. Because Extremis products are designed in this particular way, they are perfectly suited to cross the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
In fact, Extremis has always defied the notion that outdoor furniture can only be used outdoors. In 1994, when we just started, the outdoor design market was still in its infancy. Design furniture was only used indoors. Today, this imaginary boundary has almost completely disappeared. As is clear from our current product range, the interior is becoming an extension of the garden and vice versa.
The name ‘Extremis’ is a free translation of ‘out of the ordinary’ into Latin. ‘Out’ because all our products were primarily designed to be used outdoors. ‘Ordinary’ because they exude humbleness and serve their users rather than stealing the show themselves. Because Extremis products are designed in this particular way, they are perfectly suited to cross the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
In fact, Extremis has always defied the notion that outdoor furniture can only be used outdoors. In 1994, when we just started, the outdoor design market was still in its infancy. Design furniture was only used indoors. Today, this imaginary boundary has almost completely disappeared. As is clear from our current product range, the interior is becoming an extension of the garden and vice versa.
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Ordinary vs. extraordinary
Our tools for togetherness also have that extra something. That’s because we look at things differently. Form follows function: we solve practical problems or improve existing situations by ‘rethinking the box’. This is why, from an aesthetic point of view, Extremis products aren’t afraid to be edgy, to contain a certain twist. ‘Strange looking but well-functioning’ is probably the most common feedback we get from colleagues in the course of a new design project. It’s that je ne sais quoi that makes our products cross the threshold between the ‘ordinary’ and the ‘extraordinary’. In this way, we also find an equilibrium between the familiar and the forward-thinking. We design for the future, but keep our users’ worldviews firmly in mind. We position ourselves right on the brink between the conflicting forces of safety and excitement. The end result is always something familiar, yet surprising. Something undeniably innovative, yet acceptable. As a result of this balance, Extremis’ furniture is always ahead of its time. A new product is aimed at early adopters, but in time, finds its way to a broader audience. |
Work vs. play
Another boundary we’ve constantly ignored through our 20-year history is the one between work and play. Office spaces with a homey feel are en vogue right now, as are ‘breakout spaces’. These designated areas offer employees a space for collaboration, informal meetings, or just a refreshing alternative to their familiar workplace. It’s important that breakout spaces are different from the heads-down workspace. Choosing the right furniture can play an important role in this. This workplace evolution has been enthusiastically embraced by frontrunners like Google and Apple – both Extremis fans. Google even converted the idea into concrete workplace guidelines, and turned workplace design into a science in itself. It’s a way to ‘optimise people’, both in terms of happiness and performance. There are even instructions for the lunch tables: if you want employees to meet each other, the tables should be long. This will expose them to more people who they can get to know. They also found that diner booths boost creativity more than conference rooms. The goal is to facilitate ‘casual collisions’ through interior design. After all, as Google’s Vice President of Real Estate and Workplace Service David Radcliffe says: “You can’t schedule innovation or idea generation.” |
Ordinary vs. extraordinary
Our tools for togetherness also have that extra something. That’s because we look at things differently. Form follows function: we solve practical problems or improve existing situations by ‘rethinking the box’. This is why, from an aesthetic point of view, Extremis products aren’t afraid to be edgy, to contain a certain twist. ‘Strange looking but well-functioning’ is probably the most common feedback we get from colleagues in the course of a new design project. It’s that je ne sais quoi that makes our products cross the threshold between the ‘ordinary’ and the ‘extraordinary’.
In this way, we also find an equilibrium between the familiar and the forward-thinking. We design for the future, but keep our users’ worldviews firmly in mind. We position ourselves right on the brink between the conflicting forces of safety and excitement. The end result is always something familiar, yet surprising. Something undeniably innovative, yet acceptable. As a result of this balance, Extremis’ furniture is always ahead of its time. A new product is aimed at early adopters, but in time, finds its way to a broader audience.
Our tools for togetherness also have that extra something. That’s because we look at things differently. Form follows function: we solve practical problems or improve existing situations by ‘rethinking the box’. This is why, from an aesthetic point of view, Extremis products aren’t afraid to be edgy, to contain a certain twist. ‘Strange looking but well-functioning’ is probably the most common feedback we get from colleagues in the course of a new design project. It’s that je ne sais quoi that makes our products cross the threshold between the ‘ordinary’ and the ‘extraordinary’.
In this way, we also find an equilibrium between the familiar and the forward-thinking. We design for the future, but keep our users’ worldviews firmly in mind. We position ourselves right on the brink between the conflicting forces of safety and excitement. The end result is always something familiar, yet surprising. Something undeniably innovative, yet acceptable. As a result of this balance, Extremis’ furniture is always ahead of its time. A new product is aimed at early adopters, but in time, finds its way to a broader audience.
Work vs. play
Another boundary we’ve constantly ignored through our 20-year history is the one between work and play. Office spaces with a homey feel are en vogue right now, as are ‘breakout spaces’. These designated areas offer employees a space for collaboration, informal meetings, or just a refreshing alternative to their familiar workplace. It’s important that breakout spaces are different from the heads-down workspace. Choosing the right furniture can play an important role in this.
