Activating the spaces in-between

For decades, Stephan Hürlemann has created products with one clear principle: things should last. Reset, his latest modular seating system for Vitra, is no different. With its cross-shaped base providing both stability and distinctive character, the design serves equally well as stepped seating, a stage or a sofa. Design editor Jessica-Christin Hametner spoke to Stephan Hürlemann about Reset, as well as what functional need the system addresses in waiting and work areas.

Jessica-Christin Hametner: Reset is a modular system of stepped floor structures that can be assembled, remodelled, dismantled, removed and reconstructed. What gap in work environments does this project aim to address?

Stephan Hürlemann: Reset bridges the gap between rigid spatial solutions and the changing requirements of modern working and living environments. It creates spaces for encounters, retreat, education and inspiration without the need for permanently installed structures. Reset can be transformed into many things: seating steps, a stage, a platform, a shelf, a sofa or a bed. As a modular system, it can be easily transformed from one use to another. The elements can be recombined and reused again and again. This makes efficient use of space and conserves resources. The result is a space that can adapt instead of having to be replaced.

How did the concept evolve throughout the design process?
At the beginning, Reset consisted of simple wooden frames and tops that were placed next to each other and stacked. This was interesting from a functional point of view, but not yet unique in terms of form.

That’s why I fundamentally questioned the design and developed it further. During this process, the idea of a cross-shaped base emerged. This element gives the system stability and a clear identity with minimal use of materials. With this constructive idea, Reset also became a unique design product in terms of form.

As the process continued, the focus was on user-friendliness. The assembly should be self-explanatory, intuitive and enjoyable, without the need for instructions. Particularly striking is the audible and noticeable click when joining the platforms. The horizontal connectors and fixing elements have a dual function: they secure the elements and serve as assembly tools. At the same time, the choice of materials follows a consistently circular approach – bringing together construction, handling and sustainability as a unified concept.

What materials did you choose for the project and what guided those decisions?
The materials had to meet high functional requirements, particularly in terms of stability and load-bearing capacity. Alongside this, recyclability was a key consideration from the outset.

The panels are available in OSB, dyed- through MDF and natural birch. The substructure elements are made of expanded polypropylene (EPP) with 30% recycled content and are fully recyclable. EPP is very light and highly resilient, making it ideal for a modular system that is frequently reconfigured.
The connecting elements are made of 100% recycled polyamide and are also fully recyclable.

Functionality and sustainability were also the focus for the seat cushions. The V-Foam used is 100% recyclable. The Laser RE cover fabric is made from recycled polyester. The cushions have a zip so that the cover can be removed and washed. The choice of materials was guided equally by functionality, durability and circular thinking.

Is there a particular design detail or element that best expresses the character of Reset?
The most characteristic design element of Reset is its cross-shaped base. It gives the system not only stability but also a distinctive identity. This construction creates small triangular spaces that can be used for storage or shelving, expanding the functionality of the structure itself. Books, plants or other objects can be used to enliven each installation individually and give it a unique character.

What functional need does this design address that is often overlooked in waiting or work areas?
The need for self-empowerment.

In many work and waiting areas, furniture is static and predetermined. Reset offers the opportunity to playfully change room topographies and actively invites users to do so.

Employees can reconfigure the system themselves and redefine their environment. This not only creates functional added value, but also fosters a sense of ownership.

How does Reset accommodate both short-term use and extended occupation?
Reset allows for both short-term use and longer stays because it is flexible, without requiring permanent alterations.

An installation can be created spontaneously for a meeting, a presentation or a break. If a configuration proves successful, it can remain in place permanently.

Reset thus combines mobility with stability. It is less a temporary piece of event furniture and more an adaptable spatial topography.

With its playful reconfiguration, what makes Reset particularly well-suited to in-between zones rather than primary workplaces?
Reset is particularly suitable for intermediate zones because it creates openness rather than rigidity.

Traditional main workplaces require clearly defined functions – desks, technology, ergonomic standards and permanent infrastructure. Intermediate zones, by contrast, are places of transition: informal, spontaneous, communicative or temporarily quiet.

This is exactly where Reset comes in. It structures space without defining it. Reset activates corridors, corners or open areas by giving them spatial quality and a distinctive energy. It remains deliberately low-threshold and flexible, which is precisely why it works so well in intermediate spaces.

In many organisations, transitional zones, such as corridors in schools and universities, windowless corners in lobbies, or underused areas in offices, often feel neglected. How can designers transform these “leftover” spaces into more meaningful areas that better serve employees?
Intermediate zones often become “leftover spaces” because they are difficult to design, due to a wide range of contextual factors. They are frequently “furnished” in a makeshift manner. The first step, therefore, is to understand them as independent spaces - not merely as passageways, but as opportunities.

Designers can activate these areas by giving them spatial structure. Different levels, seating options or small retreats immediately change how the space is perceived. A simple floor area becomes a place for exchange, breaks or informal encounters.

Intermediate zones thrive on openness and low thresholds. They should be adaptable – spaces that employees can intuitively use and help to design themselves.

When residual spaces are given a clear spatial quality, they create places of added value for spontaneous conversations, moments of concentration or collaborative learning. The “in-between” becomes a productive part of the organisation.

With hybrid work transforming how we use offices, could these underutilised areas now be considered the heart of the office?
Yes, absolutely. Work is no longer bound to a traditional workplace. It can happen anywhere - in shared spaces, “in‑between” zones, underused areas, or in any setting that best supports the task at hand.

When intermediate zones are activated with Reset, they can become places of self-empowerment and inspiration. Employees playfully help design these areas, transforming them into their own little worlds.

If you had to describe what makes Reset unique in one sentence, what would it be?
Reset is a modular system that transforms rigid spaces into adaptable spatial topographies, enabling people to design their surroundings in a flexible, resource-efficient and self-determined way.

Stephan Hürlemann is a Swiss architect and designer with an independent studio in Zurich. He designs and develops interiors, furniture, products and installations for international clients. He has worked together with Vitra since 2017.