Faculty of Design

Industrial Design

Esteban Poblano-Zenil

Pea Couch: Designing Human Interaction for the Future Workplace

How can modular furniture, as part of a service design strategy, encourage spontaneous human interaction in post-pandemic office environments?

“Project Value Proposition / Description:The Pea-Couch is a modular seating system developed as a service design solution for WeWork. Beyond just creating a piece of furniture, this project tackles how physical spaces and user experiences can foster collaboration, creativity, and a renewed sense of community. Inspired by the natural, unstructured ways kids connect in parks while playing, the design encourages informal interaction while maintaining the playful, modern aesthetic that defines WeWork’s identity. Flexibility, comfort, and environmental sustainability are at the centre of the concept, ensuring it fits seamlessly into their diverse global locations.To truly understand the needs of the space, I began by creating a user persona and mapping out a journey that could exist within the walls of "WeWork." From there, the process became a deep dive into problem-solving, countless sketches, renderings, and revisions, brought me a step closer to a solution that felt right. There were many moments of trial and error, but every iteration pushed the concept. Throughout it all, modularity, ergonomics, and sustainability remained at the heart of the project, shaping a final outcome that not only meets practical needs but also reflects the care and intention found in every stage of the project development.Insight, Idea, Impact: Unlike traditional office furniture that prioritizes productivity or separation, the Pea-Couch responds to the urgent social needs enhanced by the pandemic. Extensive research into WeWork’s culture, aesthetics, and values shaped this design, from modularity and scalability to material choice and user experience. As a service design project, the Pea-Couch offers more than a product; it creates a new kind of interaction within shared spaces, enabling WeWork to better support its community-focused mission. By integrating ergonomics, modularity, and sustainability, the Pea-Couch provides a playful, human-centered solution that has a meaningful impact on how people work and connect in the evolving modern workplace environment.”