I’m currently working on putting the next issue of viewpoint magazine to bed. The issue is shaping up to be a fantastic read as we explore the future of work and the future of the workplace.

As I started looking at the future of the workplace, it reminded me of a trip I took to New York in the spring of 2001 to learn about the future of work at the Museum of Modern Art. “Workspheres” was an exhibition organized by Paola Antonelli that examined the balance between work and life, and the important role designers play in devising effective solutions for the ever-changing workplace.

The exhibition featured six built concepts of work tools and environments designed by Naoto Fukasawa; Martí Guixé; Hella Jongerius; Lot/Ek Architects; the MIT Media Laboratory/John Maeda and Joe Paradiso; and a team made up of Jeff Reuschel and Ronna Alexander, Brian Alexander, Christopher Budd, Kevin Estrada, and Brad Paley.

The concepts brought to life visions of the near future of the workplace. The concepts ranged in size and type from entire working environments to computer interfaces and personal accessories. The exhibition also presented a selection of prototypes and available products. The office furniture industry played a major role in the exhibition.

Yet nearly 25 years later, we are no closer to understanding the future of the workplace than we were at the turn of the century. If you look at the pictures of the exhibit, products in 2001 look a lot like they do today. In fact, some of the pieces look more innovative than products we are seeing today.

Antonelli was prescient when she described the state of work and how it would evolve in the future.

“Work has become transportable and ubiquitous, almost a state of mind,” said Antonelli in a press release issued at the start of the exhibition. “Like a bubble of pure concentration that one can turn on and off with or without the help of tangible tools, work is where you are. The title of the exhibition comes from the concept of the individual workspace as a halo, a private and personal space, that better defines and enables interaction among people and with work tools.”

In many ways, these “work halos” are defining the workplace of today and the future. Modular rooms and pods are filling offices, creating work hubs and personal harbors (remember the Steelcase product of the same name?).

It is interesting to see how the workplace of today is needed most for collaboration, but the most important products are those to help isolate workers and give them personal, private space.

What’s the future of the workplace? What do you think? Reach out and let me know at rob@officeinsight.com.