Introduction to Systems Furniture ID-439 Contract Design I.

Introduction to Systems Furniture

ID-439Contract Design I

The Quickbourner Team

• Germany, 1959. Two brothers developed the concept of open office layout and brought the idea to the US in 1967.

• They believed that many offices hindered work productivity. Their designs promoted good communication and flow.

• Referred to a office landscaping.• Their plans were based upon a systems analysis

of work flow and communication.• The layout was very free and non-rectilinear.

The Quickbourner Team

• People in frequent contact with each other were placed close together.

• Many acoustical problems were attempted to be corrected by the use of carpet, plants and acoustical ceiling tiles

• This new approach of “landscape” planning had a tremendous impact on the way offices were to be designed. They were flexible, efficient, open and informal.

• Americans, however, were slow to accept the idea because they didn’t want to give up their hardwall office, which were status symbols to the executives.

Open Office Landscaping

Robert Propst

• Hired by Herman Miller, Inc. in 1960• A researcher and inventor• Developed Action Office I for Herman Miller

and introduced it in 1964.• A panel based system using a vertical

approach• Despite what the modern office has

become, his goal was to get away from boxes and corridors.

• The use of the panels violated the Quickborner concept but was widely accepted as open office landscaping.

“Grade A”Systems Manufacturers

• Haworth, Inc. : Unigroup, Places, Premise, Moxie, and Compose

• Steelcase : Series 9000, Avenir, Answer, Kick

• Herman Miller: Action Office, Ethospace, Resolve

• Allsteel: Align, Terrace, Concensys• Teknion: T/O/S, Leverage, Transit,

Lyft • Knoll: Dividends, Equity, Morrison,

Reff• Kimball: Cetra, Traxx, Footprint

Types of “Systems”

• Non-Panel Based (Desking Systems)

• Panel Based (Universal connectors or handed connectors)

• Post and Panel• Off-Modular• Reconditioned – Refurbished – As-

is

Non-Panel Based Systems:

• Haworth Race (a post and beam system)Haworth Race (a post and beam system)

Non-Panel Based Systems:

• Haworth PatternsHaworth Patterns

Haworth Patterns

Freestanding Desking System:

• Haworth Haworth “If” “If”

Freestanding Desking System:

• Knoll Knoll Upstart Upstart

Panel Based System

• Monolithic• Stacked or

Segmented• Off-modular

What is Panel Creep?

Planning with Systems Furniture

Panel Terminology

• Monolithic• Raceway• Topcap • Siderail• Honeycomb core• Monocoque

Construction• Adjustable

levelors/glides• Carpet grippers

Panel System

• Top Channel Raceway

Top Cap, Side Rail and Corner Post

• Side rails showing “slots” to hang components into.

• Corner post

Variable height connectors

• Variable Ht. Connectors

• Covers exposed panel end when using two different panel heights

Heights and Widths will vary

Electrical Systems

• Haworth has an 8 Wire System• 3 Hot, 3 Neutrals, 1 ground and 1 Isolated

Ground• Max 16 amps per circuit• All manufacturers have a different system

Electrical Systems

Lay-inPower Base RacewayBeltline PowerPorted PanelFlex ConnectorProgrammable Receptacle

Steelcase Answer

Components

Worksurfaces

Standard Shapes

Components

Worksurfaces

Edge Options

Wireways – no extra chargeEdge Options

3mm T-Mold ($) - List Prices 10% less than Edgeband

3mm Edgeband ($$) - 4% less than Premise today

Cascade T-Mold ($$$) - 7% more than Edgeband

Components

Upper Storage

Places, UniGroup, UniGroup Too

Slider Doors – Barn Doors

Steelcase Answer

Steelcase Kick

Haworth Compose

Haworth Compose

Haworth Unigroup Too

Steelcase 9000

Herman Miller Action Office

Off Modular Systems

• Haworth Moxie with up-mount overheads, toppers

and “legs” support ends.

Haworth Moxie

• Moxie • Stackable• Legs• Scrims

Collaborative/ Teaming Station

Collaborative/ Teaming Typicals