Agora

AGORA

INTRODUCTIONTask ThulemaTeamandtutors

RESEARCHCompetitorsOpenOfficesFieldworkSurveyAnalysis

REQUIREMENTSFunctionalAesthetical

IDEASSketches

CONCEPTKioskBoard+X

PRODUCTMock-UpDrawingsRenderingsTechnicalDrawingsPrototype

REFERENCES

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

4456

78

13162426

292929

3232

343436

383840434858

60

61

THE OFFICE

THE FURNITURE

4 Introduction

The aim of this project was to find new solutions for teamwork furniture in open space.

Ininformationandknowledgebasedsocietieslikeoursmostoftheworkisdoneinoffices.Thewayhowworkisdonechangedrapidlyoverthelastdecadesduetonewtechnologiesandmanagementmethods—notsomuchtheworkenvironmentitself.Workingprocessesaremoreprojectandteamworkbased,workingstructuresaremoreflexibleandflat,officespacesaremoreopenandtheatmosphereintheofficeandthewell-beingoftheemployeeisimportantassuch-butthefurniturestayedquitethesame.

5Introduction

www.thulema.ee www.kitman.ee

WeworkedwithandfortheEstonianofficefurniturebrandTHULEMA.Since2010ThulemaisownedbyKITMAN,anEstoniandeveloper,manufacturerandmarketeerofshopfittingsandpublicspaces.Theirexpertiseliesinmetalprocessing.WevisitedTHULEMA’sshowroominTallinntogetfamiliarwiththeirproductsandKITMAN’sfactorytoseehowtheyproducetheirgoods.

Showroom

6 Introduction

The team:

The tutors:

Ourteambroughttogetherthreedifferentnations:India,ChinaandGermanyandtwoprofessions:productdesignandengineering.

Ourtutorssupportedusdeveloppingtheproductandhelpeduswhenwedidnotknowhowtocontinue.

BaolianSuoProductDesignerChina

MadhesChidamMechanicalEngineerIndia

FranziskaPorschProductDesignerGermany

PentTalvetProductDesignerEstonia

MartinPärnProductDesignerEstonia

MaarjusKirsEngineerEstonia

HenriLendEngineerEstonia

7Research

In order to develop a good product the first step was to understand the context:

THE OFFICE

8 Research

www.martela.com

MartelaisaFinishproducer.TheirdeskMyBoxislockableandmovable.Thatrelatestoaflexibleofficeenvironment.Theusercanlockitwhenheisnotthereandmoveitaway.

MyBox

First,wesearchedtheinternetforcompetingproducersofofficefurnituretofindouthowtheyinterpretthechangingneedswithintheofficeandlookedforexamplesofhowofficesarealreadyadaptedtothenewneedsoftoday.Theresearchshowedthatcompanies,bothproducersandconsumers,areawareofthechange.

9Research

SteelcaseisanU.S.Americancompany,whoissuesregularlyamagazineonworkplaceresearch.

www.steelcase.com

10 Research

www.myturnstone.com

TurnstoneisoneofSteelcase’sbrands.TheirBiviseriesoffersmodularproductsforvarioussettingsandpicturesafreshandcreativeworkingatmosphere.

Bivi

11Research

www.vitra.com

VitraisaSwissbusinessthatproducesandtradeshomeandofficefurniture.Ontheirhomepagetheyintroducetheirconcept„CitizenOffice–theproductiveoffice“,wheretheyshowthatworkingnowadaysrequiresdifferentspacesandsettingsforthevarietyoftasksemployeeshavetocarryout.Theysupposethattheofficeenvironmentdirectlyshapestheperformanceoftheemployees.

TheCitizenOffice

12 Research

www.knoll.com

KnollisanotherU.S.Americancompanywhichproducesofficefurniture.TheirAntennaWorkspacesprogramaddressessomeofthekeywordswhichhavetobebalancedinanofficeoftoday.

antennaworkspaces

13Research

Theseofficeexamplesshowthattheoccupiedofficespaceisopenanddividedbyfurnitureorfurniture-likeelementsinordertocreateislandsfordifferentkindsofwork.Thestyleiseitherplayfulorclean.

14 Research

TheFacebookofficesinPaloAlto,California,areagoodexampleofhowanofficecanbeacreativespace.Thedesignersofthisspacestatethefollowingontheirhomepage:„AtStudioO+Awebelieveworkenvironmentsgroworganicallyfromthecultureoftheclient.Ourfocusisonidentifyingandunderstandingthatcultureandtranslatingitintospatialterms.Werecognizetheeconomicandsociologicalforcesthataretransformingthewaypeopleworkandlive:theblurringboundariesbetweenhomeandoffice,theeverincreasingmobilityoftheworkforceandthefluidmovementofinformation.“(www.o-plus-a.com)

