Introduction to Systems Furniture

1. Introduction to Systems Furniture ID-439 Contract Design I

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Open Office Landscaping

5. 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.

6. “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

7. Types of “Systems” • Non-Panel Based (Desking Systems) • Panel Based (Universal connectors or handed connectors) • Post and Panel • Off-Modular • Reconditioned – Refurbished – As-is

8. Non-Panel Based Systems: • Haworth Race (a post and beam system)

9. Non-Panel Based Systems: • Haworth Patterns

10. Haworth Patterns

11. Freestanding Desking System: • Haworth “If”

12. Freestanding Desking System: • Knoll Upstart

13. Panel Based System • Monolithic • Stacked or Segmented • Off-modular

14. What is Panel Creep?

15. Planning with Systems Furniture

16. Panel Terminology • Monolithic • Raceway • Topcap • Siderail • Honeycomb core • Monocoque Construction • Adjustable levelors/glides • Carpet grippers

17. Panel System • Top Channel Raceway

18. Top Cap, Side Rail and Corner Post • Side rails showing “slots” to hang components into. • Corner post

19. Variable height connectors • Variable Ht. Connectors • Covers exposed panel end when using two different panel heights

20. Heights and Widths will vary

21. 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

22. Electrical Systems Lay-inPower Base RacewayBeltline PowerPorted PanelFlex ConnectorProgrammable Receptacle

23. Steelcase Answer

24. Components

25. Components

26. Components

27. Slider Doors – Barn Doors Steelcase Kick Steelcase Answer

28. Haworth Compose

29. Haworth Compose

30. Haworth Unigroup Too

31. Steelcase 9000

32. Herman Miller Action Office

33. Off Modular Systems • Haworth Moxie with up-mount overheads, toppers • and “legs” support ends.

34. Haworth Moxie • Moxie • Stackable • Legs • Scrims

35. Collaborative/ Teaming Station

36. Collaborative/ Teaming Typicals