Designing for change: VANK’s eco-conscious modular office systems

Amid a growing demand for sustainability and modularity in design, VANK emerges with a unique offering for the office market. Founded by Anna Vonhausen in Poland, this brand is composed by an innovative team of architects, engineers, and artisans who are redefining office environments with products that follow the circular economy model. 

From acoustic pods to modular systems, their creations blend technology with an unwavering commitment to reducing waste and embracing eco-materials.

At Dutch Design Week 2024, their showcase at the Isola Design group’s Disclosure exhibition highlighted their use of biomaterials in a range of functional products. The brand unveiled designs like the VANK_FLIP modular wall and the striking VANK_BRICKS 3D biopanel, demonstrating the potential of sustainable solutions for dynamic, flexible spaces.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the brand’s line of eco-conscious products, their mission to bring acoustic comfort and well-being to modern workplaces, and their vision for the future of design.

What is VANK? How did the journey for furniture and object design begin? 

Anna Vonhausen:

“We are a team of architects, engineers, and artisans. We create furniture intelligently, with respect for the natural environment, and manufacture it using the latest technologies. We believe in a circular economy model that limits the consumption of natural resources, reduces the amount of waste generated, and increases the use of biodegradable, renewable, and recyclable materials. We’re all about high quality, taking responsibility for what we do and produce, making our products last as long as possible.

Our flagship products are acoustic solutions like acoustic pods, panels, mobile screens, which can be configured with each other in any way. We can equip the pods with different collections of agile furniture, depending on the needs of the organization. 

What makes us unique as a manufacturer and brand in the office market, in addition to the extensive use of eco-friendly materials, is the ability to offer complete mobile rooms finished with 3D panels both on the inside and outside. This translates into an even greater level of acoustic comfort and well-being in open-plan office environments.”

Your products are 100% manufactured in Europe. Why is it important to have control over the entire manufacturing process?

Anna Vonhausen:

“By overseeing every stage of production, we aim to ensure that each product meets the highest standards of craftsmanship, durability, and performance. This guarantees consistent quality for customers. 

Controlling the manufacturing process enables us to prioritize environmentally friendly practices. The company can choose sustainable materials, reduce waste, and ensure that the production methods align with strict European ecological regulations.”

Your participation in Dutch Design Week 2024 brought a lot of attention. Can you tell us more about your exhibition?

Anna Vonhausen:

“From October 19 to 27, we presented our designs for the third time at Dutch Design Week, where creativity and design innovation come to life. The brand was presented at the Isola Design group event in the main area of DDW: Strijp-S. This year’s exhibition, Disclosure, transformed a 300 m² space – the iconic Area 51 – the Netherlands’ largest indoor skatepark.  VANK built a mobile pop-up based on the VANK_FLIP modular wall with a new 3D panel – VANK_BRICKS and  was filled with the VANK_CUBE system.”

The highlight of the mobile pop-up was that it presented a variety of products made from bio-materials. Can you explain more about them?

Anna Vonhausen:

“The mobile pop-up presented VANK_FLIP, which is an acoustic bio-based wall designed for zoning spaces and creating temporary pop-ups in the retail industry. 

The panels used in the walls were VANK_BRICKS, our new 3D biopanel design, developed in collaboration with Bidermann + Wide architects, and based on our technology. The studio, led by Maciej Bidermann and based in Poznań, specializes in creating interior architecture in line with the idea of future-conscious design, considering the needs of both people and the planet.”

The modular wall VANK_FLIP has movable segments of panels. Can you explain to us further how it works and the options for placement? 

Anna Vonhausen:

“The VANK_FLIP acoustic bio-based wall is designed to zone office spaces with a modular solution that connects screens into infinitely long walls. Featuring movable segments, the panels allow users to control accessibility by opening or closing any segment, mimicking a flip.

The wall’s unique ability to effectively reduce reverberation time, thanks to being double-sided and covered with bio panels α=0.90, has been scientifically confirmed using advanced acoustic modeling. VANK offers many types of panels: Ellipse, Column, Diamond, Wave, Flat, and Bricks. The VANK_FLIP modular wall will be available in 2025.”

The modular furniture CUBE is versatile and has a variety of uses, can you tell us more about it? 

Anna Vonhausen:

“VANK_CUBE is a modular system of cubes made of flax and hemp biomaterial that makes it possible to set up an eco-friendly workspace for any size and purpose — and rearrange it easily. 

Modularity means that a number of CUBES put together can be used as a desk, a workshop meeting table, a front office desk, a storage unit, a shelf for household appliances, or a space-dividing unit thanks to the flexible ‘building block’ and a set of dedicated connectors and fasteners. 

The modular design fosters vibrant, playroom-like spaces that encourage dynamic problem-solving. Interior designers and users can create imaginative compositions using complementary elements such as tops, fasteners, side panels, plates made of VANK_BIO biomaterial, and bases with castors or upholstered cushions.”

Your commitment to circularity is shown in multiple products. What are some of the other biodesigns of the brand?

Anna Vonhausen:

“Biodesign included in the portfolio at the moment are wall panels VANK_PANEL_BIO and VANK_FLIP_BIO, modular furniture VANK_CUBE and acoustic pods VANK_BOX_BIO.

VANK_BOX_BIO is a trendsetting innovative acoustic solution made of plant fibres, designed for open spaces in offices. These solutions support workplace well-being, creating a healthy environment conducive to quiet and focus. 

The acoustic pods provide a sustainable fit-out for modern offices, catering to the needs of the most demanding talents – ideal for meetings, videoconferences, individual work, or relaxation. Thanks to the optional castors, the agile pods can be easily rotated or moved to reorganize office life, while the robust construction is designed for multiple disassembly and assembly, in case of company relocations.”

Can architects or interior designers collaborate with you in the creation of a new space? Are there possibilities for customization?

Anna Vonhausen:

“Yes, architects and interior designers can collaborate with us in the creation of new spaces, with extensive possibilities for customization. We offer a range of mobile acoustic pods designed for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 persons, providing flexible solutions tailored to various needs.

Our pods are available in multiple configurations, including options with one or two glass walls. Side panels can be either plain or upholstered in fabric. The pods include safety glass doors, connection panels, ventilation systems, energy-efficient LED lighting, sound systems, TV screen mounts, and control panels. 

We offer additionally agile furniture collections that can be customized to fit the organization’s needs. Further acoustic solutions such as mobile walls, desk panels, and wall reliefs, can be configured with the pods. These elements, made from VANK_BIO materials or upholstered panels from recycling and featuring matching panel designs, create a cohesive, modern office environment.”