15Research

Facebookoffices

16 Research

Second,wevisitedthreedifferentofficesinTallinntogainfirst-handinsight.Wefocusedonofficesthatarelikelytosuittoourbriefofteamworkandopenspace,whichwefoundwithinthecreativeindustryandstart-ups.Retrospectivewealsoshouldhavetakenconservativeofficesinconsiderationtogetabiggerpictureofhowpeoplework.SincewewereintroducedtotheresearchmethodsofanthropologyduringourcourseatTallinnUniversity,weconductedourvisitsasfieldwork.Fieldworkisaqualitativemethodthatdistinguishesanthropologyfromotherhumanandsocialscience.Theresearchertriestoliveinoratleasttriestostudyascloseaspossibletheforeignculture.Theaimistounderstandtheculturefromthenativespointofview.Thesameideaworkedforusasdesigners,eventhoughourfieldworkwaslimitedintimeanddeepness.Wevisitedthesethreeofficestounderstandtheirculturefromtheuserspointofviewandtomakeusawareofwhatwehavetotakeinconsiderationinordertocreateagoodproduct.

17Research

Thereforewepreparedaquestionaire:

Howdidyouchangeyourofficecomparedtotheformeroneandwhy(iftheymovedrecently)?Whydoyoupromoteopenspaceoffices?Whatisthestructureofthecompany?Howdotheteamsform?Whatisthestructureofanaverageworkingday?Howmuchworkisteamworkinagroup,howmuchconcentratedworkalone?Howdoyoucommunicatewithintheoffice?Howdoyouwishtocommunicate?Whichspacescanyoudefine/name(example:kitchen,working,meeting)?Whatthingsdoyouhaveonyourdesk(useful/standingaround)?Whatthingsarehighlynecessaryonyourdesk?Howpersonalisyourdesk?Doyouhavetheneedtopersonalizeit?Whichthingsdoyoutakehomeandwhichdoyoualwaysleaveattheoffice?Doyoueatatyourdesk?Howmuchspacedoyouneedtowork?Howmuchspacedoyouneedforstorage?Doyoumovethingsaroundtheofficealot(example:computer,paperformeetings)?Doyouneedawalltovisualizethingsforyourself?Doyouworkstandingsometime?Doyouwishtodothat?

Wedidnotnecessarilyreadeveryquestionfromthepaperduringthevisits,theymoreservedasamnemonic.Otherquestionsarosespontaneouslyduringthetalkandsomederivedfromwhatwesawintheofficespace.Usuallywespentonehourinthereandonlytalkedtothepersonwehadtheappointmentwith.Thefollowingpagesshowourfindings.

18 Research

Firstfloor Upperfloor

Garage48 HUB (www.garage48.org)isaco-workingspaceforstart-upsinthefieldoftechnologyinTallinn.Theideawastogivethestart-upsoriginatingfromtheeventsGarage48isorganizingsomespacetocarryouttheirbusiness.Start-upsworkingattheHUBusuallyconsistoftwotofourpeople,butalsoindividualsworkthere.Theyusethespaceonaveragethreemonthsuntiltheyaresettledenoughtomovetotheirownoffice.Theworkingmodesaredivers:individualwork,groupwork,meetings,workshopsandget-togethers.TheHUBisaccessible24/7formembers.Thatmeansthecharacteristicsofthisofficespaceareahighfluctuationofpeople,short-termandtemporarywork,flexibleworkinghoursandamultifunctionalworkenvironment.Theupperfloorismainlyaworkingarea.Intothosethreeseperatedspacestheytriedtofitasmanydesksaspossible.Theyarenotmovedaroundbecausetheiractualconstellationistheonlypossibleforsomanyworkstations.Thesmallroomonthesidefunctionsasphoneandskypeboothsothatothersarenotdisturbed.Everymembercanrenthispersonaldesk.ButsincetheteamsandindividualschangesooftenitcanhappenthattheHUBmanageraskstomovetoanotherdesk.WhenwevisitedtheHUBatnineo’clockinthemorningtherewasonepersonworkingthere.Themanagertoldusthatmostofthepeoplecometoworkaroundlunchtime.Moreoverhetoldusthatpeoplewhorenttheirdeskdonotnecessarilyworkthereallthetime.Someprefertoworkintheloungeareasonthefirstfloororbasement.Thatmeansthatthedegreeofcapacityutilizationissuboptimal,eventhoughthemanagertoldusthattheHUBhastobeasefficientaspossiblebecauseitisnotprofitable.Buttosavemoneywasthereasonforthefurnituretheyhaveinthefirstplace.Mostofthefurnitureusedinthespaceistherebecauseitwasforfreeorcheap.Besidesthatthemanageralsomentionedthatitwashardforhimtoevenfindfurnitureinshopsortheinternetthatwouldbesuitablefortheneedsofaco-workingspace.Theareaonthefirstfloorismainlyusedbypeoplewhodonothavetheirowndeskorformeetingsandget-togethers.Theproblemhereis,thatthefurnitureisnotveryadaptabletothedifferentkindsofsettings.Thebigmeetingtableforexampleishardtoberemovedwhentheyneedanemptyspace.Themanageralsotoldusthatthebeanbagsareverypopular.ConcludingwefindthatthefurnituredoesnotmasterthegivensituationintheHUB.

