Architecture & Design News South Africa

Interactive spaces is gaining traction in corporate environment

The workplace environment is changing as companies adopt a more holistic approach to doing business, with a focus on team integration and participation.
Ditulo Office Furniture Engineers CEO, Isla Galloway-Gaul
Ditulo Office Furniture Engineers CEO, Isla Galloway-Gaul

This is according to Ditulo Office Furniture Engineers CEO, Isla Galloway-Gaul. "While creative industries such as advertising have utilised collaborative spaces for team meetings and brainstorms for many years, the use of such collaborative and interactive spaces is now also gaining great traction within the corporate environment.

"Furniture plays an important role in this regard, not only do these spaces need to be comfortable and flexible but they also have to carry a high level of acoustics - keeping out disturbing office noises while allowing communication within the space to be projected clearly. We work with local architects and interior designers who have an exceptional understanding of the workplace today and working environments of the future," she says.

Significant turnaround

Ditulo - a 30% black women owned company whose shareholders include Bidvest and AloeCap - has experienced a significant turnaround in terms of culture, brand and performance over the last year, one year after Galloway-Gaul stepped into the leadership role. It's turnover increased by 124% in 2015 when compared to the previous financial year ending 31 June. Ditulo's trading profit also increased by 327% over this period.

Interactive spaces is gaining traction in corporate environment

The small business has access to two of the largest office furniture factories in South Africa, both of which meet quality management standards, are ISO 2009 accredited and are part of the BidOffice Furniture group (which is owned by Bidvest).

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