This workplace evolution has been enthusiastically embraced by frontrunners like Google and Apple – both Extremis fans. Google even converted the idea into concrete workplace guidelines, and turned workplace design into a science in itself. It’s a way to ‘optimise people’, both in terms of happiness and performance. There are even instructions for the lunch tables: if you want employees to meet each other, the tables should be long. This will expose them to more people who they can get to know. They also found that diner booths boost creativity more than conference rooms. The goal is to facilitate ‘casual collisions’ through interior design. After all, as Google’s Vice President of Real Estate and Workplace Service David Radcliffe says: “You can’t schedule innovation or idea generation.”
Another boundary we’ve constantly ignored through our 20-year history is the one between work and play. Office spaces with a homey feel are en vogue right now, as are ‘breakout spaces’. These designated areas offer employees a space for collaboration, informal meetings, or just a refreshing alternative to their familiar workplace. It’s important that breakout spaces are different from the heads-down workspace. Choosing the right furniture can play an important role in this.
This workplace evolution has been enthusiastically embraced by frontrunners like Google and Apple – both Extremis fans. Google even converted the idea into concrete workplace guidelines, and turned workplace design into a science in itself. It’s a way to ‘optimise people’, both in terms of happiness and performance. There are even instructions for the lunch tables: if you want employees to meet each other, the tables should be long. This will expose them to more people who they can get to know. They also found that diner booths boost creativity more than conference rooms. The goal is to facilitate ‘casual collisions’ through interior design. After all, as Google’s Vice President of Real Estate and Workplace Service David Radcliffe says: “You can’t schedule innovation or idea generation.”
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How the Herman Teirlinck building breaks boundaries
With a surface area of 66,500 m2, the Herman Teirlinck building on the Tour & Taxis site in Brussels is the largest passive building in Belgium. The beating heart of the building is a covered, indoor street. Here, all common functions shared by staff and visitors — such as a central information desk, restaurant, reception rooms, auditoriums, exhibition space and meeting centres — are located. The street also provides access to four large winter gardens, which provide daylight to the floors above and are not climate controlled. In this way, they effectively bridge the gap between inside and outside. Strategically placed in the gardens alongside the vegetation are a number of Extremis’ Hopper tables and benches to create the perfect place to take a break from work and relax. In a few years’ time, those courtyards will provide five-meter-high green oases: multifunctional spaces where workers and visitors can escape the daily hustle and bustle and reflect. In total, the Herman Teirlinck building provides 1,800 flexible workplaces for 2,600 people. Not only is this in line with the rising teleworking trend, it also means that employees are free to choose the spot in the office that is best suited to their current task. Every workplace is a generous 20 square meters. Ample working space, and the availability of breakout spaces in the form of four courtyards, provide the ideal environment to strike a balance between relaxation and productivity. |
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How the Herman Teirlinck building breaks boundaries
With a surface area of 66,500 m2, the Herman Teirlinck building on the Tour & Taxis site in Brussels is the largest passive building in Belgium. The beating heart of the building is a covered, indoor street. Here, all common functions shared by staff and visitors — such as a central information desk, restaurant, reception rooms, auditoriums, exhibition space and meeting centres — are located.
The street also provides access to four large winter gardens, which provide daylight to the floors above and are not climate controlled. In this way, they effectively bridge the gap between inside and outside. Strategically placed in the gardens alongside the vegetation are a number of Extremis’ Hopper tables and benches to create the perfect place to take a break from work and relax. In a few years’ time, those courtyards will provide five-meter-high green oases: multifunctional spaces where workers and visitors can escape the daily hustle and bustle and reflect.
In total, the Herman Teirlinck building provides 1,800 flexible workplaces for 2,600 people. Not only is this in line with the rising teleworking trend, it also means that employees are free to choose the spot in the office that is best suited to their current task. Every workplace is a generous 20 square meters. Ample working space, and the availability of breakout spaces in the form of four courtyards, provide the ideal environment to strike a balance between relaxation and productivity.
With a surface area of 66,500 m2, the Herman Teirlinck building on the Tour & Taxis site in Brussels is the largest passive building in Belgium. The beating heart of the building is a covered, indoor street. Here, all common functions shared by staff and visitors — such as a central information desk, restaurant, reception rooms, auditoriums, exhibition space and meeting centres — are located.
The street also provides access to four large winter gardens, which provide daylight to the floors above and are not climate controlled. In this way, they effectively bridge the gap between inside and outside. Strategically placed in the gardens alongside the vegetation are a number of Extremis’ Hopper tables and benches to create the perfect place to take a break from work and relax. In a few years’ time, those courtyards will provide five-meter-high green oases: multifunctional spaces where workers and visitors can escape the daily hustle and bustle and reflect.
In total, the Herman Teirlinck building provides 1,800 flexible workplaces for 2,600 people. Not only is this in line with the rising teleworking trend, it also means that employees are free to choose the spot in the office that is best suited to their current task. Every workplace is a generous 20 square meters. Ample working space, and the availability of breakout spaces in the form of four courtyards, provide the ideal environment to strike a balance between relaxation and productivity.
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