office

office

office office

officebooth

meetingtablelounge

kitchen

19Research

BasementViewintoanofficeontheupperfloor

KitchenMeetingtableandbeanbags

Loungeareaonthefirstfloor

20

TANKoffice

Research

DER TANK(www.tank.ee)isagraphicdesignandmediaagencybasedinTallinn.Theirofficespaceisdesignedbyaninteriordesignerfortheirpurposeandtheyshareitwithothercompaniesintheirfield.Atthemoment25peopleworkatTANKfull-time,associatedinteamsandprojects.Thespaceischaracterizedbynaturalmaterialsandacalmandcreativeatmosphere.Thespaceconsistsofdifferentareas:theworkingareaincludingasmallhandicraftandphotographyniche,theloungeareawithlibrary,twoseperatedmeetingroomsandthekitchen.Weweretoldthatthehirarchyisnecessarilyflat,whichisreflectedintheopenworkingspace:everypartisaccessible.Neverthelesstheyusesemiperviousspacedivingelements,whichislolatetheprojectmanagersfromtherest.ThedisadvantagesofTANK’sopenworkingareaare:Firsttheylackprivatespaceforconcentratedwork,secondtheywishtheirdeskswouldbeeasiermoveableandmodularsothattheycanbuilddifferentgroupconstellationsmoreoftenandthirdtheydonothaveagoodstoragesystem,whichleadstomessydesks.Theloungeareaandthelibraryareverypopularforteammeetingsandasalternativeworkingspacetopersonaldesks.Italsooffersidletimeactivities:tabletopsoccerandfishesinthepond.Thatgivesthespaceahomelikecharacter.Themeetingroomsaremainlyusedformeetingswithaclientandlessforteammeetings,becausetheroomsareveryformal.Somepeopleusethekitchentopreparemeals,othersprefertogooutforlunchtoescapetheofficeforawhile.Thekitchenisalsousedforeventsandget-togethers.TANK’sofficeisacreativeandcommunicativespacethatreflectstheirworkingculture.Neverthelesstheystillhaveproblemsforwhichadifferentkindoffurniturewouldbeasolution.

niche

meetingroom

meetingroom

librarypond

lounge

soccer

loungeoffice

office

kitchen

21

ViewtothehandicraftandphotographynicheMeetingroom

LibraryLoungeareawithpondandtabletopsoccer

Workingarea

Research

22 Research

ThenewIncubator

Tehnopol(www.tehnopol.ee)isascienceparksituatedinTallinn.WevisitedtheiroldStartupIncubator,whichisstillinuse,butweweregivenapresentationonatotallynewbuildingwhichisunderconstruction.TheIncubatorprovidesofficeinfrastructureforstart-upcompaniesinthefieldoftechnology.TheoldIncubatorwesawisarenovatedbuilding,whichofferseitherseperatedofficestothestart-upsorworkplacesinabiggerco-workingoffice.Theroomsarearrangedalongasmallcorridor.Thefurnitureisconventional.ThenewIncubatorwillcaptureonecompletelevelinthenewbuildingandwillconsistofawiderangeoffunctionalareas:seperatedofficesofdifferentsizes,officeboxesinopenspace,skypecallingboxes,conferenceandmeetingrooms,laboratory,kitchenandlounge.InterestingfindingsaboutthenewIncubatorwere:Theywillsolvetheproblemofcablemanagementbyhavingthecableshangingfromtheceiling.Thesizeoftheofficesissoflexiblebecausetheywillusewoodenwallsthatareeasytorearrange.Bydevelopingtheopenboxesfortheopenspaceareatheytrytobalancehavingconcentratedworkandgroupworkinthesamespace.

openboxes

meetingroomsoffices

offices

offices offices offices

laboratory

skypeboxeskitchen

23Research

CablemanagementfromtheceilingCo-workingofficeintheoldIncubator

Thewoodenwallisrearrangeable

ThenewStartupIncubator

24 Research

Third,wecollectedinformationaboutworkinghabitsandenvironmentsbyamultiple-choicequestionsurvey.Baoliancompiledit,sentitandgotanswersfrom60informants.Theyhaveanaverageworkingexperienceof10years,32personsarefemaleand28maleandtheyworkmainlyinasiancountriesinthefieldsoftechnology,finance,humanresources,marketing,massmedia,medicalscience,educationandthearmy.Theresultswere:

Themajorityprefers

—toworkinacommonsizeopenspaceseperatedwithscreens—toworkinahomelikeatmosphere—tositnearthewindow—tohavetwodesksofthesize160cmon120cm—arectangulardesktoanovalorirregularshape—tohaveawalkaroundtheofficewhentheyfeeltired—nottohavepicturesoftheirfamilyontheirdesk—tochangethearrangementoftheofficefurnitureonceayear—toeatinadiningroomthanattheirdesk—tolistentomusicwithheadphonesthanviaspeakers(iftheylistentomusic)

Theyalso

—spend10percentoftheirworkingtimeperdayinmeetings—spendupto70percentoftheirworkingtimeperdayonindividualwork—usepen,paperandawatercupmostfrequentlybesidestheircomputerandphone—aredisturbedbydiscussionsofothercolleaguesandpeoplewalkingupanddown

Documentsandpapersarethethingswhichareusuallyinamessandapenisthethingmostdifficulttofindonthedesk.

