Exhibitor Article
Designing Life-Friendly Spaces with a Mediterranean Soul and Global Vision
Designing Life-Friendly Spaces with a Mediterranean Soul and Global Vision
Written by Actiu | Posted by ORGATEC India
Founded in 1968 by Vicente Berbegal in Castalla, Alicante, Actiu has evolved from a small family workshop into Spain’s leading company in the design and manufacture of furniture for workspaces, hospitality, and public environments. For more than five decades, the company has combined innovation, design, and sustainability to create environments that enhance wellbeing, productivity, and human connection.
At its core lies a clear mission: to design “Life-Friendly Spaces”—spaces that make people feel better when they leave than when they arrived.
From a Family Dream to a Global Brand
Actiu’s story begins with a visionary spirit. In the late 1960s, when televisions were still a rarity, a young Vicente Berbegal foresaw that every home would soon need furniture to accommodate them. His intuition led to a series of functional, accessible products that redefined Spanish home design. Over time, that same entrepreneurial mindset expanded into the professional environment, leading to the creation of ergonomic, modular, and flexible office furniture that evolved with changing work cultures.
More than 50 years later, that same vision continues to guide the company—now under the leadership of the second generation of the Berbegal family. Vince Berbegal, Managing Director of Actiu GmbH in Germany, plays a key role in the brand’s international expansion, bringing Actiu’s Mediterranean warmth and design philosophy to new markets such as Central Europe and Asia.
A Commitment to Sustainable Innovation
In 2008, Actiu took a decisive step toward sustainability and innovation with the creation of its Technology Park in Castalla, a 191,400-square-metre facility that embodies the company’s commitment to people and the planet.
Designed to be energy-efficient and self-sufficient long before sustainability became a trend, the Park generates six times more energy than it consumes, through solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and intelligent automation.
Actiu’s Technology Park is the first industrial building in Spain, the second in Europe, and one of the top five worldwide to achieve WELL v2 Platinum certification, which evaluates health and wellbeing in buildings. It also holds LEED Platinum certification for its environmental sustainability—making Actiu the first industrial company in the world to hold both recognitions.
These milestones are not simply badges of honour; they are proof of Actiu’s conviction that design and sustainability can coexist harmoniously—creating environments that respect nature while enhancing human life.
Local Manufacturing, Global Reach
Actiu proudly designs and manufactures 95% of its products within a 30-kilometre radius of its headquarters in Castalla. This local production model ensures total control over quality, efficiency, and environmental impact while supporting regional suppliers and preserving traditional craftsmanship.
From this small valley in southeastern Spain, Actiu exports to more than 90 countries, proving that a company rooted in local values can have a truly global impact. Each product, from a chair to a complete workspace system, reflects the brand’s unique blend of Mediterranean creativity and European precision.
As Vince Berbegal explains, “We think locally and act globally. We invest in people, infrastructure, and innovation in our homeland—while creating solutions for the world.”
Designing Life-Friendly Spaces
For Actiu, design is not just about furniture—it is about how people live, work, and connect within spaces. The company’s design philosophy, “Life-Friendly Spaces,” seeks to humanize work environments through comfort, flexibility, and emotional wellbeing.
Modern offices are no longer places defined by desks and chairs. They are hybrid ecosystems that blend focus, collaboration, and creativity. Actiu’s collections respond to these needs with versatile, ergonomic, and aesthetic solutions: modular workstations, height-adjustable tables, acoustic panels, and seating that adapts to the rhythm of each user.
From offices to airports, hospitals, and universities, Actiu’s designs aim to create positive experiences. As the company often says, “Spaces should make you feel better—not worse.” Natural light, biophilic materials, colour psychology, and acoustic wellbeing are at the heart of this philosophy.
Adapting to a Changing World
Actiu’s ability to evolve has been key to its success. During the 2008 financial crisis, the company diversified into new sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, and public institutions. After the global pandemic, it once again adapted—responding to the rise of hybrid work and the redefinition of the office as a space of creativity and belonging.
Today, Actiu leads projects that blend technology, flexibility, and wellbeing—from foldable desks with hydraulic systems to intelligent furniture designed for dynamic environments. These solutions embody Actiu’s vision of Cool Working, a concept that promotes balance between productivity and personal fulfilment.
The Mediterranean DNA
Beyond products and innovation, Actiu’s strength lies in its Mediterranean soul—a way of doing business that combines warmth, creativity, and authenticity. This cultural identity shapes the company’s approach to design, communication, and relationships with clients and partners.
In Vince Berbegal’s words: “Our Mediterranean DNA gives us empathy and humanity. We design for people, not for trends. That is why our spaces invite collaboration, dialogue, and wellbeing.”
This human approach resonates internationally, as companies increasingly seek to create workplaces that reflect their culture and values—not just their corporate identity.
Global Expansion: From Spain to Germany and Beyond
To strengthen its international presence, Actiu has recently established Actiu GmbH, its own subsidiary in Germany. The company has opened its first showroom in Frankfurt and plans to launch two additional spaces in Munich and Berlin by 2026. Each showroom embodies the concept of “Life-Friendly Spaces,” offering immersive environments where visitors can experience how design, technology, and wellbeing converge.
Germany is just one step in Actiu’s broader global expansion strategy. The company is also reinforcing its presence in Asia, where innovation, sustainability, and modern work culture are transforming the design landscape.
Actiu at ORGATEC India: Connecting People, Spaces, and Values
As part of ORGATEC India 2025, Actiu presents its vision for the future of workspaces: spaces that connect people, foster creativity, and care for the planet. Through its collections and projects, the brand demonstrates that design can be both human and high- performing—combining aesthetics, sustainability, and emotional value.
Actiu’s participation in ORGATEC India reflects its ongoing commitment to global collaboration and knowledge exchange. The company’s Mediterranean essence, technological know-how, and sustainable production model make it an inspiring example for a new generation of companies that want to grow responsibly and purposefully.
A Legacy of Design for the Future
Over five decades after its founding, Actiu remains driven by the same energy that gave it its name—derived from the Valencian word actiu, meaning “active” and “dynamic.” This spirit continues to guide the company’s journey: creating environments that support innovation, creativity, and wellbeing.
From its Technology Park in Castalla to its new showrooms in Europe and its participation in ORGATEC India, Actiu continues to prove that design is not just about spaces—it’s about people. And when design places people at the centre, it becomes truly transformative.
Happy to participate at ORGATEC India 2025 — where design, innovation, and
sustainability converge to redefine the modern workspace.
Posted by ORGATEC India
Know more about ORGATEC India: www.orgatec-india.com
Know more about Actiu: www.actiu.com
