Designing For Change: Haworth Tests Hypermobile Spaces with Sleeping Giant Capital
A pilot project at WMU’s teaching site reveals how structured flexibility can improve work and learning experiences.
September 14, 2026 – Sleeping Giant Capital (SGC), a private equity firm and teaching site for Western Michigan University (WMU), partnered with Haworth to explore a new approach to flexibility in work and learning environments. Faced with rapid growth and evolving instructional needs, SGC and Haworth transformed a 2,900-square-foot space into a hypermobile environment designed to seamlessly support individual work, collaboration, presentations and discussion.
Grounded in research, Haworth studied how space, tools and behavioral cues influence performance, using interviews and activity mapping to develop a modular kit-of-parts featuring mobile tables, seating and screens. Inspired by theatrical scene changes, the design incorporates preplanned spatial configurations, supported by a Scene Playbook that helps users quickly adapt the space for different activities.
Throughout the spring semester, Haworth evaluated the environment through surveys, observations, focus groups and interviews. Findings showed strong support for collaboration and engagement while identifying opportunities to further enhance focused work and wellbeing. The project demonstrates effective flexibility is achieved not through endless options, but by providing people with the right tools, guidance and ownership to support changing needs.
“The SGC project demonstrates how organizations can move beyond traditional notions of flexibility, creating environments that actively support changing needs,” says Haworth Lead Research Specialist, Kristin Reddick. “As work and learning continue to evolve, Haworth uses these insights to help organizations design spaces that foster engagement, collaboration and performance while giving users the confidence to adapt their environment with purpose.”
For photos and details of Sleeping Giant Capital’s space design, click here.
Haworth believes great spaces empower people to thrive and work their best. As a leading global furniture maker, the company partners with customers, dealers and influencers to create spaces that result in effective people and efficient real estate. Haworth’s customer-first approach comes from an entrepreneurial spirit, design-forward thinking and multicultural perspectives. With a heritage in the workplace, Haworth is the founding brand of Haworth Group. The Haworth Group designs at the intersection of people and environments with brands like Haworth, AIS, BuzziSpace, Cappellini, Cassina, Ceccotti Collezioni, Heller, Hushoffice, Interni, JANUS et Cie, Karakter, Luminaire, Luxury Living Group, Poltrona Frau, Tayco, Tuohy and Zanotta.
Founded in 1948, Haworth Group is a privately-owned company operating in more than 150 countries through a global network of 400 dealers and 8,000 employees. Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, U.S.A., the company has sales of $2.7 billion USD.