ThedesignresearcherUtaBrandes(www.be-design.info)analyzed686deskson5continentsforhersurvey„Mydeskismycastle“.Ontherightsidearethreeexamples.

25Research

DesignstudioinNewYork

Deskofagermanadministrationsecretary

DesignstudioinHongkonk

26 Research

After accumulating all this information we needed to structure it. Wefoundthattheofficecontextischaracterizedbythreefactors:thetypeoforganization,theenduserandthemanagement.Theorganisationandtheenduserdefinewhatworkisdoneandhowitisdone.Managementmeansthatthereissomebodywhodecideswhatfurnitureistobebought.Thispersonusuallywantsthefurnituretoeitherimprovetheperformanceoftheemployeesandmakemoreprofitorthefurnituretosavespaceandpaylessmoneyfortherent.Thoughbeingawareofthiseconomicaluservalue,wewantedtofocusontheenduseritself,theemployee.Againwefoundthattheuserischaracterizedbyfivefactors:space,person,activity,objectsandprocess.Thesefactorscandefineeverypossiblesituationtheemployeecanbein:wherehedoeswhataswhichpersonwithwhichobjectsandduringwhattime.Forexample:Inthemorningtheprojectmanagerbriefshisteamonthenewprojectinthemeetingroombyshowingsomeslidesprojectedonthewall.Or:Thesecretaryiswritingane-mailonhercomputersittingatherdesknexttohercolleague’swhiledrinkingthecoffeeshepreparedfiveminutesagointhekitchen.Or:Thedesignerandtheengineerdiscussthetechnicaldrawingattheengineer’sdeskaftertheyaccidentallymetattheprinterontheothersideoftheroom.Wetriedtogeneratecompletelistsofthefivefactorstofinallygroupthemagain.Thisnewlayerofthreegroupshelpedustothinkabouttheproblemsthatcouldoccurinanoffice.Thegroupsare:powersupply,storage(meaningtheorganizationofobjectsandfurniture)andinteraction(referingtotheinteractionbetweentheemployeesandbetweenthefurnitureandtheemployees).

27Research

ORGANISATIONMANAGEMENT

ENDUSER

PEOPLE

—worker—manager—clients—externals

ACTIVITIES

—individual work—group work—private activities—leisure activities

SPACE

—openspacefor working—defined spaces: kitchen, (skype) meeting room, lounge, entrancearea etc.

OBJECTS

—electronic equipment—light—materials—tools—private belongings—personalized decoration

PROCESS

—activities intime—movement, noise, distractions

walkingaroundlamp

INTERACTIONSTORAGEPOWERSUPPLY

28 Research

Theproblemswefoundaccordingtothethreegroupsare:

Powersupply

—notenoughplug-ins—hardtoreach—cablesmessy(ugly,notinorder)—cablestooshort—incompatibilityofconnectors

Storage

—desksaremessy—thereisnotenoughspacetowork—thingsarenotinorder—itisdifficulttofindthings—thingsarenoteasytoreach—thereareindividualdifferencesinthewayofstoragingthings—storageisnotmadefordifferentfunctions—personalthingsareconfusedandmistakenduringgroupwork

Interaction

—furnitureishardtomove—furnitureisnotadaptabletodifferentworkingprocesses—furnitureisnotsupportinginteractionbetweenemployees—furnituredoesnotprovideenoughtemporaryprivacy—thereisnoisolationfromnoiseanddistraction—notpossibletostorefurnitureinaspacesavingway

29Requirements

WepresentedthemtoTHULEMAduringthesixthweekofthesemester.

Functionalrequirements:

—thefurnitureshouldmanagethepowersupplyandcommunicationstothebenefitoftheuser—thefurnitureshouldbeeasytomove(byoneperson)—thefurnitureshouldberearrangeableandchangeabletoadapttodifferentworkingprocesses (modular,multifunctional)—thefurnitureshouldusespaceeffectively—thefurnitureshouldprovidethepossibilitytoisolate/seperatepeopletemporarily—storageshouldbemorefunctionalandlogical—thefurnitureshouldhelpdistinguishpersonalthingsusedinagroup

Wealsodecidedontheaestheticalrequirements:

—appearsimpleandclear—communicateitsfunctionseasily—promotecommunicationandinteractionbyitsappearance—invitetheemployeestousethefurnitureactivelyandwheneverneededbyaplayful appearance—haveavarietyofmaterialswithnaturalfeel—createahomelikeatmosphere

Thinking about these problems lead to the requirements for:

THE FURNITURE

30 Requirements

Wecollectedimagestoshowourideaoftheaestheticsvisually.

