Global COVID-19 lockdowns fundamentally changed the working experience of millions of people. Working from home was essential for everyone apart from key workers, and many became accustomed to their own company while working on their laptops.

With the majority of office-based employees having returned to their workplaces, for at least part of their week, some workers are lamenting their loss of home comforts (and privacy).

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London-based designer Zhuowen (Ellie) Wang says her UNDER desk concept could help.

Created for Wang's Royal College of Art (RCA) Design Products Master's degree, UNDER is a standing desk designed for open-plan offices, with room underneath that can be transformed into a private space.

According to Wang: "UNDER is a high office desk designed for open-plan offices that brings a new working culture and humanises the working environment. Rebuilding the space under the desk offers workers personal enclosures and satisfies their inner needs."

She told CGTN Europe: "Inside the space underneath the desk people can sit on the floor and read or have a cup of tea while they're working. The storage door can be used as a table."

"It has four pieces of see-through acrylic sides which give the worker privacy, while providing them daylight," she added.

Three lightweight Velcro-attached curtains allow workers to be completely closed off from their colleagues, while a seating mat gives added comfort.

Wang recently sought the opinion of visitors to her exhibit at the RCA Graduate Design Show. "One of the most interested was a lady who brings her dog to work." 

Originally from Shenzhen in China, Wang would like to work with a commercial partner to bring UNDER to market.

"I think it has commercial value, but needs more marketing research before then."