When we dealt with flexibility and mobility of hybrid work "asymmetrical and bright” we didn't imagine that the word “mobility” would be taken so literally. Remote working has become increasingly common, with a pandemic as the trigger. Nomadic workers, with laptops and smartphones, are looking for practical solutions to work in any corner of the world. Refold responds to this need... with a foldable and portable cardboard desk. But why in cardboard?
Nothing personal against the cardboard, mind you
Recycled corrugated cardboard furniture is light, economical and has a low environmental impact. They adapt to different needs, not to mention the countless possible customizations. This folding desk by Refold, for example, allows you to work both sitting and standing, weighs only 6,5 kg and can be assembled in less than 2 minutes. It can hold up to 60kg, more than enough for daily use. At the end of the day, just fold it up and put it back in its case. An excellent solution for those who live in small spaces or on the move, such as vans or tiny houses. And then it is 100% recyclable, needless to say.
So why am I puzzled?
I cannot deny that this object is interesting, perhaps useful, but in a world where theartificial intelligence and automation threaten jobs, the idea of a cardboard office can take on a darker meaning. In a period of layoffs in the technology sector and concerns about the future of work, the cardboard office comes to me not as the consecration of the "lightness" and "portability" of work, but as its debasement. It almost seems like a harbinger of a precarious future for many workers.