31Requirements

SIMPLECLEARPLAYFUL

HOMELIKENATURAL

32 Ideas

Thoserequirementswerethebasisforourfirstsketches.

33Ideas

34 Concept

Butsoonwerealizedbythehelpofourtutorsthatourrequirementsstayedontheleveloffunctions.Wedidnothaveaconceptyet.

Martinintroducedthisideaofthedesignprocesstous:Whensomeoneperceivesaproductheinstantlyseestheaesthetics.Shortlyafterherealizesthestructureandbasedonthestructurehecanunderstandthefunctions.Whenhestartsuseingithecandiscovertheusabilityoftheproductandwhenheusesitregularlytheproductcanstarttomeansomethingtohim.Thedesignprocessgoesinrevers.Thedesignershouldknowthemeaningoftheproductbeforehethinksabouttheusability,beforehedefinesthefunctionsandfinallydesignsthestructureandtheaesthetics.

PentshowedusaspeechofSimonSinekabout„Howgreatleadersinspireaction“(http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html).Thebottomlineofthespeechisthatmostofthecompaniesknowwhatproductstheydoandhowtheydoit.Buttheyarelackingofthereasonwhytheydoit.Eventhoughthisshouldbethestartingpointofeverysuccessfulidea.

Bothimpulseshelpedustothinkaboutourconcept.Stillittookseveralstepsuntilitwasfullydeveloped.Wewentbacktothinkabouttheofficeasawhole.Ourfindingwasthattheofficemainlyconsists,speakingonamoreabstractlevel,ofhorizontalsurfacesandarchives.Thesurfacessupporttheworkinprogress.Thearchivesstorethetemporaryorlong-termresultsofthework.Whatismissinginthissequenceisthepointbeforethesurfacesandarchives,wherewegetthetoolsandthematerialsweneedtostartworking.Thatleadtotheideaofacentralsupplypointwithintheoffice.WecalleditKIOSK,becauseitfunctionslikeakioskineverydaylife.WemadealistofwhatactivitiesandfunctionsourKIOSKshouldsupportandarrangedthemaccordingtoourpreference:

1 meetingandtalking2 informationboard(formalandinformalinformation)3 magazinedisplay4 toolsandmaterialssupply(likepencilsandpaper)5 coffeemachine6 seating

AsyoucanseewefavoredthesocialcomponentsthisKIOSKcanoffer.WewantedtheKIOSKtonotonlysupplytoolsandmaterialsbutalsoinformationandinspirationbyinvitingtostaythereforawhileandreadortalk.

35Concept

Kiosk(metaphor):meetingpointinthepublicsellingnewspapers,magazines,drinks,food,cigarettes,tickets

Archive

Surface

36 Concept

In summary: Our concept is to design a furniture that helps employees to communicate, to get inspired, to be creative and to share ideas and knowledge.

WetriedtotranslatethisideaintosketchesandendedupthinkingaboutamodularsystemthatwouldallowtheusertobuildhisKIOSKoutofdifferentfunctionstailoredtohisneeds.Butthatdidnotleadtoasatisfyingresult.Tosimplifythingswedecidedtofocusononefunctionwefindcharacterizeswhatthefurnitureissupposedtodobestandthenaddfunctionstoit.Wedecidedontheboard,becauseitisanecessarytoolduringmeetingsanddiscussionstoshareideasandalsocanfunctionasascreentoseperatethemeetingspacefromothers.Startingfromtheboardwedidsketchesagainandfoundthearchetypeofourfurniture.Italreadyhadthethreefunctionsthefinalproducthasnow:theboardtowriteandstickpaperonit,shelvestostorethingslikepencils,paper,magazinesandbooksandastooltositdownifthemeetinglastslonger.

Thiskindoffurniturecompletestheopenofficesystemandusesthewholepotentialoftheopenspace.Inotherwords:Onlyifanewkindoffurnitureisusedincombinationwiththeconventionalfurniture,thevalueoftheopenspaceismaximised.

WenamedourproductAGORA.Itisthenameofapublicmeetingpointinthecityinancientgreece.

37Concept

Boardsketches

Kiosksketches

38 Product

Afterwehadthearchetypeonpaperwediscussedhowtoputthethreecomponentstogetherandbuiltacardboardmock-uptofigureouthowitworks.Theideawas,thatthecomponentscanbeusedasoneandalsobetakenapartandusedseperately.Thestoolfunctionsasacarrierfortheshelfandtheboardatthesametime.

Thedrawingsshowtheuseandthedimensions.Theyaregearedtothedifferentpositionstheusercanbein:standing,sittingandleaning.

39Product

40 Product

Afterwediscussedthemock-upwithourtutorswesimplifiedourdesign.Theboardandtheshelvesbecameoneelementwhichismovableandcarriestwostoolsatitsbottom.

WeshowedthefollowingslidestoTHULEMAduringthe13thweekofthesemester.

TheuseshowsthatAGORAdoesnotonlycombinethreedifferentcomponents(board,shelves,stools)butisabletocreatedifferentspaceswithintheopenspacetailoredtotheneedsoftheemployees.

