In an ideal workplace, staff are engaged, productivity is high, the place feels good and it is fit-for-purpose. What this looks like, of course, is constantly in flux.

As ideas around work and life change, technology advances, where and how a team functions comes up for discussion, so too do work environments – and workplace furniture. One brand that has acute knowledge of this is Accent Furniture, which is celebrating 50 years in the business.

Founded in 1969 by Neil Kennard on the Central Coast of New South Wales, three generations later the family business is still actively servicing the corporate, education and healthcare sectors with quality modern furniture.

As head of business development, Alby Kennard, explains: “Neil’s same passion for design lives on and we now service both corporate and government sectors across Australia with a complete range of collaborative, educational and workplace furniture solutions that enhance team engagement and increase productivity.”

In a small and competitive market, this is no small feat. It reflects a company that has paid attention to the needs, issues and challenges of corporate environments and who have drawn on their experience to find solutions that not only work but better our environments. This is noticed too, and Accent have “established a reputation for manufacturing innovative and high-quality modern furniture solutions”.

Accent isn’t just celebrating 50 years though; it’s celebrating the future.

“We have worked with the design market for a long time now and we will continue to showcase our products to the industry. We have a number of exciting new partnerships in 2020 which we can’t wait to show you, bringing you the best in European design with the flexibility and quality of Australian manufacturing,” says Kennard.

This year they have launched two new products. A prime example of Accent’s commitment to dynamic design is the Aira chair range. Designed by Giovanni Baccolini, Aira is a comprehensive collection of breakout and visitor chairs to suit any commercial, public, educational or home environment. And ‘any’ really means ‘any’. This eclectic range comes with endless options – from sled and pyramidal bases to denim upholstery or wood, varnished steel to bi-colour options, arms, no arms, or just a stool.

The second range is the Copenhagen Workstation. With solid natural ash legs in a splayed triangular profile, it is an elegant desk system that offers a fresh and sleek structure to any workspace. And with frames designed and manufactured in Italy, and worktops and accessories manufactured in Australia – it’s another hybrid of high- end design, quality and flexibility.

If these are the offerings for 2020, it is exciting to think what the next 50 years holds. Because workplaces – all places – are only going to continue to change.

This article originally appears in issue #80 of Indesign magazine – the ‘Education’ issue out in stores on February 20. Get regular design inspiration by joining our mailing list.