Bretford Motiv

Our Work > Appliances > Sub-Zero Classic Series (Gen 5)

The Process

Discover

Our design team partnered with Bretford to explore emerging needs in workplace and educational environments, particularly around hybrid collaboration and user mobility. Through site visits and stakeholder interviews, the team gathered insight into how spaces were used and where traditional lounge seating fell short.

Key insights included:

• A need for semi-private zones within open lounges and lobbies

• Increasing demand for accessible charging in casual seating

• A desire for reconfigurable layouts that could adapt over time

• Preferences for materials and finishes that balance comfort, durability, and aesthetics

Design

We worked with Bretford’s engineering and marketing teams to define the core objectives for a unified soft seating system.

The project team defined three top priorities:

1. Design for Modularity and Scalability: Components must support both small and large installations, with flexible arrangements.

2. Power Integration: Enable plug-and-play access to power throughout the system without disrupting form or comfort.

3. Balance Comfort and Durability: Create seating that’s inviting for extended use, with materials and construction that meet commercial standards.

Deliver

The MOTIV™ Seating System was developed as a platform — one visual and structural language deployed across multiple seating elements. These include freestanding chairs, high-back sofas, modular benches, and integrated power bridges.

Key design features include:

• Plywood internal frame construction with stretched sheet webbing for flexible, ergonomic seat support

• Signature 14-gauge flat oval tubing for leg structures, unique to Bretford’s visual identity

• Modular bridge units that connect individual seats and provide dual power access (USB + 120V)

• Optional rotating tray tables for personal device use or note-taking

• Wide fabric and leather finish options for tailored applications across education, corporate, and public venues

Each element was designed to work independently or as part of a larger seating ecosystem, giving architects and planners the tools to create spaces that are both dynamic and comfortable.

Bretford

Motiv seating system

The MOTIV™ Seating System, developed in collaboration with Bretford Manufacturing, reimagines lounge and collaborative seating through a modular, highly configurable design. From high-back sofas offering privacy to inline chairs with integrated power and optional work surfaces, the system was designed to flex across a range of work, education, and public environments. With a modern visual language, ergonomic comfort, and seamless power integration, MOTIV™ supports the evolving needs of today’s active spaces.

Key Design Enhancements:

• High-Back Privacy Sofas: Offer semi-private zones for focused work or small group interaction in open-plan environments.

• Rotating Tray Surface Option: Integrated work surface on freestanding chairs allows quick transitions from lounge to task mode.

• Modular Configurability: Endless layout possibilities using an adaptable seating system that accommodates different room sizes and functions.

• Integrated Power Access: USB and 120V outlets embedded into seating and bridge elements ensure devices stay charged in both individual and group settings.

• Premium Construction: Durable frame system of plywood panels, sheet webbing, and Bretford’s signature 14-gauge flat oval tubing ensures long-term comfort and strength.

The MOTIV™ Seating System provides a comprehensive solution for creating comfortable, tech-enabled, and highly flexible spaces in corporate, educational, and public settings. The design allows users to move seamlessly between focused solo work and casual group interaction, all while staying connected. The system is now widely adopted in lounge areas, learning commons, cafés, and co-working spaces, reinforcing Bretford’s leadership in intelligent furniture systems.