Weselectedthematerialsaccordingtoourrequirementsofhavingavarietyofmaterialswhichcreateahomelikeatmosphere:steelsheetmetal(whitecoating),woodenframe(preferablyashwood)andgreyfeltasamaterialwithawarmtexture.

41Product

42 Product

Ittookthelastfourweeksofthesemestertobuildtheprototype.Wemadechangesonthedimensions,addeddetailsandhadtoansweralotofquestions:Howarethewoodpartsconnected?Howisthesheetmetaljoinedwiththewoodframe?Howtomakethesheetmetalstiffenough?Howdotheshelveslooklikeindetail?Howaretheshelvesconnectedtothewoodframe?Howdothestoolslooklikesothattheyarestablebutproducedassimpleaspossible?

MadhesbuiltAGORAinSolidWorksandwasincontactwithPentandtheengineerTarmoLilosonatKITMAN,tomakesurethatitispossibletoproducethepartsastheywere.

Thefollowingpagesshowtheresultsasrenderings,technicaldrawingsandfinallyasprototype.

Whathappenedduringthistime:Wechangedthewidthofthefurniturefrom500mmto750mm.Eventhoughwewantedtokeeptheappearanceaslightandslimaspossiblewefoundthatitisnecessaryfortheusertoproperlyworkontheboard.Tostiffenthesheetmetalboardweaddedtwobendstoitsshape.Theoneinthemiddlefunctionsaspenholderandtheoneatthetopreplacesthewoodpart.Fortheprototypetheboardisproducedintwoparts(p.52),becauseitwaseasierforKITMANtodo.Butitispossibletopunchtheshapeasonepart.Everysteelmetalpartispowder-coatedinwhite.Thewoodframehastobeassembledaroundthesheetmetalboard.Itholdsthesheetmetalbyagrooveinthewood(p.50).Fortheprototypethewoodframeismadeupofoak.Theshelvesarenotdirectlyconnectedtothewoodframe.Theyaresupportedbya8mmbentsolidsteelbar(p.54).TofindouttheproperdiameterforthebarMaarjusKirshelpedustocalculateit.The8mmbarisabletosupportaweightof20kg.Weplannedtheshelvestobemadeupofgreysyntheticfelt.Thefiveshelveswouldbemoldedinonepartandthencutout.Theyarelyingonthesteelbarconstruction,retainedbytwobendsontheirlongersides(p.55).Wegavetheirsurfaceawavetexture(p.55),whichmakesthestoredobjectsbetterholdontotheshelveswhenthefurnitureismoved.Fortheprototypewewerenotabletomoldthefelt.Thisiswhytheshelvesfortheprototypearemadeupofsteelsheetmetalcoveredwithfelt.Alsothestoolsaresupposedtobemoldedoutofgreysyntheticfelt.Wewantedtheirappearancetobeassimpleaspossible.Thebasicformoriginatesfromthewoodframe.Theyarecuppedandbythehandholdonthebuttomtheycanalsobeusedasacontainer.Tomakethemstableweaddedabendonthefrontandbackside.Fortheprototypewemadethemupofrigidfoamwhichwecoveredwithfelt.Thecoasterwheelsenablethefurnituretomove.Twoofthemaresupposedtohaveastopper.

43Product

44 Product

45Product

Frontview Backview

Topview

Sideview

46

Useasashelf

Useasaspacedivider

Product

47

Useasashelfinanotherway

Useasahalfopentemporarymeetingplace

Product

48 Product

30

33

5

95

5

30

64

5

95°

12

55

370

95°

60

400

750

40

0

17

00

750

650

4321

A3

Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Madhes

Qty:

E

1:10

Open office furniture - Technical drawing17/05/2012Mr. MARTIN/PENT

5 6

APPDREQ'DREV

REVISIONS

DESCRIBITION

ANGLE:

XXX ± 0.2 ± 2°

DATE

AC

XX ± 0.5X ± 1.0DECIMALS:

3rd ANGLE PROJECTIONTOLERANCES

(UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN MM

PROHIBITED.

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL

Finish:

Sheet: 1 of 01

Scale:X'Ref No:Sheet size:

Material:Project/Title:

Approved by date:Approved by:Date:Drawn by:

www.ttu.ee

CLIENT: TULEMATALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

654321

DC

BA

ED

B

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF AL-TECH INST. ANY REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF AL-TECH INSTRUMENTATION IS

17/05/2012

SolidWorks Student License Academic Use Only

49Product

30

33

5

95

5

30

64

5

95°

12

55

370

95°

60

400

750

40

0

17

00

750

650

4321

A3

Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Madhes

Qty:

E

1:10

Open office furniture - Technical drawing17/05/2012Mr. MARTIN/PENT

5 6

APPDREQ'DREV

REVISIONS

DESCRIBITION

ANGLE:

XXX ± 0.2 ± 2°

DATE

AC

XX ± 0.5X ± 1.0DECIMALS:



PROHIBITED.


