The ongoing debate about the relevance of offices and their appeal has sparked a variety of opinions. Naava’s CEO, Jarno Haikonen, believes that integrating nature into built environments is a key solution for increasing office attractiveness and fostering interactions. A prime example of such a solution is the recently launched Naava Swan, an intelligent, air-purifying green furniture piece.
Balancing remote work with more in-person interactions
In late August, Helsingin Sanomat reported on the growing trend of office spaces becoming deserted as companies relocate to smaller premises. In the Helsinki metropolitan area, over a million square meters of office space remains vacant. At the same time, companies are scrambling to find ways to lure employees back by creating cozy, lounge-like or café-style environments, offering entertainment and services. An article by Yle highlighted that employees prefer remote work, while companies are pushing to bring them back into the office.
“Flexible remote work certainly has its place, but today there are too few in-person interactions,” says Naava’s CEO, Jarno Haikonen. “Genuine face-to-face meetings spark ideas, foster innovation, and provide individuals with energy through a sense of community—something that virtual interactions can never fully replicate.”
A study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health titled Miten Suomi Voi? (How is Finland Doing?) found that remote work has more drawbacks than benefits, both for individuals and companies. One-third of remote workers reported feelings of loneliness, and it was also linked to decreased motivation and engagement. The office is not just a place to work but also plays a key role in creating a sense of community and purpose. Haikonen believes that employers are responsible for creating work environments that facilitate interactions—where ideas turn into actions, conversations become stories, and individuals transform into communities.
Nature creates attractiveness and wellbeing
“Focusing on the basics goes a long way, and major renovations or investments aren’t always necessary to create an ideal workspace, learning environment, or social area. Our solutions offer a simple and flexible way to achieve this.”
Naava’s solutions are based on biophilic space planning, which considers human biological needs. Bringing nature into stark, urban environments—such as offices, schools, stores, or other public spaces—improves not only the atmosphere but also, according to research, people’s comfort and well-being. Cozy, flexible, and adaptable spaces that support health and wellness create the perfect environment for meaningful interactions.
Modern offices emphasize flexibility. Office spaces must quickly adapt to different purposes, such as teamwork, individual work, and creative projects. Naava’s new product, the Naava Swan, launched this week, meets this demand by offering a movable and versatile piece of furniture that transforms spaces to fit different needs without significant structural changes.
The Naava Swan concept was originally inspired by Vitra’s Dancing Wall.
Naava wanted to create a product that brings nature indoors, combining plants, fresh forest air, and design elements inspired by northern nature. It combines the best features of all Naava’s existing products. This movable green furniture on wheels functions both as a room divider and a striking design element. Its plants not only enhance acoustics but also efficiently purify and humidify the air. The fully automated solution, controllable via an app, ensures the plants always look vibrant. Like other Naava products, the Naava Swan is available as a complete package that includes the product, delivery, installation, maintenance, financing, and recycling.
The Swan glides effortlessly into any space, bringing with it a touch of nature that draws people in.
"A key element of thriving communities is interaction, which is currently happening far too infrequently. Part of the issue lies in the types of meeting spaces we provide. Our goal is to seamlessly introduce nature’s wellness-promoting qualities into these spaces, and the Naava Swan is a significant step toward that goal.."
- Jarno Haikonen, CEO Naava
More information:
www.naava.io/fi/swan
Media contact:
Siru Heiskanen
Head of Marketing
siru.heiskanen[at]naava.io
+358 50 470 2160