Fast changing office environments demand more flexible furniture solutions

Office World News, Jun 2001 by Geiger, John

ERGONOMICS ARE STILL KEY

As in the 80s and 90s, ergonomics is more than ever a key issue for interior designers and corporate clients of all kinds. Desks need to adapt to a user's needs or preferences of the moment. In "Technology" and "Progressive" clients, heightadjustable desks need to fit to a particular user or task and convert from seated to standing use at will. Such flexibility is important, since it comes at a time when the new federal legislation will give workers more protection against repetitive motion injuries, minimizing physical or ergonomic stresses of jobs including those of computer users.

A conference table today may need to become an individual or team workstation the next day. Ergonomic flexibility gives "Technology" and "Progressive" clients the ability to use office furniture as a tool to help keep employees, since it can be fitted to an individual user's preferred work style or ongoing responsibilities.

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Whether a corporate client is in the "Traditional," "Technology," or "Progressive" categories, they each want furniture that, regardless of function and cost, is "timeless" in design, use of materials, construction, and detailing. This is especially necessary with mobile and heightadjustable furniture! Quality office furniture today of any kind, including modular/mobile and heightadjustable, should have a trouble-free life expectancy for continuous daily use of at least 15 years. While most office furniture continues to be made of either steel or wood, a trend has developed for a mix of materials; desk and table legs made of pressure-cast aluminum with adjustable connection points, steel and aluminum die-cast workstation and chair components, less costly wood-veneer tops, and other visible surfaces made from replenishable sources.

Clients today, in all categories, prefer natural wood finishes, augmented by water-based or "light" stains. Clients should not be able to smell the finish, and both manufacturer and specifier today have to be alert to any potential office environment health problem their product or spec may cause.

REPUTATION, PRICING AND GUARANTEES

A major concern for any project designer, corporate client, or dealer under a tight deadline is the furniture manufacturer's track record. Prospective clients today in any of the three categories expect references and want to visit the manufacturer's operations for on-site planning meetings and plant tours. Along with competitive pricing, many clients want a guaranteed delivery date, with a built-in penalty if missed.

FUTURE-FLEXIBLE

The relationship between office furniture manufacturers and their clients in the years immediately ahead will hinge greatly on flexibility. The ability to change quickly will be important so neither side falls behind their respective competitors.

In today's contract interior design and multilevel corporate environment, while the terms "Traditional," "Technology-driven" and "Progressive" will inevitably change, a part of the designer's and dealer's role will be to ensure that client furniture keeps pace with change whenever, whereever, and however it occurs.