Finish:

Sheet: 1 of 01


Material:Project/Title:


www.ttu.ee


654321

DC

BA

ED

B


17/05/2012


50 Product

32

1

A3

4

Qty: 1

E

1:10

Open office furniture -W

ooden stucture

± 2°

25/05/2012M

r. MAR

TIN/PEN

T

DATE

Tallinn, Estonia

5REQ'D

REV

REVISIO

NS

DESCRIB

ITIO

N

AN

GLE:

XXX ± 0.2

XX ± 0.5

Mr. M

adhes

APPD

6A

X ± 1.0D

ECIM

ALS:

3rd AN

GLE PR

OJEC

TION

TOLER

AN

CES

(UN

LESS OTH

ERW

ISE SPECIFIED

) ALL D

IMEN

SION

S AR

E IN M

M

PRO

HIB

ITED.

PRO

PRIETA

RY A

ND

CO

NFID

ENTIA

L

Finish:

Sheet: 1 of 2

Scale:X'R

ef No:

Sheet size:

Material: O

ak Wood

Project/Title:

Approved by date:

Approved by:

Date:

Draw

n by:

www.ttu.ee

CLIEN

T: TULEM

ATALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

65

43

21

D C B A

E D BC

THE IN

FOR

MA

TION

CO

NTA

INED

IN TH

IS DR

AW

ING

IS THE

SOLE PR

OPER

TY OF A

L-TECH

INST. A

NY R

EPRO

DU

CTIO

N

IN PA

RT O

R A

S A W

HO

LE WITH

OU

T THE W

RITTEN

PER

MISSIO

N O

F AL-TEC

H IN

STRU

MEN

TATIO

N IS

17/05/2012

65

0

75

0

1700

85°

85° 3

0

95°

40

0

60

30

95°

400

75

0

SolidWorks Student License

Academ

ic Use O

nly

Woodframe

51Product

Woodframewithsheetmetalboard

Oakwoodframe

40

0

750

750

650

17

00

670

85°

85°

95°

30 30

95°

400

60

5

A3

Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Madhes

Qty: 1

1

Open office furniture -Wooden stucture with sheet metal board

± 2°

25/05/2012Mr. MARTIN/PENT

DATE APPDREQ'DREV

E

2

DESCRIBITION

ANGLE:

XXX ± 0.2XX ± 0.5

X ± 1.0DECIMALS:

3rd ANGLE PROJECTION

1:10

REVISIONS

3 4

TOLERANCES


PROHIBITED.


Finish:

Sheet: 1 of 2


Material: Oak WoodProject/Title:


www.ttu.ee


654321

DC

BA

ED

BC

A

65


17/05/2012


52 Product

PART8

finished product details

White matte color powder coat

Sheet metal 1.2mm,

5 2x

Bending drawings

A3

Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Madhes

Qty: 1

1 2

DESCRIBITION

ANGLE:


DATE APPDREQ'DREV

X'Ref No:

E

1:10

Open office furniture -

XXX ± 0.2XX ± 0.5

X ± 1.0DECIMALS:

3rd ANGLE PROJECTIONSheet size:

REVISIONS

3 4

TOLERANCES


PROHIBITED.


Finish: White matte color powder coat

Sheet: 1 of 2

Scale:

Sheet metal Board part1

± 2°PERMISSION OF AL-TECH INSTRUMENTATION IS

Sheet metal 1.2mm ThickProject/Title:


www.ttu.ee


654321

DC

BA

ED

BC

A

65

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF AL-TECH INST. ANY REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN

Material:

17/05/2012

DO

WN

8

5.2

9°

R 3

3.8

0

DO

WN

9

4.7

1°

R 0

.30

UP

9

0.0

0°

R 2

968

34

1082

9

33

9

9

51

993.4

10

5

34

1.2

67

0

670

97

9.5

00

85.

29°

62.8 R33.8

90°

R2

93

3.9

17.3

15

94.7

1°


670

68

0.5

90°

R2

20.7

94.7

1°

66

7.3

14

1.2

Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Madhes

Qty: 1

E

A4

Sheet size: Sheet metal Board part2


DATE APPDREQ'DREV

REVISIONS

1:10

1

ANGLE:

XXX ± 0.2XX ± 0.5

X ± 1.0DECIMALS:

3rd ANGLE PROJECTIONTOLERANCESOpen office furniture -

DESCRIBITION

2 3


PROHIBITED.


Finish: White matte color powder coat

Sheet: 2 of 2

Scale:X'Ref No: ± 2°PERMISSION OF AL-TECH INSTRUMENTATION IS

Sheet metal 1.2mm thickProject/Title:


www.ttu.ee


654321

DC

BA

ED

BC

A

654


Material:

17/05/2012

White matte color powder coat

Benbing drawings

finished product details

5

PART9

Sheet metal 1.2mm,

2x

Bending drawings

DO

WN

8

5.2

9°

R 0

.30

UP

9

0.0

0°

R 2

703

5

668

9

67

0

5

36.5


Sheetmetalboard

53

Assembledsheetmetalboard

Product

54 Product

84

°

X

73

R15

73

8

130

Note: 8mm round bar

ITEM NO. PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QTY.

