IKEA launches MITTZON, its largest office system to date, conceived to meet the changing needs of the many people at work
Inspired by shifting work trends worldwide, MITTZON was developed to help create spaces that enable various work activities and provide an optimised office experience. The family of 85 products prioritises wellbeing through design anchored in holistic ergonomics, including acoustics and nature-inspired elements. In MITTZON acoustic screens, IKEA used wood fibre, a recyclable material made of more than 90% wood, as a sound-absorbing filling for the first time. With MITTZON, IKEA builds on its home expertise to help the many people feel at home in their workplace and create an environment where both individuals and businesses can thrive. It’s the largest office system IKEA has developed and will be available beginning April 2024.
The rise of hybrid work has shifted the role of the physical office from a static space, where everyone has a permanent desk, to one where every day is different, and flexibility is key to meeting changing needs. Additionally, offices today must compete with the comfort of working in a home environment. IKEA took on the challenge of conceptualising a system that addresses the needs of the many people in this new workplace, and the result is MITTZON.
“At IKEA, our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people, and that includes their life at work, where a big portion of their time is spent,” said Jesper Samuelsson, Range Area Manager at IKEA of Sweden AB. “We believe that MITTZON is a stepping stone on our journey to continue developing furnishings that prioritise the needs of the many people at work, wherever that may be.”
The MITTZON office system helps create a fully ergonomic meeting point that adapts to different people, working preferences and activities.
“With MITTZON, our goal was to develop an office system that can establish the foundation for a truly flexible, comfortable and healthy environment, where everyone can find a suitable place to work, feel motivated and inspired,” said Philip Dilé, Product Design Developer at IKEA of Sweden AB.
MITTZON was developed with flexibility at its core. The system includes various products that work together to support different environments at the office – from informal, short meetings to more structured, collaborative activities to individual, focused work. In addition, several MITTZON articles are on castors or can be moved easily to create impromptu workspaces or private areas, or be folded and stacked up when not in use. MITTZON was also developed with simple lines and colours to adapt seamlessly to the personality of any office.
Design anchored in holistic ergonomics
The MITTZON family was designed to support a fully ergonomic environment where the wellbeing of body, mind and soul is considered and prioritised.
“Ergonomic principles cover much more than good posture, and we put much thought into developing pieces that take that into account,” continued Dilé. “We worked with experts in the field to consider not only the physical body but also what affects the senses, and therefore focus and wellbeing, in an office environment, and we’ve incorporated those findings into the development of MITTZON.”
Acoustics was a key consideration in the development of MITTZON, as sound in the workplace can have a significant impact on focus and wellbeing. The MITTZON acoustic screens, the first high-level acoustic products that IKEA has developed, not only absorb and block sound but also prevent visual distractions and offer the privacy needed to do focus work.
Biophilic design, which refers to the use of nature-reminiscing shapes, colours and materials in indoor spaces, is another aspect of ergonomics that guided the development of MITTZON. Biophilic design features have been shown to promote wellness by reducing stress and increasing productivity. As such, the MITTZON family borrows natural elements from the Scandinavian outdoors, such as sand patterns and wood finishes, to help create a relaxing and inspiring environment.
Innovation and durability
IKEA explored filling MITTZON acoustic screens with wood fibre, a material normally used for insulation in building construction. The filling, which is made of more than 90% wood and recyclable, was tested and proven to absorb and block sound effectively, and finally incorporated into the product.
The MITTZON family was designed to be durable and long-lasting, aligning with IKEA’s commitment to making products more circular and with a smaller environmental footprint. In addition to having a timeless look, MITTZON products are modular and can be disassembled and reassembled, refurbished and repaired to allow for many years of use. Moreover, the system is built with high-quality materials that withstand wear, such as fade-resistant wood veneer used on desks and conference table tops, and high-strength steel used in some of the desks. MITTZON is also backed with a 10-year guarantee.
IKEA has been supporting the many people at work for over 40 years. Along with offering products like the MITTZON system, IKEA serves business customers through IKEA for Business, the retailer’s one-stop source for IKEA furniture, accessories and professional design services.
The MITTZON family will be available globally starting April 2024, (in North America starting July 2024). More family products will be added to the offering in 2025.
Source: IKEA