1 rack1 support round bar X=139 2




Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Madhes

Qty: 1

E

A3

Sheet size:

rack support round bar


DATE APPDREQ'DREV

REVISIONS

1:2

1

ANGLE:

XXX ± 0.2XX ± 0.5

X ± 1.0DECIMALS:

3rd ANGLE PROJECTIONTOLERANCESOpen office furniture -

DESCRIBITION

2 3


PROHIBITED.


Finish:

Sheet: 8 of 08

Scale:X'Ref No: ± 2°PERMISSION OF AL-TECH INSTRUMENTATION IS

Sheet barProject/Title:


www.ttu.ee


654321

DC

BA

ED

BC

A

654


Material:

17/05/2012


ITEM NO. PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QTY.

1 Shelve 1 X=147 Y=650 1

2 Shelve 2 X=198 Y=650 1

3 Shelve 3 X=249 Y=650 1

4 Shelve 4 X=298.5 Y=650 1

5 Shelve 5 X=330 Y=750 1

Mr. Madhes

Qty: 1

E

1:5

Open office furniture -Shelves17/05/2012Mr. MARTIN/PENT

DATE APPDREQ'DREV

REVISIONS

DESCRIBITION

Tallinn, Estonia

A3 XXX ± 0.2XX ± 0.5

X ± 1.0DECIMALS:



± 2°ANGLE:

1 2

PROHIBITED.


Finish:

Sheet: 8 of 08

Scale:X'Ref No:Sheet size:PERMISSION OF AL-TECH INSTRUMENTATION IS

Sheet metalProject/Title:


www.ttu.ee


654321

DC

BA

ED

BC

A

6543


Material:

17/05/2012

UP

8

5.0

0°

R 1

UP

8

5.0

0°

R 1

9

X

9

Y

1.2


Shelvesmadeupofsteelsheetmetalfortheprototype

Shelfsupport

55Product

Calculation:aneightmmsolidsteelbarcancarry20kg

Shelfsupportwithshelf Assemblyoftheprototype

Theshelfissupposedtobemadeupofmoldedsyntheticfelt.Thewavestructurekeepsobjectsfromfallingoff.

56 Product

A3 Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. M

adhes

Qty:

E

1:5

Open office furniture - C

hair17/05/2012

Mr. M

ARTIN

/PENT

DATE

APPD

REQ'D

REV

12

DESCRIB

ITIO

N

AN

GLE:

XXX ± 0.2

XX ± 0.5X ± 1.0

DEC

IMA

LS:

3rd AN

GLE PR

OJEC

TION

± 2°

REVISIO

NS

34

TOLER

AN

CES

(UN

LESS OTH

ERW

ISE SPECIFIED

) ALL D

IMEN

SION

S AR

E IN M

M

PRO

HIB

ITED.

PRO

PRIETA

RY A

ND

CO

NFID

ENTIA

L

Finish:

Sheet: 1 of 01

Scale:X'R

ef No:

Sheet size:

Material:

Project/Title:

Approved by date:

Approved by:

Date:

Draw

n by:

www.ttu.ee

CLIEN

T: TULEM

ATALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

65

43

21

D C B A

E D BC A

65

THE IN

FOR

MA

TION

CO

NTA

INED

IN TH

IS DR

AW

ING

IS THE

SOLE PR

OPER

TY OF A

L-TECH

INST. A

NY R

EPRO

DU

CTIO

N

IN PA

RT O

R A

S A W

HO

LE WITH

OU

T THE W

RITTEN

PER

MISSIO

N O

F AL-TEC

H IN

STRU

MEN

TATIO

N IS

17/05/2012

33

0

25

5

400

10

0

R13

53

375

36

10 T

hic

k

36

37

5

R10

TY

P

SolidWorks Student License

Academ

ic Use O

nly

Stool

57Product

Thestoolsfortheprototypearemadeupofrigidfoamcoveredwithsyntheticfelt

58 Product

Prototype

59Product

60

—www.thulema.ee—www.kitman.ee—www.martela.com—www.steelcase.com—www.myturnstone.com—www.vitra.com—www.knoll.com—www.o-plus-a.com—www.garage48.org—www.tank.ee—www.tehnopol.ee—www.be-design.info—http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html

—Duffy,Francis:Thenewoffice.London,1997(ConranOctopusLimited)

References:

References

Pent,Martin,MaarjusandHenriforyourenduringhelpwitheverything.ReinErdelforbuildingthewoodframefortheprototype.Thulema(IloRannuandTarmoLiloson)forproducingthemetalpartsfortheprototype.NordifaABforsponsoringthefeltforthestoolsandshelves.

Thank you:

61Acknowledgments

Spring2012www.design-engineering.ee

Agora

Business

madhes 17052012

madhes 17052012

madhes 17052012

martinpent

martinpent

steel sheet

grey synthetic

sheet metal